Transcript
Page 1: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

your very best health amp care

CareNovateMagazine

A SOCIAL HEALTH amp MEDICATION LITERACY PUBLICATIONw w w c a r e n o v a t e m a g c o m

Doctor Graduates fromChemotherapy

TheCaregiving

+ HealthLiteracy

IssueKayak of

Geriatric CareCariloop

Expert Interviews

Denise Brown Helen Osborne Joni Aldrich

FallWinter Issue 2 2013Our Hashtag is Carenmag

Role SwitchCaregivers

Nurses At Home

Elder Care Options Part 2

Gluten FoodLabeling UpdateGreat News

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovate Magazineraising breast cancer awareness

Not just in Ocober but everydayFACTS ABOUT BREAST CANCER

Breast Cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer inWomen worldwide

It is the leading cause of cancer death among Women globally

More than 50 of women over the age of 40 fail to get a mamogramon an annual basis

)()()()()()()()()(

Less than 5 of US breast cancer cases are in women under 40

ooooooooooo

1 in 8 US Woman will be diagnosed

XXXXXXXXXX

Breast cancer death is 41 higher in African American womenthan Caucacian women although the incidence is lower

==============Every 3 minutes a women is diagnosed

Over 2000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013

Do your self breast ExaminationsSchedule Your Mamogram Today

3 MagazineIssue 2

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovate Magazineraising breast cancer awareness

Not just in Ocober but everydayFACTS ABOUT BREAST CANCER

Breast Cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer inWomen worldwide

It is the leading cause of cancer death among Women globally

More than 50 of women over the age of 40 fail to get a mamogramon an annual basis

)()()()()()()()()(

Less than 5 of US breast cancer cases are in women under 40

ooooooooooo

1 in 8 US Woman will be diagnosed

XXXXXXXXXX

Breast cancer death is 41 higher in African American womenthan Caucacian women although the incidence is lower

==============Every 3 minutes a women is diagnosed

Over 2000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013

Do your self breast ExaminationsSchedule Your Mamogram Today

3 MagazineIssue 2

Many Thanks to Our Contributiors~ CareNovate Magazine

IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Editors Note7 Events -IMPACT80 Virtual Summit 201411 Readers of CareNovate Magazine18 Books That Inspires HEALTH LITERACY16 Carenovate Magazine Health Literacy38 Q amp A with Health Literacy Expert Ms HelenOsborne MEDICATION SAFETY10 Discover your pharmacist super powers10 Celebrate Pharmacist Month27 Be Medication Smart amp AcetaminophenAwareness Video28 FDA Update on Gluten Food Labelling CAREGIVING12 Senior Care Living Series - Private Duty20 Being the Nurse At Home When FamilyCaregivers Become Healthcare Workers FEATURES23 Dr Gia Siason - Doctor becomes breast cancerpatient and musing on Life 10129 Micheal Walsh behind the Kayak of GeriatricServices34 Denise Brown on providing the very first onlinesupport to Caregivers41 Joni Aldrich - Caregiver x 2 to mum amp husband

CareNovate Magazine The offical publication of CareNovate LLC FallWinter 2013issue 2wwwcarenovatemagcom Dr G Erowele Editor in Chief infocarenovatecom Mr K Erowele MBA Publisher Dr Ketra Ikezuagu Dr Ojey Ikezuagu Medical EditorReviewer Drs Darlington amp Dr U Ojiaku Medical AdvisorsCareNovate LLC - Publisher Contributing WritersDr Gia Siason Michelle Seitzer Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM AdvertisingPartnershipSponsorship InquiresMedia Kit or infocarenovatecom Question Comments Letter to the Editorinfocarenovatecom Stay Empowered Inspired amp Motivated Editorial Office 9119 Hwy 6 Suite 230 Missouri City TX 77459832589007 Email infocarenovatecomCarenmagFacebookcomcarenmag

4 MagazineIssue 2

CONTENTS

5 MagazineIssue 2

Many Thanks to Our Contributiors~ CareNovate Magazine

IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Editors Note7 Events -IMPACT80 Virtual Summit 201411 Readers of CareNovate Magazine18 Books That Inspires HEALTH LITERACY16 Carenovate Magazine Health Literacy38 Q amp A with Health Literacy Expert Ms HelenOsborne MEDICATION SAFETY10 Discover your pharmacist super powers10 Celebrate Pharmacist Month27 Be Medication Smart amp AcetaminophenAwareness Video28 FDA Update on Gluten Food Labelling CAREGIVING12 Senior Care Living Series - Private Duty20 Being the Nurse At Home When FamilyCaregivers Become Healthcare Workers FEATURES23 Dr Gia Siason - Doctor becomes breast cancerpatient and musing on Life 10129 Micheal Walsh behind the Kayak of GeriatricServices34 Denise Brown on providing the very first onlinesupport to Caregivers41 Joni Aldrich - Caregiver x 2 to mum amp husband

CareNovate Magazine The offical publication of CareNovate LLC FallWinter 2013issue 2wwwcarenovatemagcom Dr G Erowele Editor in Chief infocarenovatecom Mr K Erowele MBA Publisher Dr Ketra Ikezuagu Dr Ojey Ikezuagu Medical EditorReviewer Drs Darlington amp Dr U Ojiaku Medical AdvisorsCareNovate LLC - Publisher Contributing WritersDr Gia Siason Michelle Seitzer Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM AdvertisingPartnershipSponsorship InquiresMedia Kit or infocarenovatecom Question Comments Letter to the Editorinfocarenovatecom Stay Empowered Inspired amp Motivated Editorial Office 9119 Hwy 6 Suite 230 Missouri City TX 77459832589007 Email infocarenovatecomCarenmagFacebookcomcarenmag

4 MagazineIssue 2

CONTENTS

5 MagazineIssue 2

IMPACT80Global amp Live Virutal Event

ConversationsBy Women for Women amp Caregivers

February 11th 2014About Caregiving

Health Care Social MediaWomens health Health Literacy

Cost of Health CareMedication Safety

amp Much More

wwwcarenovatemagcomREGISTER

BRANDING amp SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

EDITORS NOTE

Tips for clear healthcommunication

ndashBring a friend or familymember to help

ndashMake a list of health concerns todiscuss with your provider

ndashMake a list of current medications

ndashAsk your pharmacist when you havequestions about your medications

Dear Reader Humbled gratitude and grateful are thewords that comes to mind when I thinkabout the birth of CareNovate Magazineand how it has crawled and nowwalking We are so thankful for yoursupport words of encouragementsuggestions and emails We love themall so please keep them coming In this caregiving + health literacy issuewe introduce to you amazing folks whoare doing innovative things in thecaregiving and health literacy spaceExciting interviews with Denise Brown apioneer in online support for caregiversand Helen Osborne the Health Literacyexpert with accolades to prove it Wecelebrate the lives of all caregiversfamilies women and men who has beenaffected by breast cancer We arehonored to share a survivor story of aphysician patient advocate who becamea breast cancer patient Read hermusing on life after graduating fromchemotherapy We also bring you Cariloop dubbed theKayak of geriatric care service Learnabout this new innovation Our awesomeelder care nurse and author continuesto educate on her Senior Care LivingOptions part 2 of 8 focusing on privateduty home care Remember all logos andlinks are clickable to instant access toour resource page contributorswebsites products and services Dont forget to take care of yourself Remember in Health amp Care Goldie Editor in ChiefLOVE - All your emails Continue to sendthem to me infocarenovatecom

6 MagazineIssue 2

I hope you find this issue filled with inspirationThank you so much for reading

commenting and sharing CareNovateMagazine Continue to share the

magazine with friends and families viaFacebook Twitter Instagram and

PinterestDont forget to take care of yourself

IMPACT80Global amp Live Virutal Event

ConversationsBy Women for Women amp Caregivers

February 11th 2014About Caregiving

Health Care Social MediaWomens health Health Literacy

Cost of Health CareMedication Safety

amp Much More

wwwcarenovatemagcomREGISTER

BRANDING amp SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

EDITORS NOTE

Tips for clear healthcommunication

ndashBring a friend or familymember to help

ndashMake a list of health concerns todiscuss with your provider

ndashMake a list of current medications

ndashAsk your pharmacist when you havequestions about your medications

Dear Reader Humbled gratitude and grateful are thewords that comes to mind when I thinkabout the birth of CareNovate Magazineand how it has crawled and nowwalking We are so thankful for yoursupport words of encouragementsuggestions and emails We love themall so please keep them coming In this caregiving + health literacy issuewe introduce to you amazing folks whoare doing innovative things in thecaregiving and health literacy spaceExciting interviews with Denise Brown apioneer in online support for caregiversand Helen Osborne the Health Literacyexpert with accolades to prove it Wecelebrate the lives of all caregiversfamilies women and men who has beenaffected by breast cancer We arehonored to share a survivor story of aphysician patient advocate who becamea breast cancer patient Read hermusing on life after graduating fromchemotherapy We also bring you Cariloop dubbed theKayak of geriatric care service Learnabout this new innovation Our awesomeelder care nurse and author continuesto educate on her Senior Care LivingOptions part 2 of 8 focusing on privateduty home care Remember all logos andlinks are clickable to instant access toour resource page contributorswebsites products and services Dont forget to take care of yourself Remember in Health amp Care Goldie Editor in ChiefLOVE - All your emails Continue to sendthem to me infocarenovatecom

6 MagazineIssue 2

I hope you find this issue filled with inspirationThank you so much for reading

commenting and sharing CareNovateMagazine Continue to share the

magazine with friends and families viaFacebook Twitter Instagram and

PinterestDont forget to take care of yourself

ACTIONOF A TRUE

CARENOVATOR

ldquoTake care ofyour body

itrsquos theonly placeyou haveto liverdquo

ndash J i m R o h n

AboutOnecom is secure and easy-to-use online familymanagement journal that helps busy families manage whatmatters most family memories and household information

CareNovate Magazine readers and subscribers can sign up herefor FREE or use this discount codes to get premium membership

CARENOVPENNY $001 for the first month of Premium of Premium PlusNo expiration

CARENOVATE20 $20 for the first year of Premium or Premium Plus

Expires 412013

whats newonlineFind more of what you love

about CareNovate MagazineHealth news caregiivng tips

medication use and safety insights and tips for safe amphealthy living

This MonthSoon CareNovate Magazine can now be found on

Amazon and in the Apple Store You can find us on the bookshelves

Click on the ipad picture to the right

WRITERSLove WRITING about health care

women health Caregivers and medicalinnovation Send us your writing sample

Email infocarenovatecomSubscribe now - Click here or visit

wwwcarenovatemagcom

9 MagazineIssue 28 MagazineIssue 2

See Your Name InPrint

Send us your favorite 30 minutereceipe

We are looking foreasy quick delicious healthy

receipe to share with our extra busyreaders

It could be a dish salad baked goods orsoup Theres not limit to the origin of

the meal thats the exciting part

If your receipe is selected to appear inour next issue you will receive a

Whole Food gift cardEmail your receipe toinfocarenovatecom

ACTIONOF A TRUE

CARENOVATOR

ldquoTake care ofyour body

itrsquos theonly placeyou haveto liverdquo

ndash J i m R o h n

AboutOnecom is secure and easy-to-use online familymanagement journal that helps busy families manage whatmatters most family memories and household information

CareNovate Magazine readers and subscribers can sign up herefor FREE or use this discount codes to get premium membership

CARENOVPENNY $001 for the first month of Premium of Premium PlusNo expiration

CARENOVATE20 $20 for the first year of Premium or Premium Plus

Expires 412013

whats newonlineFind more of what you love

about CareNovate MagazineHealth news caregiivng tips

medication use and safety insights and tips for safe amphealthy living

This MonthSoon CareNovate Magazine can now be found on

Amazon and in the Apple Store You can find us on the bookshelves

Click on the ipad picture to the right

WRITERSLove WRITING about health care

women health Caregivers and medicalinnovation Send us your writing sample

Email infocarenovatecomSubscribe now - Click here or visit

wwwcarenovatemagcom

9 MagazineIssue 28 MagazineIssue 2

See Your Name InPrint

Send us your favorite 30 minutereceipe

We are looking foreasy quick delicious healthy

receipe to share with our extra busyreaders

It could be a dish salad baked goods orsoup Theres not limit to the origin of

the meal thats the exciting part

If your receipe is selected to appear inour next issue you will receive a

Whole Food gift cardEmail your receipe toinfocarenovatecom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 2: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovate Magazineraising breast cancer awareness

Not just in Ocober but everydayFACTS ABOUT BREAST CANCER

Breast Cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer inWomen worldwide

It is the leading cause of cancer death among Women globally

More than 50 of women over the age of 40 fail to get a mamogramon an annual basis

)()()()()()()()()(

Less than 5 of US breast cancer cases are in women under 40

ooooooooooo

1 in 8 US Woman will be diagnosed

XXXXXXXXXX

Breast cancer death is 41 higher in African American womenthan Caucacian women although the incidence is lower

==============Every 3 minutes a women is diagnosed

Over 2000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013

Do your self breast ExaminationsSchedule Your Mamogram Today

3 MagazineIssue 2

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovate Magazineraising breast cancer awareness

Not just in Ocober but everydayFACTS ABOUT BREAST CANCER

Breast Cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer inWomen worldwide

It is the leading cause of cancer death among Women globally

More than 50 of women over the age of 40 fail to get a mamogramon an annual basis

)()()()()()()()()(

Less than 5 of US breast cancer cases are in women under 40

ooooooooooo

1 in 8 US Woman will be diagnosed

XXXXXXXXXX

Breast cancer death is 41 higher in African American womenthan Caucacian women although the incidence is lower

==============Every 3 minutes a women is diagnosed

Over 2000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013

Do your self breast ExaminationsSchedule Your Mamogram Today

3 MagazineIssue 2

Many Thanks to Our Contributiors~ CareNovate Magazine

IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Editors Note7 Events -IMPACT80 Virtual Summit 201411 Readers of CareNovate Magazine18 Books That Inspires HEALTH LITERACY16 Carenovate Magazine Health Literacy38 Q amp A with Health Literacy Expert Ms HelenOsborne MEDICATION SAFETY10 Discover your pharmacist super powers10 Celebrate Pharmacist Month27 Be Medication Smart amp AcetaminophenAwareness Video28 FDA Update on Gluten Food Labelling CAREGIVING12 Senior Care Living Series - Private Duty20 Being the Nurse At Home When FamilyCaregivers Become Healthcare Workers FEATURES23 Dr Gia Siason - Doctor becomes breast cancerpatient and musing on Life 10129 Micheal Walsh behind the Kayak of GeriatricServices34 Denise Brown on providing the very first onlinesupport to Caregivers41 Joni Aldrich - Caregiver x 2 to mum amp husband

CareNovate Magazine The offical publication of CareNovate LLC FallWinter 2013issue 2wwwcarenovatemagcom Dr G Erowele Editor in Chief infocarenovatecom Mr K Erowele MBA Publisher Dr Ketra Ikezuagu Dr Ojey Ikezuagu Medical EditorReviewer Drs Darlington amp Dr U Ojiaku Medical AdvisorsCareNovate LLC - Publisher Contributing WritersDr Gia Siason Michelle Seitzer Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM AdvertisingPartnershipSponsorship InquiresMedia Kit or infocarenovatecom Question Comments Letter to the Editorinfocarenovatecom Stay Empowered Inspired amp Motivated Editorial Office 9119 Hwy 6 Suite 230 Missouri City TX 77459832589007 Email infocarenovatecomCarenmagFacebookcomcarenmag

4 MagazineIssue 2

CONTENTS

5 MagazineIssue 2

Many Thanks to Our Contributiors~ CareNovate Magazine

IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Editors Note7 Events -IMPACT80 Virtual Summit 201411 Readers of CareNovate Magazine18 Books That Inspires HEALTH LITERACY16 Carenovate Magazine Health Literacy38 Q amp A with Health Literacy Expert Ms HelenOsborne MEDICATION SAFETY10 Discover your pharmacist super powers10 Celebrate Pharmacist Month27 Be Medication Smart amp AcetaminophenAwareness Video28 FDA Update on Gluten Food Labelling CAREGIVING12 Senior Care Living Series - Private Duty20 Being the Nurse At Home When FamilyCaregivers Become Healthcare Workers FEATURES23 Dr Gia Siason - Doctor becomes breast cancerpatient and musing on Life 10129 Micheal Walsh behind the Kayak of GeriatricServices34 Denise Brown on providing the very first onlinesupport to Caregivers41 Joni Aldrich - Caregiver x 2 to mum amp husband

CareNovate Magazine The offical publication of CareNovate LLC FallWinter 2013issue 2wwwcarenovatemagcom Dr G Erowele Editor in Chief infocarenovatecom Mr K Erowele MBA Publisher Dr Ketra Ikezuagu Dr Ojey Ikezuagu Medical EditorReviewer Drs Darlington amp Dr U Ojiaku Medical AdvisorsCareNovate LLC - Publisher Contributing WritersDr Gia Siason Michelle Seitzer Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM AdvertisingPartnershipSponsorship InquiresMedia Kit or infocarenovatecom Question Comments Letter to the Editorinfocarenovatecom Stay Empowered Inspired amp Motivated Editorial Office 9119 Hwy 6 Suite 230 Missouri City TX 77459832589007 Email infocarenovatecomCarenmagFacebookcomcarenmag

4 MagazineIssue 2

CONTENTS

5 MagazineIssue 2

IMPACT80Global amp Live Virutal Event

ConversationsBy Women for Women amp Caregivers

February 11th 2014About Caregiving

Health Care Social MediaWomens health Health Literacy

Cost of Health CareMedication Safety

amp Much More

wwwcarenovatemagcomREGISTER

BRANDING amp SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

EDITORS NOTE

Tips for clear healthcommunication

ndashBring a friend or familymember to help

ndashMake a list of health concerns todiscuss with your provider

ndashMake a list of current medications

ndashAsk your pharmacist when you havequestions about your medications

Dear Reader Humbled gratitude and grateful are thewords that comes to mind when I thinkabout the birth of CareNovate Magazineand how it has crawled and nowwalking We are so thankful for yoursupport words of encouragementsuggestions and emails We love themall so please keep them coming In this caregiving + health literacy issuewe introduce to you amazing folks whoare doing innovative things in thecaregiving and health literacy spaceExciting interviews with Denise Brown apioneer in online support for caregiversand Helen Osborne the Health Literacyexpert with accolades to prove it Wecelebrate the lives of all caregiversfamilies women and men who has beenaffected by breast cancer We arehonored to share a survivor story of aphysician patient advocate who becamea breast cancer patient Read hermusing on life after graduating fromchemotherapy We also bring you Cariloop dubbed theKayak of geriatric care service Learnabout this new innovation Our awesomeelder care nurse and author continuesto educate on her Senior Care LivingOptions part 2 of 8 focusing on privateduty home care Remember all logos andlinks are clickable to instant access toour resource page contributorswebsites products and services Dont forget to take care of yourself Remember in Health amp Care Goldie Editor in ChiefLOVE - All your emails Continue to sendthem to me infocarenovatecom

6 MagazineIssue 2

I hope you find this issue filled with inspirationThank you so much for reading

commenting and sharing CareNovateMagazine Continue to share the

magazine with friends and families viaFacebook Twitter Instagram and

PinterestDont forget to take care of yourself

IMPACT80Global amp Live Virutal Event

ConversationsBy Women for Women amp Caregivers

February 11th 2014About Caregiving

Health Care Social MediaWomens health Health Literacy

Cost of Health CareMedication Safety

amp Much More

wwwcarenovatemagcomREGISTER

BRANDING amp SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

EDITORS NOTE

Tips for clear healthcommunication

ndashBring a friend or familymember to help

ndashMake a list of health concerns todiscuss with your provider

ndashMake a list of current medications

ndashAsk your pharmacist when you havequestions about your medications

Dear Reader Humbled gratitude and grateful are thewords that comes to mind when I thinkabout the birth of CareNovate Magazineand how it has crawled and nowwalking We are so thankful for yoursupport words of encouragementsuggestions and emails We love themall so please keep them coming In this caregiving + health literacy issuewe introduce to you amazing folks whoare doing innovative things in thecaregiving and health literacy spaceExciting interviews with Denise Brown apioneer in online support for caregiversand Helen Osborne the Health Literacyexpert with accolades to prove it Wecelebrate the lives of all caregiversfamilies women and men who has beenaffected by breast cancer We arehonored to share a survivor story of aphysician patient advocate who becamea breast cancer patient Read hermusing on life after graduating fromchemotherapy We also bring you Cariloop dubbed theKayak of geriatric care service Learnabout this new innovation Our awesomeelder care nurse and author continuesto educate on her Senior Care LivingOptions part 2 of 8 focusing on privateduty home care Remember all logos andlinks are clickable to instant access toour resource page contributorswebsites products and services Dont forget to take care of yourself Remember in Health amp Care Goldie Editor in ChiefLOVE - All your emails Continue to sendthem to me infocarenovatecom

6 MagazineIssue 2

I hope you find this issue filled with inspirationThank you so much for reading

commenting and sharing CareNovateMagazine Continue to share the

magazine with friends and families viaFacebook Twitter Instagram and

PinterestDont forget to take care of yourself

ACTIONOF A TRUE

CARENOVATOR

ldquoTake care ofyour body

itrsquos theonly placeyou haveto liverdquo

ndash J i m R o h n

AboutOnecom is secure and easy-to-use online familymanagement journal that helps busy families manage whatmatters most family memories and household information

CareNovate Magazine readers and subscribers can sign up herefor FREE or use this discount codes to get premium membership

CARENOVPENNY $001 for the first month of Premium of Premium PlusNo expiration

CARENOVATE20 $20 for the first year of Premium or Premium Plus

Expires 412013

whats newonlineFind more of what you love

about CareNovate MagazineHealth news caregiivng tips

medication use and safety insights and tips for safe amphealthy living

This MonthSoon CareNovate Magazine can now be found on

Amazon and in the Apple Store You can find us on the bookshelves

Click on the ipad picture to the right

WRITERSLove WRITING about health care

women health Caregivers and medicalinnovation Send us your writing sample

Email infocarenovatecomSubscribe now - Click here or visit

wwwcarenovatemagcom

9 MagazineIssue 28 MagazineIssue 2

See Your Name InPrint

Send us your favorite 30 minutereceipe

We are looking foreasy quick delicious healthy

receipe to share with our extra busyreaders

It could be a dish salad baked goods orsoup Theres not limit to the origin of

the meal thats the exciting part

If your receipe is selected to appear inour next issue you will receive a

Whole Food gift cardEmail your receipe toinfocarenovatecom

ACTIONOF A TRUE

CARENOVATOR

ldquoTake care ofyour body

itrsquos theonly placeyou haveto liverdquo

ndash J i m R o h n

AboutOnecom is secure and easy-to-use online familymanagement journal that helps busy families manage whatmatters most family memories and household information

CareNovate Magazine readers and subscribers can sign up herefor FREE or use this discount codes to get premium membership

CARENOVPENNY $001 for the first month of Premium of Premium PlusNo expiration

CARENOVATE20 $20 for the first year of Premium or Premium Plus

Expires 412013

whats newonlineFind more of what you love

about CareNovate MagazineHealth news caregiivng tips

medication use and safety insights and tips for safe amphealthy living

This MonthSoon CareNovate Magazine can now be found on

Amazon and in the Apple Store You can find us on the bookshelves

Click on the ipad picture to the right

WRITERSLove WRITING about health care

women health Caregivers and medicalinnovation Send us your writing sample

Email infocarenovatecomSubscribe now - Click here or visit

wwwcarenovatemagcom

9 MagazineIssue 28 MagazineIssue 2

See Your Name InPrint

Send us your favorite 30 minutereceipe

We are looking foreasy quick delicious healthy

receipe to share with our extra busyreaders

It could be a dish salad baked goods orsoup Theres not limit to the origin of

the meal thats the exciting part

If your receipe is selected to appear inour next issue you will receive a

Whole Food gift cardEmail your receipe toinfocarenovatecom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 3: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovate Magazineraising breast cancer awareness

Not just in Ocober but everydayFACTS ABOUT BREAST CANCER

Breast Cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer inWomen worldwide

It is the leading cause of cancer death among Women globally

More than 50 of women over the age of 40 fail to get a mamogramon an annual basis

)()()()()()()()()(

Less than 5 of US breast cancer cases are in women under 40

ooooooooooo

1 in 8 US Woman will be diagnosed

XXXXXXXXXX

Breast cancer death is 41 higher in African American womenthan Caucacian women although the incidence is lower

==============Every 3 minutes a women is diagnosed

Over 2000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013

Do your self breast ExaminationsSchedule Your Mamogram Today

3 MagazineIssue 2

Many Thanks to Our Contributiors~ CareNovate Magazine

IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Editors Note7 Events -IMPACT80 Virtual Summit 201411 Readers of CareNovate Magazine18 Books That Inspires HEALTH LITERACY16 Carenovate Magazine Health Literacy38 Q amp A with Health Literacy Expert Ms HelenOsborne MEDICATION SAFETY10 Discover your pharmacist super powers10 Celebrate Pharmacist Month27 Be Medication Smart amp AcetaminophenAwareness Video28 FDA Update on Gluten Food Labelling CAREGIVING12 Senior Care Living Series - Private Duty20 Being the Nurse At Home When FamilyCaregivers Become Healthcare Workers FEATURES23 Dr Gia Siason - Doctor becomes breast cancerpatient and musing on Life 10129 Micheal Walsh behind the Kayak of GeriatricServices34 Denise Brown on providing the very first onlinesupport to Caregivers41 Joni Aldrich - Caregiver x 2 to mum amp husband

CareNovate Magazine The offical publication of CareNovate LLC FallWinter 2013issue 2wwwcarenovatemagcom Dr G Erowele Editor in Chief infocarenovatecom Mr K Erowele MBA Publisher Dr Ketra Ikezuagu Dr Ojey Ikezuagu Medical EditorReviewer Drs Darlington amp Dr U Ojiaku Medical AdvisorsCareNovate LLC - Publisher Contributing WritersDr Gia Siason Michelle Seitzer Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM AdvertisingPartnershipSponsorship InquiresMedia Kit or infocarenovatecom Question Comments Letter to the Editorinfocarenovatecom Stay Empowered Inspired amp Motivated Editorial Office 9119 Hwy 6 Suite 230 Missouri City TX 77459832589007 Email infocarenovatecomCarenmagFacebookcomcarenmag

4 MagazineIssue 2

CONTENTS

5 MagazineIssue 2

Many Thanks to Our Contributiors~ CareNovate Magazine

IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Editors Note7 Events -IMPACT80 Virtual Summit 201411 Readers of CareNovate Magazine18 Books That Inspires HEALTH LITERACY16 Carenovate Magazine Health Literacy38 Q amp A with Health Literacy Expert Ms HelenOsborne MEDICATION SAFETY10 Discover your pharmacist super powers10 Celebrate Pharmacist Month27 Be Medication Smart amp AcetaminophenAwareness Video28 FDA Update on Gluten Food Labelling CAREGIVING12 Senior Care Living Series - Private Duty20 Being the Nurse At Home When FamilyCaregivers Become Healthcare Workers FEATURES23 Dr Gia Siason - Doctor becomes breast cancerpatient and musing on Life 10129 Micheal Walsh behind the Kayak of GeriatricServices34 Denise Brown on providing the very first onlinesupport to Caregivers41 Joni Aldrich - Caregiver x 2 to mum amp husband

CareNovate Magazine The offical publication of CareNovate LLC FallWinter 2013issue 2wwwcarenovatemagcom Dr G Erowele Editor in Chief infocarenovatecom Mr K Erowele MBA Publisher Dr Ketra Ikezuagu Dr Ojey Ikezuagu Medical EditorReviewer Drs Darlington amp Dr U Ojiaku Medical AdvisorsCareNovate LLC - Publisher Contributing WritersDr Gia Siason Michelle Seitzer Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM AdvertisingPartnershipSponsorship InquiresMedia Kit or infocarenovatecom Question Comments Letter to the Editorinfocarenovatecom Stay Empowered Inspired amp Motivated Editorial Office 9119 Hwy 6 Suite 230 Missouri City TX 77459832589007 Email infocarenovatecomCarenmagFacebookcomcarenmag

4 MagazineIssue 2

CONTENTS

5 MagazineIssue 2

IMPACT80Global amp Live Virutal Event

ConversationsBy Women for Women amp Caregivers

February 11th 2014About Caregiving

Health Care Social MediaWomens health Health Literacy

Cost of Health CareMedication Safety

amp Much More

wwwcarenovatemagcomREGISTER

BRANDING amp SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

EDITORS NOTE

Tips for clear healthcommunication

ndashBring a friend or familymember to help

ndashMake a list of health concerns todiscuss with your provider

ndashMake a list of current medications

ndashAsk your pharmacist when you havequestions about your medications

Dear Reader Humbled gratitude and grateful are thewords that comes to mind when I thinkabout the birth of CareNovate Magazineand how it has crawled and nowwalking We are so thankful for yoursupport words of encouragementsuggestions and emails We love themall so please keep them coming In this caregiving + health literacy issuewe introduce to you amazing folks whoare doing innovative things in thecaregiving and health literacy spaceExciting interviews with Denise Brown apioneer in online support for caregiversand Helen Osborne the Health Literacyexpert with accolades to prove it Wecelebrate the lives of all caregiversfamilies women and men who has beenaffected by breast cancer We arehonored to share a survivor story of aphysician patient advocate who becamea breast cancer patient Read hermusing on life after graduating fromchemotherapy We also bring you Cariloop dubbed theKayak of geriatric care service Learnabout this new innovation Our awesomeelder care nurse and author continuesto educate on her Senior Care LivingOptions part 2 of 8 focusing on privateduty home care Remember all logos andlinks are clickable to instant access toour resource page contributorswebsites products and services Dont forget to take care of yourself Remember in Health amp Care Goldie Editor in ChiefLOVE - All your emails Continue to sendthem to me infocarenovatecom

6 MagazineIssue 2

I hope you find this issue filled with inspirationThank you so much for reading

commenting and sharing CareNovateMagazine Continue to share the

magazine with friends and families viaFacebook Twitter Instagram and

PinterestDont forget to take care of yourself

IMPACT80Global amp Live Virutal Event

ConversationsBy Women for Women amp Caregivers

February 11th 2014About Caregiving

Health Care Social MediaWomens health Health Literacy

Cost of Health CareMedication Safety

amp Much More

wwwcarenovatemagcomREGISTER

BRANDING amp SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

EDITORS NOTE

Tips for clear healthcommunication

ndashBring a friend or familymember to help

ndashMake a list of health concerns todiscuss with your provider

ndashMake a list of current medications

ndashAsk your pharmacist when you havequestions about your medications

Dear Reader Humbled gratitude and grateful are thewords that comes to mind when I thinkabout the birth of CareNovate Magazineand how it has crawled and nowwalking We are so thankful for yoursupport words of encouragementsuggestions and emails We love themall so please keep them coming In this caregiving + health literacy issuewe introduce to you amazing folks whoare doing innovative things in thecaregiving and health literacy spaceExciting interviews with Denise Brown apioneer in online support for caregiversand Helen Osborne the Health Literacyexpert with accolades to prove it Wecelebrate the lives of all caregiversfamilies women and men who has beenaffected by breast cancer We arehonored to share a survivor story of aphysician patient advocate who becamea breast cancer patient Read hermusing on life after graduating fromchemotherapy We also bring you Cariloop dubbed theKayak of geriatric care service Learnabout this new innovation Our awesomeelder care nurse and author continuesto educate on her Senior Care LivingOptions part 2 of 8 focusing on privateduty home care Remember all logos andlinks are clickable to instant access toour resource page contributorswebsites products and services Dont forget to take care of yourself Remember in Health amp Care Goldie Editor in ChiefLOVE - All your emails Continue to sendthem to me infocarenovatecom

6 MagazineIssue 2

I hope you find this issue filled with inspirationThank you so much for reading

commenting and sharing CareNovateMagazine Continue to share the

magazine with friends and families viaFacebook Twitter Instagram and

PinterestDont forget to take care of yourself

ACTIONOF A TRUE

CARENOVATOR

ldquoTake care ofyour body

itrsquos theonly placeyou haveto liverdquo

ndash J i m R o h n

AboutOnecom is secure and easy-to-use online familymanagement journal that helps busy families manage whatmatters most family memories and household information

CareNovate Magazine readers and subscribers can sign up herefor FREE or use this discount codes to get premium membership

CARENOVPENNY $001 for the first month of Premium of Premium PlusNo expiration

CARENOVATE20 $20 for the first year of Premium or Premium Plus

Expires 412013

whats newonlineFind more of what you love

about CareNovate MagazineHealth news caregiivng tips

medication use and safety insights and tips for safe amphealthy living

This MonthSoon CareNovate Magazine can now be found on

Amazon and in the Apple Store You can find us on the bookshelves

Click on the ipad picture to the right

WRITERSLove WRITING about health care

women health Caregivers and medicalinnovation Send us your writing sample

Email infocarenovatecomSubscribe now - Click here or visit

wwwcarenovatemagcom

9 MagazineIssue 28 MagazineIssue 2

See Your Name InPrint

Send us your favorite 30 minutereceipe

We are looking foreasy quick delicious healthy

receipe to share with our extra busyreaders

It could be a dish salad baked goods orsoup Theres not limit to the origin of

the meal thats the exciting part

If your receipe is selected to appear inour next issue you will receive a

Whole Food gift cardEmail your receipe toinfocarenovatecom

ACTIONOF A TRUE

CARENOVATOR

ldquoTake care ofyour body

itrsquos theonly placeyou haveto liverdquo

ndash J i m R o h n

AboutOnecom is secure and easy-to-use online familymanagement journal that helps busy families manage whatmatters most family memories and household information

CareNovate Magazine readers and subscribers can sign up herefor FREE or use this discount codes to get premium membership

CARENOVPENNY $001 for the first month of Premium of Premium PlusNo expiration

CARENOVATE20 $20 for the first year of Premium or Premium Plus

Expires 412013

whats newonlineFind more of what you love

about CareNovate MagazineHealth news caregiivng tips

medication use and safety insights and tips for safe amphealthy living

This MonthSoon CareNovate Magazine can now be found on

Amazon and in the Apple Store You can find us on the bookshelves

Click on the ipad picture to the right

WRITERSLove WRITING about health care

women health Caregivers and medicalinnovation Send us your writing sample

Email infocarenovatecomSubscribe now - Click here or visit

wwwcarenovatemagcom

9 MagazineIssue 28 MagazineIssue 2

See Your Name InPrint

Send us your favorite 30 minutereceipe

We are looking foreasy quick delicious healthy

receipe to share with our extra busyreaders

It could be a dish salad baked goods orsoup Theres not limit to the origin of

the meal thats the exciting part

If your receipe is selected to appear inour next issue you will receive a

Whole Food gift cardEmail your receipe toinfocarenovatecom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 4: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

Many Thanks to Our Contributiors~ CareNovate Magazine

IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Editors Note7 Events -IMPACT80 Virtual Summit 201411 Readers of CareNovate Magazine18 Books That Inspires HEALTH LITERACY16 Carenovate Magazine Health Literacy38 Q amp A with Health Literacy Expert Ms HelenOsborne MEDICATION SAFETY10 Discover your pharmacist super powers10 Celebrate Pharmacist Month27 Be Medication Smart amp AcetaminophenAwareness Video28 FDA Update on Gluten Food Labelling CAREGIVING12 Senior Care Living Series - Private Duty20 Being the Nurse At Home When FamilyCaregivers Become Healthcare Workers FEATURES23 Dr Gia Siason - Doctor becomes breast cancerpatient and musing on Life 10129 Micheal Walsh behind the Kayak of GeriatricServices34 Denise Brown on providing the very first onlinesupport to Caregivers41 Joni Aldrich - Caregiver x 2 to mum amp husband

CareNovate Magazine The offical publication of CareNovate LLC FallWinter 2013issue 2wwwcarenovatemagcom Dr G Erowele Editor in Chief infocarenovatecom Mr K Erowele MBA Publisher Dr Ketra Ikezuagu Dr Ojey Ikezuagu Medical EditorReviewer Drs Darlington amp Dr U Ojiaku Medical AdvisorsCareNovate LLC - Publisher Contributing WritersDr Gia Siason Michelle Seitzer Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM AdvertisingPartnershipSponsorship InquiresMedia Kit or infocarenovatecom Question Comments Letter to the Editorinfocarenovatecom Stay Empowered Inspired amp Motivated Editorial Office 9119 Hwy 6 Suite 230 Missouri City TX 77459832589007 Email infocarenovatecomCarenmagFacebookcomcarenmag

4 MagazineIssue 2

CONTENTS

5 MagazineIssue 2

Many Thanks to Our Contributiors~ CareNovate Magazine

IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Editors Note7 Events -IMPACT80 Virtual Summit 201411 Readers of CareNovate Magazine18 Books That Inspires HEALTH LITERACY16 Carenovate Magazine Health Literacy38 Q amp A with Health Literacy Expert Ms HelenOsborne MEDICATION SAFETY10 Discover your pharmacist super powers10 Celebrate Pharmacist Month27 Be Medication Smart amp AcetaminophenAwareness Video28 FDA Update on Gluten Food Labelling CAREGIVING12 Senior Care Living Series - Private Duty20 Being the Nurse At Home When FamilyCaregivers Become Healthcare Workers FEATURES23 Dr Gia Siason - Doctor becomes breast cancerpatient and musing on Life 10129 Micheal Walsh behind the Kayak of GeriatricServices34 Denise Brown on providing the very first onlinesupport to Caregivers41 Joni Aldrich - Caregiver x 2 to mum amp husband

CareNovate Magazine The offical publication of CareNovate LLC FallWinter 2013issue 2wwwcarenovatemagcom Dr G Erowele Editor in Chief infocarenovatecom Mr K Erowele MBA Publisher Dr Ketra Ikezuagu Dr Ojey Ikezuagu Medical EditorReviewer Drs Darlington amp Dr U Ojiaku Medical AdvisorsCareNovate LLC - Publisher Contributing WritersDr Gia Siason Michelle Seitzer Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM AdvertisingPartnershipSponsorship InquiresMedia Kit or infocarenovatecom Question Comments Letter to the Editorinfocarenovatecom Stay Empowered Inspired amp Motivated Editorial Office 9119 Hwy 6 Suite 230 Missouri City TX 77459832589007 Email infocarenovatecomCarenmagFacebookcomcarenmag

4 MagazineIssue 2

CONTENTS

5 MagazineIssue 2

IMPACT80Global amp Live Virutal Event

ConversationsBy Women for Women amp Caregivers

February 11th 2014About Caregiving

Health Care Social MediaWomens health Health Literacy

Cost of Health CareMedication Safety

amp Much More

wwwcarenovatemagcomREGISTER

BRANDING amp SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

EDITORS NOTE

Tips for clear healthcommunication

ndashBring a friend or familymember to help

ndashMake a list of health concerns todiscuss with your provider

ndashMake a list of current medications

ndashAsk your pharmacist when you havequestions about your medications

Dear Reader Humbled gratitude and grateful are thewords that comes to mind when I thinkabout the birth of CareNovate Magazineand how it has crawled and nowwalking We are so thankful for yoursupport words of encouragementsuggestions and emails We love themall so please keep them coming In this caregiving + health literacy issuewe introduce to you amazing folks whoare doing innovative things in thecaregiving and health literacy spaceExciting interviews with Denise Brown apioneer in online support for caregiversand Helen Osborne the Health Literacyexpert with accolades to prove it Wecelebrate the lives of all caregiversfamilies women and men who has beenaffected by breast cancer We arehonored to share a survivor story of aphysician patient advocate who becamea breast cancer patient Read hermusing on life after graduating fromchemotherapy We also bring you Cariloop dubbed theKayak of geriatric care service Learnabout this new innovation Our awesomeelder care nurse and author continuesto educate on her Senior Care LivingOptions part 2 of 8 focusing on privateduty home care Remember all logos andlinks are clickable to instant access toour resource page contributorswebsites products and services Dont forget to take care of yourself Remember in Health amp Care Goldie Editor in ChiefLOVE - All your emails Continue to sendthem to me infocarenovatecom

6 MagazineIssue 2

I hope you find this issue filled with inspirationThank you so much for reading

commenting and sharing CareNovateMagazine Continue to share the

magazine with friends and families viaFacebook Twitter Instagram and

PinterestDont forget to take care of yourself

IMPACT80Global amp Live Virutal Event

ConversationsBy Women for Women amp Caregivers

February 11th 2014About Caregiving

Health Care Social MediaWomens health Health Literacy

Cost of Health CareMedication Safety

amp Much More

wwwcarenovatemagcomREGISTER

BRANDING amp SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

EDITORS NOTE

Tips for clear healthcommunication

ndashBring a friend or familymember to help

ndashMake a list of health concerns todiscuss with your provider

ndashMake a list of current medications

ndashAsk your pharmacist when you havequestions about your medications

Dear Reader Humbled gratitude and grateful are thewords that comes to mind when I thinkabout the birth of CareNovate Magazineand how it has crawled and nowwalking We are so thankful for yoursupport words of encouragementsuggestions and emails We love themall so please keep them coming In this caregiving + health literacy issuewe introduce to you amazing folks whoare doing innovative things in thecaregiving and health literacy spaceExciting interviews with Denise Brown apioneer in online support for caregiversand Helen Osborne the Health Literacyexpert with accolades to prove it Wecelebrate the lives of all caregiversfamilies women and men who has beenaffected by breast cancer We arehonored to share a survivor story of aphysician patient advocate who becamea breast cancer patient Read hermusing on life after graduating fromchemotherapy We also bring you Cariloop dubbed theKayak of geriatric care service Learnabout this new innovation Our awesomeelder care nurse and author continuesto educate on her Senior Care LivingOptions part 2 of 8 focusing on privateduty home care Remember all logos andlinks are clickable to instant access toour resource page contributorswebsites products and services Dont forget to take care of yourself Remember in Health amp Care Goldie Editor in ChiefLOVE - All your emails Continue to sendthem to me infocarenovatecom

6 MagazineIssue 2

I hope you find this issue filled with inspirationThank you so much for reading

commenting and sharing CareNovateMagazine Continue to share the

magazine with friends and families viaFacebook Twitter Instagram and

PinterestDont forget to take care of yourself

ACTIONOF A TRUE

CARENOVATOR

ldquoTake care ofyour body

itrsquos theonly placeyou haveto liverdquo

ndash J i m R o h n

AboutOnecom is secure and easy-to-use online familymanagement journal that helps busy families manage whatmatters most family memories and household information

CareNovate Magazine readers and subscribers can sign up herefor FREE or use this discount codes to get premium membership

CARENOVPENNY $001 for the first month of Premium of Premium PlusNo expiration

CARENOVATE20 $20 for the first year of Premium or Premium Plus

Expires 412013

whats newonlineFind more of what you love

about CareNovate MagazineHealth news caregiivng tips

medication use and safety insights and tips for safe amphealthy living

This MonthSoon CareNovate Magazine can now be found on

Amazon and in the Apple Store You can find us on the bookshelves

Click on the ipad picture to the right

WRITERSLove WRITING about health care

women health Caregivers and medicalinnovation Send us your writing sample

Email infocarenovatecomSubscribe now - Click here or visit

wwwcarenovatemagcom

9 MagazineIssue 28 MagazineIssue 2

See Your Name InPrint

Send us your favorite 30 minutereceipe

We are looking foreasy quick delicious healthy

receipe to share with our extra busyreaders

It could be a dish salad baked goods orsoup Theres not limit to the origin of

the meal thats the exciting part

If your receipe is selected to appear inour next issue you will receive a

Whole Food gift cardEmail your receipe toinfocarenovatecom

ACTIONOF A TRUE

CARENOVATOR

ldquoTake care ofyour body

itrsquos theonly placeyou haveto liverdquo

ndash J i m R o h n

AboutOnecom is secure and easy-to-use online familymanagement journal that helps busy families manage whatmatters most family memories and household information

CareNovate Magazine readers and subscribers can sign up herefor FREE or use this discount codes to get premium membership

CARENOVPENNY $001 for the first month of Premium of Premium PlusNo expiration

CARENOVATE20 $20 for the first year of Premium or Premium Plus

Expires 412013

whats newonlineFind more of what you love

about CareNovate MagazineHealth news caregiivng tips

medication use and safety insights and tips for safe amphealthy living

This MonthSoon CareNovate Magazine can now be found on

Amazon and in the Apple Store You can find us on the bookshelves

Click on the ipad picture to the right

WRITERSLove WRITING about health care

women health Caregivers and medicalinnovation Send us your writing sample

Email infocarenovatecomSubscribe now - Click here or visit

wwwcarenovatemagcom

9 MagazineIssue 28 MagazineIssue 2

See Your Name InPrint

Send us your favorite 30 minutereceipe

We are looking foreasy quick delicious healthy

receipe to share with our extra busyreaders

It could be a dish salad baked goods orsoup Theres not limit to the origin of

the meal thats the exciting part

If your receipe is selected to appear inour next issue you will receive a

Whole Food gift cardEmail your receipe toinfocarenovatecom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 5: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

Many Thanks to Our Contributiors~ CareNovate Magazine

IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Editors Note7 Events -IMPACT80 Virtual Summit 201411 Readers of CareNovate Magazine18 Books That Inspires HEALTH LITERACY16 Carenovate Magazine Health Literacy38 Q amp A with Health Literacy Expert Ms HelenOsborne MEDICATION SAFETY10 Discover your pharmacist super powers10 Celebrate Pharmacist Month27 Be Medication Smart amp AcetaminophenAwareness Video28 FDA Update on Gluten Food Labelling CAREGIVING12 Senior Care Living Series - Private Duty20 Being the Nurse At Home When FamilyCaregivers Become Healthcare Workers FEATURES23 Dr Gia Siason - Doctor becomes breast cancerpatient and musing on Life 10129 Micheal Walsh behind the Kayak of GeriatricServices34 Denise Brown on providing the very first onlinesupport to Caregivers41 Joni Aldrich - Caregiver x 2 to mum amp husband

CareNovate Magazine The offical publication of CareNovate LLC FallWinter 2013issue 2wwwcarenovatemagcom Dr G Erowele Editor in Chief infocarenovatecom Mr K Erowele MBA Publisher Dr Ketra Ikezuagu Dr Ojey Ikezuagu Medical EditorReviewer Drs Darlington amp Dr U Ojiaku Medical AdvisorsCareNovate LLC - Publisher Contributing WritersDr Gia Siason Michelle Seitzer Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM AdvertisingPartnershipSponsorship InquiresMedia Kit or infocarenovatecom Question Comments Letter to the Editorinfocarenovatecom Stay Empowered Inspired amp Motivated Editorial Office 9119 Hwy 6 Suite 230 Missouri City TX 77459832589007 Email infocarenovatecomCarenmagFacebookcomcarenmag

4 MagazineIssue 2

CONTENTS

5 MagazineIssue 2

IMPACT80Global amp Live Virutal Event

ConversationsBy Women for Women amp Caregivers

February 11th 2014About Caregiving

Health Care Social MediaWomens health Health Literacy

Cost of Health CareMedication Safety

amp Much More

wwwcarenovatemagcomREGISTER

BRANDING amp SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

EDITORS NOTE

Tips for clear healthcommunication

ndashBring a friend or familymember to help

ndashMake a list of health concerns todiscuss with your provider

ndashMake a list of current medications

ndashAsk your pharmacist when you havequestions about your medications

Dear Reader Humbled gratitude and grateful are thewords that comes to mind when I thinkabout the birth of CareNovate Magazineand how it has crawled and nowwalking We are so thankful for yoursupport words of encouragementsuggestions and emails We love themall so please keep them coming In this caregiving + health literacy issuewe introduce to you amazing folks whoare doing innovative things in thecaregiving and health literacy spaceExciting interviews with Denise Brown apioneer in online support for caregiversand Helen Osborne the Health Literacyexpert with accolades to prove it Wecelebrate the lives of all caregiversfamilies women and men who has beenaffected by breast cancer We arehonored to share a survivor story of aphysician patient advocate who becamea breast cancer patient Read hermusing on life after graduating fromchemotherapy We also bring you Cariloop dubbed theKayak of geriatric care service Learnabout this new innovation Our awesomeelder care nurse and author continuesto educate on her Senior Care LivingOptions part 2 of 8 focusing on privateduty home care Remember all logos andlinks are clickable to instant access toour resource page contributorswebsites products and services Dont forget to take care of yourself Remember in Health amp Care Goldie Editor in ChiefLOVE - All your emails Continue to sendthem to me infocarenovatecom

6 MagazineIssue 2

I hope you find this issue filled with inspirationThank you so much for reading

commenting and sharing CareNovateMagazine Continue to share the

magazine with friends and families viaFacebook Twitter Instagram and

PinterestDont forget to take care of yourself

IMPACT80Global amp Live Virutal Event

ConversationsBy Women for Women amp Caregivers

February 11th 2014About Caregiving

Health Care Social MediaWomens health Health Literacy

Cost of Health CareMedication Safety

amp Much More

wwwcarenovatemagcomREGISTER

BRANDING amp SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

EDITORS NOTE

Tips for clear healthcommunication

ndashBring a friend or familymember to help

ndashMake a list of health concerns todiscuss with your provider

ndashMake a list of current medications

ndashAsk your pharmacist when you havequestions about your medications

Dear Reader Humbled gratitude and grateful are thewords that comes to mind when I thinkabout the birth of CareNovate Magazineand how it has crawled and nowwalking We are so thankful for yoursupport words of encouragementsuggestions and emails We love themall so please keep them coming In this caregiving + health literacy issuewe introduce to you amazing folks whoare doing innovative things in thecaregiving and health literacy spaceExciting interviews with Denise Brown apioneer in online support for caregiversand Helen Osborne the Health Literacyexpert with accolades to prove it Wecelebrate the lives of all caregiversfamilies women and men who has beenaffected by breast cancer We arehonored to share a survivor story of aphysician patient advocate who becamea breast cancer patient Read hermusing on life after graduating fromchemotherapy We also bring you Cariloop dubbed theKayak of geriatric care service Learnabout this new innovation Our awesomeelder care nurse and author continuesto educate on her Senior Care LivingOptions part 2 of 8 focusing on privateduty home care Remember all logos andlinks are clickable to instant access toour resource page contributorswebsites products and services Dont forget to take care of yourself Remember in Health amp Care Goldie Editor in ChiefLOVE - All your emails Continue to sendthem to me infocarenovatecom

6 MagazineIssue 2

I hope you find this issue filled with inspirationThank you so much for reading

commenting and sharing CareNovateMagazine Continue to share the

magazine with friends and families viaFacebook Twitter Instagram and

PinterestDont forget to take care of yourself

ACTIONOF A TRUE

CARENOVATOR

ldquoTake care ofyour body

itrsquos theonly placeyou haveto liverdquo

ndash J i m R o h n

AboutOnecom is secure and easy-to-use online familymanagement journal that helps busy families manage whatmatters most family memories and household information

CareNovate Magazine readers and subscribers can sign up herefor FREE or use this discount codes to get premium membership

CARENOVPENNY $001 for the first month of Premium of Premium PlusNo expiration

CARENOVATE20 $20 for the first year of Premium or Premium Plus

Expires 412013

whats newonlineFind more of what you love

about CareNovate MagazineHealth news caregiivng tips

medication use and safety insights and tips for safe amphealthy living

This MonthSoon CareNovate Magazine can now be found on

Amazon and in the Apple Store You can find us on the bookshelves

Click on the ipad picture to the right

WRITERSLove WRITING about health care

women health Caregivers and medicalinnovation Send us your writing sample

Email infocarenovatecomSubscribe now - Click here or visit

wwwcarenovatemagcom

9 MagazineIssue 28 MagazineIssue 2

See Your Name InPrint

Send us your favorite 30 minutereceipe

We are looking foreasy quick delicious healthy

receipe to share with our extra busyreaders

It could be a dish salad baked goods orsoup Theres not limit to the origin of

the meal thats the exciting part

If your receipe is selected to appear inour next issue you will receive a

Whole Food gift cardEmail your receipe toinfocarenovatecom

ACTIONOF A TRUE

CARENOVATOR

ldquoTake care ofyour body

itrsquos theonly placeyou haveto liverdquo

ndash J i m R o h n

AboutOnecom is secure and easy-to-use online familymanagement journal that helps busy families manage whatmatters most family memories and household information

CareNovate Magazine readers and subscribers can sign up herefor FREE or use this discount codes to get premium membership

CARENOVPENNY $001 for the first month of Premium of Premium PlusNo expiration

CARENOVATE20 $20 for the first year of Premium or Premium Plus

Expires 412013

whats newonlineFind more of what you love

about CareNovate MagazineHealth news caregiivng tips

medication use and safety insights and tips for safe amphealthy living

This MonthSoon CareNovate Magazine can now be found on

Amazon and in the Apple Store You can find us on the bookshelves

Click on the ipad picture to the right

WRITERSLove WRITING about health care

women health Caregivers and medicalinnovation Send us your writing sample

Email infocarenovatecomSubscribe now - Click here or visit

wwwcarenovatemagcom

9 MagazineIssue 28 MagazineIssue 2

See Your Name InPrint

Send us your favorite 30 minutereceipe

We are looking foreasy quick delicious healthy

receipe to share with our extra busyreaders

It could be a dish salad baked goods orsoup Theres not limit to the origin of

the meal thats the exciting part

If your receipe is selected to appear inour next issue you will receive a

Whole Food gift cardEmail your receipe toinfocarenovatecom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 6: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

IMPACT80Global amp Live Virutal Event

ConversationsBy Women for Women amp Caregivers

February 11th 2014About Caregiving

Health Care Social MediaWomens health Health Literacy

Cost of Health CareMedication Safety

amp Much More

wwwcarenovatemagcomREGISTER

BRANDING amp SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

EDITORS NOTE

Tips for clear healthcommunication

ndashBring a friend or familymember to help

ndashMake a list of health concerns todiscuss with your provider

ndashMake a list of current medications

ndashAsk your pharmacist when you havequestions about your medications

Dear Reader Humbled gratitude and grateful are thewords that comes to mind when I thinkabout the birth of CareNovate Magazineand how it has crawled and nowwalking We are so thankful for yoursupport words of encouragementsuggestions and emails We love themall so please keep them coming In this caregiving + health literacy issuewe introduce to you amazing folks whoare doing innovative things in thecaregiving and health literacy spaceExciting interviews with Denise Brown apioneer in online support for caregiversand Helen Osborne the Health Literacyexpert with accolades to prove it Wecelebrate the lives of all caregiversfamilies women and men who has beenaffected by breast cancer We arehonored to share a survivor story of aphysician patient advocate who becamea breast cancer patient Read hermusing on life after graduating fromchemotherapy We also bring you Cariloop dubbed theKayak of geriatric care service Learnabout this new innovation Our awesomeelder care nurse and author continuesto educate on her Senior Care LivingOptions part 2 of 8 focusing on privateduty home care Remember all logos andlinks are clickable to instant access toour resource page contributorswebsites products and services Dont forget to take care of yourself Remember in Health amp Care Goldie Editor in ChiefLOVE - All your emails Continue to sendthem to me infocarenovatecom

6 MagazineIssue 2

I hope you find this issue filled with inspirationThank you so much for reading

commenting and sharing CareNovateMagazine Continue to share the

magazine with friends and families viaFacebook Twitter Instagram and

PinterestDont forget to take care of yourself

IMPACT80Global amp Live Virutal Event

ConversationsBy Women for Women amp Caregivers

February 11th 2014About Caregiving

Health Care Social MediaWomens health Health Literacy

Cost of Health CareMedication Safety

amp Much More

wwwcarenovatemagcomREGISTER

BRANDING amp SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

EDITORS NOTE

Tips for clear healthcommunication

ndashBring a friend or familymember to help

ndashMake a list of health concerns todiscuss with your provider

ndashMake a list of current medications

ndashAsk your pharmacist when you havequestions about your medications

Dear Reader Humbled gratitude and grateful are thewords that comes to mind when I thinkabout the birth of CareNovate Magazineand how it has crawled and nowwalking We are so thankful for yoursupport words of encouragementsuggestions and emails We love themall so please keep them coming In this caregiving + health literacy issuewe introduce to you amazing folks whoare doing innovative things in thecaregiving and health literacy spaceExciting interviews with Denise Brown apioneer in online support for caregiversand Helen Osborne the Health Literacyexpert with accolades to prove it Wecelebrate the lives of all caregiversfamilies women and men who has beenaffected by breast cancer We arehonored to share a survivor story of aphysician patient advocate who becamea breast cancer patient Read hermusing on life after graduating fromchemotherapy We also bring you Cariloop dubbed theKayak of geriatric care service Learnabout this new innovation Our awesomeelder care nurse and author continuesto educate on her Senior Care LivingOptions part 2 of 8 focusing on privateduty home care Remember all logos andlinks are clickable to instant access toour resource page contributorswebsites products and services Dont forget to take care of yourself Remember in Health amp Care Goldie Editor in ChiefLOVE - All your emails Continue to sendthem to me infocarenovatecom

6 MagazineIssue 2

I hope you find this issue filled with inspirationThank you so much for reading

commenting and sharing CareNovateMagazine Continue to share the

magazine with friends and families viaFacebook Twitter Instagram and

PinterestDont forget to take care of yourself

ACTIONOF A TRUE

CARENOVATOR

ldquoTake care ofyour body

itrsquos theonly placeyou haveto liverdquo

ndash J i m R o h n

AboutOnecom is secure and easy-to-use online familymanagement journal that helps busy families manage whatmatters most family memories and household information

CareNovate Magazine readers and subscribers can sign up herefor FREE or use this discount codes to get premium membership

CARENOVPENNY $001 for the first month of Premium of Premium PlusNo expiration

CARENOVATE20 $20 for the first year of Premium or Premium Plus

Expires 412013

whats newonlineFind more of what you love

about CareNovate MagazineHealth news caregiivng tips

medication use and safety insights and tips for safe amphealthy living

This MonthSoon CareNovate Magazine can now be found on

Amazon and in the Apple Store You can find us on the bookshelves

Click on the ipad picture to the right

WRITERSLove WRITING about health care

women health Caregivers and medicalinnovation Send us your writing sample

Email infocarenovatecomSubscribe now - Click here or visit

wwwcarenovatemagcom

9 MagazineIssue 28 MagazineIssue 2

See Your Name InPrint

Send us your favorite 30 minutereceipe

We are looking foreasy quick delicious healthy

receipe to share with our extra busyreaders

It could be a dish salad baked goods orsoup Theres not limit to the origin of

the meal thats the exciting part

If your receipe is selected to appear inour next issue you will receive a

Whole Food gift cardEmail your receipe toinfocarenovatecom

ACTIONOF A TRUE

CARENOVATOR

ldquoTake care ofyour body

itrsquos theonly placeyou haveto liverdquo

ndash J i m R o h n

AboutOnecom is secure and easy-to-use online familymanagement journal that helps busy families manage whatmatters most family memories and household information

CareNovate Magazine readers and subscribers can sign up herefor FREE or use this discount codes to get premium membership

CARENOVPENNY $001 for the first month of Premium of Premium PlusNo expiration

CARENOVATE20 $20 for the first year of Premium or Premium Plus

Expires 412013

whats newonlineFind more of what you love

about CareNovate MagazineHealth news caregiivng tips

medication use and safety insights and tips for safe amphealthy living

This MonthSoon CareNovate Magazine can now be found on

Amazon and in the Apple Store You can find us on the bookshelves

Click on the ipad picture to the right

WRITERSLove WRITING about health care

women health Caregivers and medicalinnovation Send us your writing sample

Email infocarenovatecomSubscribe now - Click here or visit

wwwcarenovatemagcom

9 MagazineIssue 28 MagazineIssue 2

See Your Name InPrint

Send us your favorite 30 minutereceipe

We are looking foreasy quick delicious healthy

receipe to share with our extra busyreaders

It could be a dish salad baked goods orsoup Theres not limit to the origin of

the meal thats the exciting part

If your receipe is selected to appear inour next issue you will receive a

Whole Food gift cardEmail your receipe toinfocarenovatecom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 7: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

IMPACT80Global amp Live Virutal Event

ConversationsBy Women for Women amp Caregivers

February 11th 2014About Caregiving

Health Care Social MediaWomens health Health Literacy

Cost of Health CareMedication Safety

amp Much More

wwwcarenovatemagcomREGISTER

BRANDING amp SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

EDITORS NOTE

Tips for clear healthcommunication

ndashBring a friend or familymember to help

ndashMake a list of health concerns todiscuss with your provider

ndashMake a list of current medications

ndashAsk your pharmacist when you havequestions about your medications

Dear Reader Humbled gratitude and grateful are thewords that comes to mind when I thinkabout the birth of CareNovate Magazineand how it has crawled and nowwalking We are so thankful for yoursupport words of encouragementsuggestions and emails We love themall so please keep them coming In this caregiving + health literacy issuewe introduce to you amazing folks whoare doing innovative things in thecaregiving and health literacy spaceExciting interviews with Denise Brown apioneer in online support for caregiversand Helen Osborne the Health Literacyexpert with accolades to prove it Wecelebrate the lives of all caregiversfamilies women and men who has beenaffected by breast cancer We arehonored to share a survivor story of aphysician patient advocate who becamea breast cancer patient Read hermusing on life after graduating fromchemotherapy We also bring you Cariloop dubbed theKayak of geriatric care service Learnabout this new innovation Our awesomeelder care nurse and author continuesto educate on her Senior Care LivingOptions part 2 of 8 focusing on privateduty home care Remember all logos andlinks are clickable to instant access toour resource page contributorswebsites products and services Dont forget to take care of yourself Remember in Health amp Care Goldie Editor in ChiefLOVE - All your emails Continue to sendthem to me infocarenovatecom

6 MagazineIssue 2

I hope you find this issue filled with inspirationThank you so much for reading

commenting and sharing CareNovateMagazine Continue to share the

magazine with friends and families viaFacebook Twitter Instagram and

PinterestDont forget to take care of yourself

ACTIONOF A TRUE

CARENOVATOR

ldquoTake care ofyour body

itrsquos theonly placeyou haveto liverdquo

ndash J i m R o h n

AboutOnecom is secure and easy-to-use online familymanagement journal that helps busy families manage whatmatters most family memories and household information

CareNovate Magazine readers and subscribers can sign up herefor FREE or use this discount codes to get premium membership

CARENOVPENNY $001 for the first month of Premium of Premium PlusNo expiration

CARENOVATE20 $20 for the first year of Premium or Premium Plus

Expires 412013

whats newonlineFind more of what you love

about CareNovate MagazineHealth news caregiivng tips

medication use and safety insights and tips for safe amphealthy living

This MonthSoon CareNovate Magazine can now be found on

Amazon and in the Apple Store You can find us on the bookshelves

Click on the ipad picture to the right

WRITERSLove WRITING about health care

women health Caregivers and medicalinnovation Send us your writing sample

Email infocarenovatecomSubscribe now - Click here or visit

wwwcarenovatemagcom

9 MagazineIssue 28 MagazineIssue 2

See Your Name InPrint

Send us your favorite 30 minutereceipe

We are looking foreasy quick delicious healthy

receipe to share with our extra busyreaders

It could be a dish salad baked goods orsoup Theres not limit to the origin of

the meal thats the exciting part

If your receipe is selected to appear inour next issue you will receive a

Whole Food gift cardEmail your receipe toinfocarenovatecom

ACTIONOF A TRUE

CARENOVATOR

ldquoTake care ofyour body

itrsquos theonly placeyou haveto liverdquo

ndash J i m R o h n

AboutOnecom is secure and easy-to-use online familymanagement journal that helps busy families manage whatmatters most family memories and household information

CareNovate Magazine readers and subscribers can sign up herefor FREE or use this discount codes to get premium membership

CARENOVPENNY $001 for the first month of Premium of Premium PlusNo expiration

CARENOVATE20 $20 for the first year of Premium or Premium Plus

Expires 412013

whats newonlineFind more of what you love

about CareNovate MagazineHealth news caregiivng tips

medication use and safety insights and tips for safe amphealthy living

This MonthSoon CareNovate Magazine can now be found on

Amazon and in the Apple Store You can find us on the bookshelves

Click on the ipad picture to the right

WRITERSLove WRITING about health care

women health Caregivers and medicalinnovation Send us your writing sample

Email infocarenovatecomSubscribe now - Click here or visit

wwwcarenovatemagcom

9 MagazineIssue 28 MagazineIssue 2

See Your Name InPrint

Send us your favorite 30 minutereceipe

We are looking foreasy quick delicious healthy

receipe to share with our extra busyreaders

It could be a dish salad baked goods orsoup Theres not limit to the origin of

the meal thats the exciting part

If your receipe is selected to appear inour next issue you will receive a

Whole Food gift cardEmail your receipe toinfocarenovatecom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 8: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

ACTIONOF A TRUE

CARENOVATOR

ldquoTake care ofyour body

itrsquos theonly placeyou haveto liverdquo

ndash J i m R o h n

AboutOnecom is secure and easy-to-use online familymanagement journal that helps busy families manage whatmatters most family memories and household information

CareNovate Magazine readers and subscribers can sign up herefor FREE or use this discount codes to get premium membership

CARENOVPENNY $001 for the first month of Premium of Premium PlusNo expiration

CARENOVATE20 $20 for the first year of Premium or Premium Plus

Expires 412013

whats newonlineFind more of what you love

about CareNovate MagazineHealth news caregiivng tips

medication use and safety insights and tips for safe amphealthy living

This MonthSoon CareNovate Magazine can now be found on

Amazon and in the Apple Store You can find us on the bookshelves

Click on the ipad picture to the right

WRITERSLove WRITING about health care

women health Caregivers and medicalinnovation Send us your writing sample

Email infocarenovatecomSubscribe now - Click here or visit

wwwcarenovatemagcom

9 MagazineIssue 28 MagazineIssue 2

See Your Name InPrint

Send us your favorite 30 minutereceipe

We are looking foreasy quick delicious healthy

receipe to share with our extra busyreaders

It could be a dish salad baked goods orsoup Theres not limit to the origin of

the meal thats the exciting part

If your receipe is selected to appear inour next issue you will receive a

Whole Food gift cardEmail your receipe toinfocarenovatecom

ACTIONOF A TRUE

CARENOVATOR

ldquoTake care ofyour body

itrsquos theonly placeyou haveto liverdquo

ndash J i m R o h n

AboutOnecom is secure and easy-to-use online familymanagement journal that helps busy families manage whatmatters most family memories and household information

CareNovate Magazine readers and subscribers can sign up herefor FREE or use this discount codes to get premium membership

CARENOVPENNY $001 for the first month of Premium of Premium PlusNo expiration

CARENOVATE20 $20 for the first year of Premium or Premium Plus

Expires 412013

whats newonlineFind more of what you love

about CareNovate MagazineHealth news caregiivng tips

medication use and safety insights and tips for safe amphealthy living

This MonthSoon CareNovate Magazine can now be found on

Amazon and in the Apple Store You can find us on the bookshelves

Click on the ipad picture to the right

WRITERSLove WRITING about health care

women health Caregivers and medicalinnovation Send us your writing sample

Email infocarenovatecomSubscribe now - Click here or visit

wwwcarenovatemagcom

9 MagazineIssue 28 MagazineIssue 2

See Your Name InPrint

Send us your favorite 30 minutereceipe

We are looking foreasy quick delicious healthy

receipe to share with our extra busyreaders

It could be a dish salad baked goods orsoup Theres not limit to the origin of

the meal thats the exciting part

If your receipe is selected to appear inour next issue you will receive a

Whole Food gift cardEmail your receipe toinfocarenovatecom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 9: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

ACTIONOF A TRUE

CARENOVATOR

ldquoTake care ofyour body

itrsquos theonly placeyou haveto liverdquo

ndash J i m R o h n

AboutOnecom is secure and easy-to-use online familymanagement journal that helps busy families manage whatmatters most family memories and household information

CareNovate Magazine readers and subscribers can sign up herefor FREE or use this discount codes to get premium membership

CARENOVPENNY $001 for the first month of Premium of Premium PlusNo expiration

CARENOVATE20 $20 for the first year of Premium or Premium Plus

Expires 412013

whats newonlineFind more of what you love

about CareNovate MagazineHealth news caregiivng tips

medication use and safety insights and tips for safe amphealthy living

This MonthSoon CareNovate Magazine can now be found on

Amazon and in the Apple Store You can find us on the bookshelves

Click on the ipad picture to the right

WRITERSLove WRITING about health care

women health Caregivers and medicalinnovation Send us your writing sample

Email infocarenovatecomSubscribe now - Click here or visit

wwwcarenovatemagcom

9 MagazineIssue 28 MagazineIssue 2

See Your Name InPrint

Send us your favorite 30 minutereceipe

We are looking foreasy quick delicious healthy

receipe to share with our extra busyreaders

It could be a dish salad baked goods orsoup Theres not limit to the origin of

the meal thats the exciting part

If your receipe is selected to appear inour next issue you will receive a

Whole Food gift cardEmail your receipe toinfocarenovatecom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 10: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 11: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

ldquoYour magazine is a work of art I read it from cover-to-cover Again congratulations on an incredibly

information e-magazine I cant wait for the nextedition to come out I will be recommending it to all of

my followersrdquoRob Harris - RobCares Caring for

Caregiverswwwrobcarescom

October is

CareNovate Magazine MessagePharmacists are medication experts

Pharmacists truly are the last line of defense against medication dosing errors druginteractions and allergy screening Its true While you are a the drugstore or grocery take

the time to speak to your pharmacist ask questions and plan to have them review your entiremedication profile including over the counter (OTC) medicines vitamins and herbal

supplements Inform them of your health conditions medication and food allergies and letthem know if you prefer to utilizing cost-saving generic medications By maintaining an

ongoing relationship with your pharmacist you can help to protect yourself and your familyGet to know your pharmacist ndash always your partner in good health

The magazine looks awesome Itrsquos very eyecatching and I like the little boxes of statistics and

highlights throughout the magazinerdquoAngil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM Author Speaker

Consultant National Eldercare Expert - The Elder Boom

10 MagazineIssue 2 11 MagazineIssue 2

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium helping toform and maintain strong bones Several studies havedebated the adequate dose of Vitamin D A critical studyfinds that Vitamin D 600 - 800 iu per day is sufficient KEY POINTSBefore taking any OTC medication please discuss with yourdoctor provider or pharmacist to make sure that it is safe oreven necessary To avoid vitamin D deficiency at all ages and tooptimize bone health in adults and older patients according toauthors of a recent review of randomized controlled clinicaltrials SOURCES Bouillon R et al Optimal vitamin D status a criticalanalysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine J ClinEndocrinol Metab 201398E1283ndashE1304

Over The Counter (OTC)Medication Tip

Vitamin D

Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

Carenovate Magazine is a valuable resource forcaregivers of all kinds Many times caregivers are

so focused on their loved ones they neglect toattend to their own needs Im grateful that a

publication such as Carenovate Magazine exists tohelp those of us who are so busy looking out for

others that we often miss looking out for ourselves

Ms Starks of Misty Blue MediaCaregiver to Mom

We willloooooveto hear

from you

Give usyour opinion

Send usyour comments

toinfocarenovate

com

Missed the

Premier IssueGet it here

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU Our Readers Their Voices

THANK YOU

The magazine has a lot of really superb information Ilove the platform The content is great There is a lot of

helpful very current appropriate health amp caregivinginformation The information boxes are great

Karen Estrada MS Military amp Veterans Health AdvocateEducator Military Family Support

Our Readers Their VoicesTHANK YOU

ldquoWhat a lovely magazine Im so impressed by thebeautiful layout and great content Really its so

good CongratulationsrdquoMartine Ehrenclou MA - Thetakechargepatientcom

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

What a wonderful magazine So helpful for the millionsof Caregivers out there and the millions more in the

wings Thank you for sharing with the iACTcommunity

Bradshaw - Principal at BOOMboxNetworkcom

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 12: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 13: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 12

Senior Care Living Series

Private Duty HomecarePart 2 of 8

According to the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) Private Duty home careorganizations provide broad range of services from medical and nursing care to bill paying

and transportation services Their goal is to provide whatever the aged ill or disabled or theirfamilies need in order for their loved ones to remain in independence where they most want

to be-in their homes

BY ANGIL TARACH-RITCHEY RN GCM

Dear My Darling Girlfriend How are you I wanted to tell you that we have one life andhealth Its YOUR health and YOUR future and you deservethe best care possible I also wanted to remind you 1 Regular doctor visits and breast cancer screening is a goodplace to start 2 Breast cancer diagnosed early is typically easier to treat andoffers the best survival chances 3 Regular screening for breast cancer including annualmammograms and breast exams by a medical professional isimportant for you and me 4 Paying for healthcare can be difficult especially if you havelimited income and no or inadequate health insurance or arecovered only by Medicare But if youre older than 40 skippingregular mammograms is NOT an option 5 Stick with the screening plan you and your doctor decide isbest for you If scheduling problems or cost concerns arestopping you from getting a mammogram talk to your doctora hospital social worker or a staff member at a mammogramcenter 6 Ask about free mammogram programs and healthcareservices in your area Hey we have so much to do Remember Prevention if better than cureTeam CareNovate Magazine

In part 1 of the series I provided an overviewof adult day care programs When familiesfind themselves in need of care for an agingloved one many are caught off guard withoutknowing much if any about the differenttypes of care options and how to choose Education empowers you to makeappropriate decisions and this series isintended to help you do exactly that In part2 we will review private duty home care

WHAT IS PRIVATE DUTY CARE

Private duty home care is nonmedical careand is often referred to as custodial care Theservices are provided by caregivers orcertified home health aides which may varyby state regulations or the hiring practices ofan individual agency when the state lacksregulations Services are designed to help the patientremain in their home as independently aspossible or to provide respite (a breakfrom caregiving) for family caregivers byproviding assistance with companionship errands and medication

reminders Some private duty agenciestransport clients some do not Agencies thatoffer both home health and private duty mayoffer privately paid nursing therapy andsocial work but few can afford or utilizeprivate duty healthcare so for our purposes Iam only referring to the services of a homecaregiver who does not perform any medicalprocedures or services Private duty homecare services aredetermined by the patient andor the familyThis type of care is not covered by healthinsurance Private duty homecare may beon the recommendation or even insistenceof physicians hospital or rehab dischargeplanners or home health nurses Most private duty homecare services arepaid out of pocket but they may becovered in part or whole by Long-TermCare (LTC) insurance or Veteransbenefits Individual states may haveprograms providing limited private dutyhome care for low-income residentsgenerally through a state Medicaid programbut in my experience the number ofresidents who can qualify for services is verylimited

There is typically a waiting list for theseprograms or they are closed to newapplicants The agencies that contractwith them provide very limited services asdirected by the Medicaid program Checkwith your local or state Department ofAging for programs available in your areaFunding cuts are being made on a regularbasis so what was available a year agothey may be very different today Private duty care often works incollaboration with home health agenciesor hospice care because the services arevery different Patients who are in need ofhome health due to a decline in healthare recovering from surgery or an injury orhave an exasperated chronic illness mayalso need assistance with activities ofdaily living (ADLs) such as assistance withhygiene dressing and grooming obtainingmeals independently housekeepingmedication reminders andor errands toobtain groceries or prescriptions If familyor friends are unable to assist or needtime away from caregiving private dutycan fill those needs Many private duty agencies do not involvethemselves with health care at allbecause most private duty agencies arenot owned or directed by health careprofessionals and often lack the necessaryknowledge and understanding of healthcare needs but will follow direction andwork well with healthcare professionalsfrom medical type agencies Some privateduty agencies are owned by or havenurses on staff or contract registerednurse (RN) who are knowledgeable inhealthcare and will often make referralsfor healthcare needs equipment that willaid in keeping the client safe or improvequality of life They may refer otherservices that will improve outcomes andquality of life for both the client andfamily Some regulated states requireprivate duty agencies to at least contractwith an RN

KEY POINTS

Private Duty Home Care ndash ornon-medical home care ndash is the fastest

growing segment of Home Care in America

1 Private duty home care regualtionsdiffers from state to state

2 Private is not covered by healthinsurance

3 Some services may be covered by longterm care insurance or

Veterans benefits

4 Private Duty services providepatient home visits by non-medical

care by un-skilled aideswho do light house-keeping meal

preparation and companion services

5 Unlike private duty homecare Home Health services is covered 100

by Medicare

Magazine2013 Issue 2 13

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 14: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 15: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

STATE VARIATION IN PRIVATESUTY HOMECARE Private duty home care isavailable 24 hours aday365 days a year Clientscan obtain services long-term or short-term Someagencies require a minimumamount of hours per shiftper day or per week Thisvaries byagency as do the rates socheck around Some offerlive-in care but this seemsdependent on the statersquosovertime regulations for thistype of work If a patient is in need of 24hour care live-in is typicallymore cost effective if itrsquosavailable but yoursquoll want tobe sure the caregivers arenot assigned too manysequential days becauseburnout is high for thesecaregivers who often getlittle rest or time to tend totheir personal lives Each state determineswhether to regulate privateduty agencies so checkwith your state to determinewhether they license privateduty agencies ornot There are no standardprotections or standards ofcare that are requiredleaving seniors in a morevulnerable place Private duty agencies mayuse independent contractorsor hire employees toprovide care but they

cannot offer both This ispart of the reasonfor the huge range of costsin addition to the regionalcost of living If an agencyprovides an independentcontractor they are notresponsible for providingworkmanrsquos compensationunemployment insurance ordeducting employmenttaxes They have far lesscontrol than employee-structured agencies but theadded protection ofemployee based agenciescomes with a cost Agencies with employeeswhether state regulated ornot are still required tofollow state guidelines forpayroll taxes WorkmanrsquosCompensation and typicalstandards of business in thatstate Private duty agencies arenot certified by Medicarebecause Medicare does notcover these services Agencies that have bothhome health and privateduty may appear to becertified but they are onlycertified in the healthcareside of the company thatreceives Medicarepayments Their privateduty side is not certified byMedicare This can bemisleading to the generalpublic and to those whowork in healthcare who areunfamiliar with thedifferences so if an agencytries selling private duty

services with language likewersquore Medicare certified it isnot true of the services youare seeking Often agencies that offerboth Medicare certifiedhome health andnoncertified private dutyhomecare are run as if theyare distinctly separatecompanies with their own office staff even if itsoverseen by the samedirector or administratorunder the same ownershipumbrella The biggest challenge withprivate duty homecareacross the nation is the lackof consistency inregulations standardsrequirements trainingpricing and the servicesoffered so itrsquos veryimportant to be very diligentin checking out any agencyyou are considering forservices Choosing to hire individualsoutside of an agency is notrecommended becausethere are no protections forthe senior and family

SAFETY CHECK Itrsquos not unusual for individuals who have criminal backgrounds orwho have been fired from agencies to post ads in the local paper or on websites likeCraigrsquos List to obtain work Only consider hiring someone that comes highlyrecommended from a trusted source who has used their services in the recent past Itis highly recommended to request or obtain a county and state criminal backgroundcheck check employment references interview the person at length and requirethat they hold liability and bonding insurance that you also check with the insurancecompany Consult an accountant labor lawyer or elder care lawyer aboutemployment taxes so you donrsquot find yourself liable with the IRS and state treasuryfor not taking and paying taxes from their employment with you

Long-term care (LTC) insurance companies have been difficult to deal with inrecent years because their policies state that the home care agency must belicensed or Medicare certified LTC insurance companies are beginning tounderstand that licensing varies by State and Medicare doesnrsquot certify nonmedicalcare so they have been quicker to pay claims they tried to deny in the past If youare struggling with getting benefits paid due to the inappropriate language of thepolicy seek help from an agency that is familiar with your particular insurancecompany or is experienced at getting denials reversed Pull your statersquos specificrequirements or lack thereof from your state website to help educate your insurancecompany on the specifics of your state as it relates to nonmedical homecare may bevery helpful in getting benefits paid If you considering a long-term care insurancepolicy read every single word and do some investigating into the companyrsquos historyand consumer-satisfaction rating RESOURCESHome Care Association of AmericaPrivate Duty Homecare AssociationAccreditation Commission for Health CareThe Academy for Private Duty Home Care

MagazineJanuary 2012 14

MagazineJanuary 2012 15

Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN GCM is anationally known eldercare and aging

expert and the best-selling and award-winning author of Behind the Old FaceAging in America and the Coming Elder

Boom Angil has over 30 years experiencein geriatric care and advocacy She is

available for speaking engagements andconsulting for families and professionals

You can reach her through her websitehttpwwwelderboomorg

Stayed tuned for Part 3 Assisted Living

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 16: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 17: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

17 MagazineJanuary 2012MagazineJanuary 2012 7

Health Literacy is the capacity to obtain process and understand basic healthinformation and services needed to make appropriate health decisions Limited health literacy

is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs Limited healthliteracy affects peoplersquos ability to Search for and use health information Adopt healthy

behaviors Act on important public health alerts

The Impact Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday healthinformation that is routinely available in health care facilities retail outlets media and

communities

The Campaign On October 1st CareNovate Magazine team launched their very firstcampaign via social media asking health care experts educates and patients How can we

improve Health Literacy The GOAL To curate 100 TIPS See the next page for some of the tipsshared via Linkedin

CareNovate MagazineSocial Media

Campaign

Complete the sentencebelow

Using more online videos to educatepatients about diseases conditionstreatments aftercare etc Ron Adopting 3-5 key plain language messagesabout safe care [ex Ask Questions ExpectAnswers You Can Understand Make a list ofall your medicines etcLisa Writing in a way that ordinary people patients understand and forgetting FDAguidelines Ian Using pictures Paul Finding universal symbols that can provideeasy to understand information A stop signis the same anywhere in the world we justneed to develop communications that thinksgloballyDonney We can improve Health literacy by enabling

people to access health in a more empoweredway Facilitating giving informationallowing choice time listening supportingand encouraging Linda Speaking to adult social and service groupschurch groups presenting at conferences inrelated disciplines giving interviews totelevision programs and news outlets raisingthe subject in non-professionalconversations speaking to emailing andletter-writing to politicianstaking everyopportunity to inform educate andadvocateSharma Ive noticed quite a few recent blogsattempting to reduce major problems tosingle points I prefer to say that we canBEGIN TO improve health literacy byFIRST creating a relationship between theclinician and patient based on cliniciancuriosity about the patient as a uniquehuman being bearing an illness or injuryand on the patients trust in the clinicianbeyond the clinicians technical skillsKathy

We can improve health literacy by ______________________________

see some of the response below

To see the growing number of responses tips please visitwwwcarenovatemagcom or click on this bar

According to the National Library of Medicine Health Literacy is defined in the Institute of

Medicine report Health LiteracyA Prescription to End Confusion as

the degree to which individuals have thecapacity to obtain process and

understand basic health informationand services needed to make appropriate

health decisions

Health literacy is not simply the ability to readIt requires a complex group of reading

listening analytical and decision-making skillsand the ability to apply these skills to health

situations For example it includesthe ability to understand instructions on

prescription drug bottles appointment slipsmedical education brochures doctors

directions and consent forms and the ability tonegotiate complex health care systems

Check out our expert interviewwith Ms Helen Osborne

founder of Health LiteracyMonth on page

48

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 18: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 19: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

18 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 19

The Honest Toddler is written under thesupervision of Bunmi LaditanMom of 3 is the creator of the Honest Toddlerand the The Honest Toddler - A Childs guide toparenting It provides humorous insight throughquips from a childs perspective Featured inGood Morning America Canada AM CNBC Hersignificant online following that resulted in abook deal and optioned TV series by Hollywoodproducer Darren Star (producer of Sex amp TheCity)Book is available through Amazon

BookS ListTheres nothing a great book Here we share 4 fantastic ones Hope they help as you journeyin health wellness amp caregiving Email us the ones that made a major difference Email usinfocarenovatecom

Award-winning journalist Katy Butler pondersher parentsrsquo desires for ldquoGood Deathsrdquo andthe forces within medicine that stood in thewayCaring for declining parents is a reality facingmillions who may someday tell a doctor anoddly loving thing ldquoLet my parent gordquo Thisrevolutionary blend of memoir andinvestigative reporting points the way to anew art of dying for our biotechnical age Book is available through Amazon

club BookS

The Good Nurse is a true story of medicinenursing madness and murder Gripping andbrilliantly written by Charles Graeber CNN called italarming Charles Graeber is an award winningjournalist A True Story of Medicine Madness andMurderBook is available through Amazon

The Silver Lining is part memoir part guidebookthat combines the authorrsquos professionalknowledge with her firsthand personalexperience Hollye Jacobsmdasha palliative care nurse withgraduate degrees in social work bioethics andchild development amp award-winningphotographer Elizabeth Messina Jacobs offersan informative therapeutic guide for peoplewho have been diagnosed with the diseaseBook is available through Amazon

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 20: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 21: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

MagazineJanuary 2012 21

Coming Up Soon - AnotherExciting

Issue3

CareNovate MagazineNow Booking Ads for 2014

InfocarenovatecomMedia Kit

Being theNurse athomeWhen Family Caregivers BecomeHealthcare WorkersB Y M I C H E L L E S E I T Z E R

Rising senior carefacility costsIncreased longevityDecreased availability offinancial resources both publicand private to pay forspecialized care for a longerperiod of time For these andother related reasons manyof todayrsquos seniors stay homeeven with complex careneeds and family membersare finding themselveswearing the hats of nursesdoctors nutritionists andother specialized healthcareworkers normally foundwithin the walls of a nursinghome Released in October 2012 anAARP Public Policy Institutereport called Home AloneFamily Caregivers ProvidingComplex Chronic Care indicated that

- 46 percent of familycaregivers surveyed wereperforming medicalnursingtasks for individuals withldquomultiple chronic physical andcognitive conditions - 78 percent were managingmultiple medications for thosein their care 35 percentprovided wound care and - 53 percent served as carecoordinators From preparing food forindividuals on special dietsto administering IV fluids tomanaging incontinence andmore todayrsquos at homecaregivers are doing it all --and with little to no supportor training

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 22: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 23: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 22

Educate Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locatorrsquos Caregiver page) to learn about trainingopportunities for family caregivers some may be available online as well Learning more about the tasks yoursquoreperforming may alleviate some of the stress anxiety and pressure yoursquore feeling (the AARP report revealed thatmany family caregivers worry about making mistakes) and will ultimately make you a better caregiver

Delegate Reach out to other family members who may have medical knowledgetraining and ask for their help If yoursquorepart of a church congregation talk to people who work in healthcare to get their advice or assistance Find outif students from a local universityrsquos nursing or pre-med program are interested in providing care paid or unpaidfor a few hours a week Evaluate Take a close look at the time energy and resources yoursquore spending in providing this complex care (and atwhat expense -- not just in terms of money) and consider whether itrsquos truly a beneficial arrangement for allinvolved That doesnrsquot mean a nursing home placement is your only choice and next step home care is a veryflexible option with medical and non-medical care providers ready to serve InvestigateEventually families may still need to discuss the possibility of assisted living or home care as there may come atime when the family caregiver will either need respite -- some communities offer short-term stays and homecare hours can be tailored to your familyrsquos needs -- or to ldquoretirerdquo from the role of medical care provideraltogether

If you are one of these dedicated caregivers consider these tips for managing medical caremore efficiently and learn how to access the support and help that may be available to you

Michelle Seitzer spent 10 years filling various roles at assistedliving communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland then

worked as a public policy coordinator for the PA AlzheimerrsquosAssociation before settling down as a full-time freelance

writer Seitzer also served as a long-distance caregiver for herbeloved grandfather who died of complications from

Alzheimerrsquos in 2009 She has blogged forSeniorsforLivingcom which provides information on assistedliving home care and Alzheimerrsquos care since November 2008and is the co-moderator of the first ElderCareChat on Twitter

held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1 pmEST Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

amp MORE ONLINE Find more tips insights and resourcesat carenovatemagcom

Over The Counter (OTC) Medication Tip Cold Medicine in kidsEven with FDA warning dosing of coughcold meds in children persist KEY POINTThe majority of caregivers with children under age 6 presenting to an emergency department (ED) fortreatment of coughcold symptoms were unable to appropriately select and dose an OTC coughcold productfor their child in a recent study Most caregivers were unaware of potential adverse effects drug interactionsand recent warnings with these agents SOURCESLazarus SG et al Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings do concerns still exist Clin Pediatr 201352534ndash9

When The Doctor Becomes ABreast CancerPatientBy

Dr Gia SiasonBreast Cancer SurvivorPatient Care Advocate

Blogger Writer

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 24: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 25: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

2 MagazineJanuary 2012 MagazineJanuary 2012 9

1Life will be a reflection of what

you expect out of it Thinknegative and your life will just be

negative The opposite of positivity

2You attract what you want Thus

if you truly WANT somethingandor someone claim it upon

yourself that you already have it andit truly will Not immediate though

but trust that it will

3Always say thank you to

circumstances and people Begenerous in gratitude after all we

will not be the way we are now if notbecause of what these

circumstances and people havetaught us- good or bad there is

ALWAYS a lesson

4Be generous with praise It will not

cost you a single cent

5Be silent when rendering serviceto others you will be rewarded atrillion-fold In every good deed youdo to others just remember that weare just paying it forward to the God

we believe in who is all GOOD

6Trust in the power of the universegiving you what is meant for you

7Never burn your bridges It isindeed a small world after all

8Stay grounded The more you staygrounded the more you will be lifted

up

9Do not stress on the small stuffWhat is small stuff You and only

you can define it

10Personality can be modified

Character is indelible You willknow the difference when you are at

the lowest point in your life

11Peace is not the absence of noise It is when you can keep still despite

the turmoils in life

12There is always something goodin all of us So never judge unless

you feel you are perfect

13Spend time with people who

matter in your life 15 minutes in a24-hour period is not much It is thequality of the companionship that

matters

14Always be open to new

possibilities Remember thatdestiny finds a way to turn things

around to lead you to where who andwhat is meant for you Never

compare the past with what thepresent gives you After all you

might just be facing your destiny inyour face Take the chance Life and

love is all about taking risks Thebest things in life happen

unexpectedly Enjoy it

15Health is wealth We were blessed

with the body and looks that we havenow No return no exchange so learn

to deal with it and take care of itConfidence is the key Beauty is

again defined by you No accuratedefinition

I begin my musingson Life 101

by stating thatI am a proud

BreastCancer survivorhaving recently graduated fromchemotherapy August 6 2013

I share the followingultra random thoughts

and learnings I have had after mydiagnosis

which I hope will be of help to allwomen and caregivers

When I was a child I was always amazed on how Buddha looked

I love Buddhas look- fatjolly and peaceful

I love Buddhas outlook- positive and practical

Most of the notes I havejotted down below

were inspired by Buddhasimply

because I am an avid fan ofoptimism believing always in

better days no matterhow dark its

precedence may be

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 26: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 27: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

16There are no mistakes in life ONLY

lessons A lesson will be repeated all overagain and until we have learned from it we

will never advance to the next step

17Express your feelings freely and

openly We only have one life to live sogive it your best shot The more we avoidand run away from how we truly feel the

more it will catch up on you

18Live your life to EXPRESS and not toIMPRESS Work for a CAUSE and not for

APPLAUSE You will be more blessed

19Life is an echo It always gets back to

you We get what we give

20We are all worthy to be loved to be

happy and to have the best this worldcan and will offer

21In whatever you do passion will

differentiate you with those who aredetermined Determination drives you

but it is passion that sustains you

22No time is ever too late or too early

In all things you do the NOW is whatmatters

23Learn to forgive It will release us from

the experience and allow us to moveforward

24Life is meant to be lived forward never

backward Growth is inevitable Neverlook back Focus on the fact that the best

is always meant to come

)()()()()()()()(

Be Medicine SmartOctober 2013 is NCPIErsquos 28th annual ldquoTalk About Prescriptionsrdquo Month

(ldquoTAPrdquo Month) The theme for this yearrsquos TAPrdquo Month isldquoBe Medicine Smartrdquo

The focus for ldquoTAPrdquo Month 2013 improving medication adherence is a core value ofmedication safety and appropriate medicine use

To learn more visitNational Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)

wwwtalkaboutrxorg

Find Dr Gia Sison via Twitter -giasison

She is aThomasian Filipino Doctor

She is a blogger a top Kred 1influencer

She is Breast CancerSurvivorAdvocate She is a activecontributor to health care Twitter

communities such as bcsmCPHC hcsm hcsmanz hcldr

meded hchlitssmiddot

Her Blog is Sand and StoneMedical thoughts on life love and

happinessgiasisonblogspotcom

Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in more than 600 differentprescription and over-the-counter medicines including pain relievers

fever reducers and sleep aids as well as cough cold and allergymedicinesWhen used as directed it is safe and effective But taking more

than directed is an overdose and can lead to liver damage Learn more abouttaking acetaminophen safely

MedSafety Corner

WATCHTHE

VIDEO

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 28: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 29: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

29 Magazine2013 Issue

There areonly

4kinds of people in

this world

Those who havebeen caregivers

Those who currently arecaregivers

Those who will be caregivers

Those who will needcaregivers

Rosalynn CarterFormer First Lady of

the United States

Introducing

MichaelWalsh

Hersquos the co-founder and CEO of Cariloopfounder of the chapter of Health 20 inDallas a National Academy of Sports

Medicine (NASM) certified trainer

As an entrepreneur he is passionate abouthelping other entrepreneurs which lead

him to create HealthSparx - a podcast blogwhere showcase the brightest

entrepreneurs and innovations in healthand technology

When I got the opportunity to chat withhim I took it Check out our conversation as

he takes us behind the scene

By GErowelePhotos MW

New Update on GlutenFood Labeling

Until now there was no legal definition orfederal standards for the food industry to usein labeling products gluten-free In August

2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)issued a final rule that defines any food label as

gluten- free This means that patientscaregivers with celiac disease can now have

confidence in the meaning of a gluten-freewithout gluten free of gluten and no

gluten label on foods Under the FDA rule touse the claim gluten-free means a gluten

limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) infoods that carry this label This is the lowest

level or amounts that can be consistentlydetected in foods using valid scientific

analytical tools 20 ppm (parts per million) isconsistent with food standards set by othercountries An estimated 5 percent of foodscurrently labeled gluten-free contain 20

ppm or more of gluten

Key Things About Celiac Diseasebull Gluten means the proteins that occurnaturally in wheat rye barley and crossbreedsof these grainsbull 3 million people in the United States haveceliac disease bull It occurs when the bodys natural defensesystem reacts to gluten by attacking the liningof the small intestine bull Without a healthy intestinal lining the bodycannot absorb the nutrients it needs bull There is no cure for celiac disease bull Avoiding gluten is the only way to manage thedisease To learn more visit the FDA website

Kayak for theGeriatric Care Industry

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 30: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 31: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 31Magazine2013 Issue 2 30

CNM Have current Cariloop users reported any challenges using the service and how are you addressing them

MW Of course there are always challenges when introducing a new service to themarket At this point the providers are getting more and more accustomed to sharinginformation about themselves something they donrsquot do much of in the digital realm

Wersquove addressed a lot of this by cutting many of the steps out to save them time Theywonrsquot use it if itrsquos too tough to figure out or takes too much time to manage For the

caregiving community wersquove gotten a lot of good feedback about our search featureand that there are too many options there

Wersquore working on simplifying that in the next month or so

CNM Is there a reviewsystem with Cariloop If sohow simple is it Who vets

the reviews

MW There is indeed Weencourage our families to

review and comment abouttheir experience with Cariloopproviders We also expect that

providers respond whenappropriate We all makebuying decisions based onreferrals or the feedback ofothers and healthcare is no

different

All reviews are checked byour team to make sure there

isnrsquot any patient sensitiveinformation or profanity

before they get posted butother then that itrsquos an open

forum for discussionTransparency is key to our

success

CNM There has been a hugeleap forward in mobile

medical technology amp digitalhealth Where do you see

Cariloop in this space

MW Great question Yes

healthcare tech is boomingright now The senior care

industry is particularly ripe forinnovation and change which

has sparked this huge pushfor new products and

services However many ofthese companies launching

are just marketing themselvesas tools for stakeholders to

use

This is where Cariloop isdifferent During our time

here in the Health WildcattersAccelerator wersquove come tounderstand who we want tobe and how we can make a

huge impression on themarket

We see ourselves as acompany that works hard to

improve a very brokenprocess ndash making better

decisions about peoplersquos longterm care plans We just

happen to have great toolsand technology that go with

it

CNM What role(s) do youforesee Cariloop playing inthe Healthcare reform and

ACOs

MW Irsquom willing to bet thateven most of the direct

players in healthcare reformand ACOs still donrsquot know

what their role is and thatrsquosbecause much is still

evolving In the same spirit ofwhat the reform was meant to

accomplish we want to seeour efforts result in better

quality of care available andhigher levels of patientsatisfaction attained

How By making it moretransparent for all the people

in the system Patient (orldquocustomerrdquo) satisfaction startsat the very beginning so if wecan help make it simpler andfaster for people to get thehelp they need the marketshould see a higher level of

satisfaction If wersquoresuccessful in showcasing thebest providers based on pure

unbiased data then thequality of care should adjust

to those standards set

CNM We are always interested in seekingout new caregiving solutions forcaregivers and families Talk to us walk usthrough the process ndash What is Cariloop MW Cariloop empowers seniors and theirfamilies to easily access key informationabout geriatric care providers Think of it asExpedia for senior care - if your mom orgrandmother suddenly falls or developsAlzheimerrsquos disease and needs a higher levelof care Cariloop helps you understandnearby provider options availability pricingand services and connect with themimmediatelyOur platform launched live tothe state of Texas back in April 2013 CNM What does it do How can Cariloophelp a caregiver senior or sandwichgeneration caregiver MW We help care for caregivers Caregivershave one of the toughest jobs in the world ndashmanaging someone elsersquos life and healthwhile trying to still manage their own withthe same detail and precision as normal Itrsquosexhausting Itrsquos important to delegatesometimes Yes they are your loved one but

caregivers have to think about themselvesand their own wellbeing tooCariloop makes things much easier for thesecaregivers by giving them a place to finallyunderstand nearby options that can helptheir situation In just a few clicks they canfind a variety of providers nearby includingassisted living home care agencies or adultday centers that fit their unique situation Our search engine makes it easy to narrowdown those options so these people arenrsquotoverwhelmed Our belief is that caregiversdonrsquot want to see a list of 200 providers theywant to see the best 5 and connect right thenand there CNM What is the cost to caregiver orsenior care providersMW Seniors and caregivers have no financialobligation whatsoever The providers pay forthe use of our system to generate newrelationships with needing the careProviders can then pay per lead or opt for amonthly subscription

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 32: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 33: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 32

CNMWhere can caregivers

and families and more Cariloopinformation

MWPeople can come to our website athttpcariloopcom to learn morecheck out all the great stuff in our

blog and try it out for Texas We arealso very active in the social mediacircles on Facebook and Twitter sodefinitely follow us there If there

are ever any direct questions orconcerns I can be reached at

mwalshcariloopcom

Reach Michael

Cariloop - wwwcariloopcomHealthSparx - wwwhealthsparxcom

Health 20 Dallas - wwwhealth20dallascomEmail - mwalshcariloopcom

Watch the Cariloop Commercial below

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 34: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 35: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

Online Caregiving Support by

DENISE MBROWN

She launched Caregivingcom in 1996She has authored several books to help family caregivers

Her insights about the caregiving experience have been featured in TheWall Street Journal Time magazine and Chicago Tribune and on

SmartMoneycom She is also a professional caregiving coach workingwith family caregivers and professionals

We caught up with her and glad we did

Interview by G Erowele

CNM You published your very first caregivingpublication in 1995 What was your motivationDid have any experience as a caregiver then DB I had been working with familycaregivers since 1990 and wanted tooffer them a publication that felt like asupport group which arrived in theirhome In my work I saw that familycaregivers were isolated and lonely andfelt I could help solve that problem witha monthly newsletter that featured tipsfrom me and stories from familycaregivers CNM Many might not know this but youpioneered caregiving online support Youcreated and debuted Caregivingcom in 1996which is one of first online support groups forfamily caregivers How has Caregivingcomgrown since then DB Since I launched CareGivingcom thesite has grown with the advances oftechnology From the beginning it wasvery important to me that familycaregivers could connect with each otherNow members of CareGivingcom canconnect through blogs support groupspodcasts and video chats Its amazing tome that at no cost we can air livebroadcasts on CareGivingcom throughGoogle Hangouts And in thosebroadcasts visitors and members canwatch and listen to other familycaregivers share their stories worriesstruggles and successes In the earlydays our connections consisted of simplyemail messages We could never seeeach other Its awesome that now we caninteract live in a broadcast as if we werehad our own television show I love that a family caregiver can joinCareGivingcom and within minutespublish a blog post ask a question on thesite and share privately in a supportgroup with other family caregivers Theability to make meaningful connectionswith others who understand is the coreof CareGivingcom

My goal is to connect family caregiversand to provide tfind several ways to dothat CNM You have established multiple avenues tosupport family caregivers What do you likemost about your jobs DB I like everything I love to write I loveto host video chats and podcasts and Ilove to connect family caregivers I loveto try out new technology to see how wecan use it to create more meaningfulconnections I love to connect withfamily caregivers when I give a workshopor keynote presentation In particular Ilove to listen to family caregivers sharetheir stories CNM You have multiple roles You are verybusy What is a typical morningday for you How doyou stay organized DB I have daily habits which help mestay on top of maintainingCareGivingcom social media my videochats and talk shows I start working by730 am and sometimes work until 9pm with breaks during the day to readand take a walk I like to walk at leastthree miles at least five times a week Ialso schedule certain tasks to take placeon certain days For instance I publish aWeekly Comfort on Mondays a three-word prompt for our CommunityCaregiving Journal on Wednesdays and aweekly self-care plan on Thursdays I alsodelegate responsibilities to members ofthe site who volunteer So I havevolunteers who help oversee our onlinesupport groups edit our blog postsmaintain our Facebook fan page selladvertising space and coordinate andedit our self-published books

35 Magazine2013 Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 36: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 37: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

Magazine2013 Issue 2 37

CNM There has been a lot ofattention amp awareness brought tothe caregiving experience here in theUS and globally What else can weas a society do DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what theyneed We can coordinate supportso that family caregivers can takeregular breaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees andhave flexibility to be with theircarees during a health crisiswithout worrying about losingtheir jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about Ms DeniseBrown amp What is next for Caregivingcom DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle 100miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 mileslater that afternoon in the IndianaDunes and then continuing fromthere on Saturdy morning toSawyer Mich I rode as a part of anorganized bike ride for a localcharity I also have participated in60-mile and 50-mile bike ridesI hope CareGivingcom grows to bethe one-stop community forfamily caregivers that offerseverything they need for theircaregiving experience includingsupport training and products

MagazineJanuary 2012 3

CNM How do you stay healthyand share your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregiversDB I keep simple habits which becomesecond nature I eat three meals and twosnacks daily at about the same times I like toinclude a fruit andor vegetable in my snacksI cut out soda and diet soda from my diet fouryears ago and have cut down on sugar whichhas made a big difference for me I also amaware of portion size which also helps I loveto walk and ride my bike This has been abusy summer for me so I havent had a chanceto ride my bike yet I also think its importantto remove temptation and keeping healthyoptions in the houseMy tips would be Drink water throughout theday and do whatevery you can to get sleep

CNM Where do you go onlinefor your health wellness ampmedical information

DB I read The New York Times Healthsection every day and MedPageTodaycomseveral times a week CNM What advice will you give anew caregiver who happens to besandwiched in care (aging parentsand young children DB I would suggest creating a schedulewhich incorporates caregivingresponsibilities and appointments kidsactitivities and appointments and time foryourself and for your marriage

DB I really believe a schedule and routinecan help you manage the stress of trying tomeet so many needs I also think itsimportant to be flexible about your prioritiesknowing that priorities may change daily andsometimes each minute I also suggest theflexibility apply to spontaneity--its hard tobe spontaneous during caregiving so when anopportunity to have fun happens do your bestto make that (having fun) the priority Be sureto schedule activities or events that you andfamily members look forward to like FridayNight Pizza and Movie Nights Its importantthat everyone has something to look forwardto during the week Finally Ill share advicerecently shared by one of my members Suewho cares for her daughter her parents andworks a full-time job She makes sure shespends quality time with her daughter herparents her husband She focuses on themoment and the person shes with letting goof worrying about who shes not with ForSue its about about the quality rather thanthe quantity of time together

CNM There has been alot of attention ampawareness brought to thecaregiving experience herein the US and globallyWhat else can we as asociety do

DB We can support familycaregivers in each of ourcommunities--the workplace ourhospitals our doctors offices ourhouses of worship our stores anyplace people gather Familycaregivers are everywhere and yetstill struggle to get what they needWe can coordinate support so thatfamily caregivers can take regularbreaks can easily attendappointments programs andservices with their carees and haveflexibility to be with their careesduring a health crisis withoutworrying about losing their jobs CNM Tell us one fun fact about MsDenise Brown amp What is next forCaregivingcom

DB In 2007 I rode my bicycle100 miles over two days leavingdowntown Chicago on a Fridaymorning and arriving 66 miles laterthat afternoon in the Indiana Dunesand then continuing from there onSaturdy morning to Sawyer Mich Irode as a part of an organized bikeride for a local charity I also haveparticipated in 60-mile and 50-milebike rides I hope CareGivingcomgrows to be the one-stopcommunity for family caregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 38: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 39: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

QampA With Health Literacy Expert

Health Literacy Feature

By GErowele

In 1996 Helen Osborne MEd OTRL founded and became thepresident of Health Literacy Consulting As a health literacy advocate

she launched the Health Literacy Month which so many of uscelebrate every October of the year She producer and host of the

podcast series Health Literacy Out Loud and recently authoredHealth Literacy From A to Z Second Edition Practical Ways toCommunicate your Health Message In 2012 She became the

recipient of theNeil Duanne Award of Distinction and the Will Solimene Award for

Excellence in Medical Communication

HelenOsborneCNM You are a national health literacy

expert and probably know every singledefinition on the subject As the Queen of this

field what is your own definition of healthliteracy

HO Health literacy is about mutualunderstanding It happens when patients

(caregivers the public or anyone on thereceiving end of health communication)

and providers (clinicians public healthspecialists or anyone on the giving end ofhealth information) truly understand one

another

CNM Can you share with us how you got intothis field What is your background

HO In 1995 I read my first-ever articleabout health literacy It was published in

JAMA by Williams et al The articleessentially said that half or more than half

of the adults in this country struggle tounderstand written health information I

looked at my patients I looked at mypatient education materials It was

immediately clear to me Yes there is aproblem What can I do about it So I soon

left my clinical practice and started my ownconsulting business Health literacy has

been my primary focus ever since

CNM Social media is changing health carebusinesses It is also impacting how patientsnow communicates with their providers and

search for health information online What isyour take on this issue

HO I am a big believer that we need tocommunicate in all the ways that work

That includes using technology theinternet and of course social media

From my travels in developing nationsit seems that mobile phones areincreasingly a way for people to

communicate and learn

CNMWhat role do you see health careproviders and professional playing in improving

low health literacy

HO Have you seen the IOM discussionpaper about 10 Attributes of Health

Literate Health Care Organizations Ithink it is a game changer in that the

authors reframe the focus of healthliteracy from patients skills (or lack

thereof) to the alignment between thecomplexities and demands of health

care systems with patients needs andabilities

Health care providers and professionalscan help in many ways that include

1) speaking writing and otherwisecommunicating in clear and simple

ways

2) consistently confirmingunderstanding by using teach-back and

user feedback and3) developing teaching materials incollaboration with their patients or

other intended users

CNM Why is it so difficult for health careproviders to adopt the use of plain language

with patients

HO Health professionals spend many yearslearning the new language of medicine Itshard to learn again the importance of using

lay terminology when communicating wpatients their families and the public And

even harder to do so in a way that isengaging as well as understandable I often

teach plain language workshops and referto it as both a science and an art

HelenOsborne

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 40: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 41: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

43 Magazine2013 Issue 2

CNM You haveauthored severalaward winning booksYour latest award-winning book ldquoHealthLiteracy from A to ZPractical Ways toCommunicate YourHealth Messagerdquo is noexception Who wouldyou say will benefitthe most from thisgem HO I wrote this book forreaders like me -- busyhealth professionals whoneed to quickly figure outhow to communicate clearlywith patients they are aboutto treat By the many positivecomments reviews andawards I have learned thatmy book is also meaningfuland relevant to an evenlarger audience includingthose in public healthteachers and studentsphysicians health educatorsmedical writers and thegeneral public CNM You founded Health LiteracyMonth in 1999 whichhappens every

October Whatmotivated thisendeavor and what isthe theme this year HO It may be hard to fathomnow but years ago fewpeople had ever heard theterm health literacy muchless had any idea why itmattered or what to do Icreated this annual event asa way advocates everywherecould raise awareness with alouder collective voiceHealth Literacy Month hasbeen going strong ever sincewith hundreds if notthousands of awareness-raising events taking placearound the world The themefor Health Literacy Month2013 is Be a Health LiteracyHero Its meant as a way toinspire individuals teamsand organizations to not onlyraise awareness but also takeaction CNM You are thePresident of HealthLiteracy Consultingwhich started in 1996You have worked withmany organizations

How do you work withorganizations HO The focus of my work ishelping professionalscommunicate healthinformation in ways thatpatients caregivers and thepublic can understand Oneway I do this is throughspeaking and training givingkeynotes and leadingworkshops at conferencesassociation meetings andwithin organizationsAnother way is by serving asa plain languagewritereditor on a widevariety of health-relatedprinted and web materialsAnd of course there are myHealth Literacy Out Loudpodcast interviews alongwith a monthly e-newsletterPlus my book And HealthLiteracy Month too Thiscritical time of change thelay public needs to knowmore than ever about how toaccess and use thehealthcare system And whatto do when sick and how tostay well Health literacy isessential throughout thecontinuum of care

I created this annual eventas a way advocates

everywhere could raiseawareness with a loudercollective voice Health

Literacy Month has beengoing strong ever since withhundreds if not thousandsof awareness-raising events

taking place around theworld

Magazine2013 Issue 2 42

CNM Where do you seeHealth Literacy heading asthe US health care systemchanges HO At this critical time of change thelay public needs to know more thanever about how to access and use thehealthcare system And what to dowhen sick and how to stay well Healthliteracy is essential throughout thecontinuum of care CNM Whatrsquos next for MsOsborne HO This is a question I think about alot I continually look at the ever-changing field of health literacy interms of what is needed wanted andhow I can help I also reflect on whatkeeps me challenged and enthusedFor now that includes traveling(including speaking internationally)interviewing (for podcasts videos andonstage as part of my presentations) Italso includes tending to the other partof my life by spending time with familyand friends and enjoying hobbies thatincluding walking playing bridgereading and flame-working with glass

Health Literacy RESOURCESTo learn more please visit the

other pages of this HealthLiteracy Consulting website

You also can email Helen Osborneat Helenhealthliteracycom or

call 508-653-1199

5WaysSocialMediahas

ImpactedHealth

Care

5Ways Social Media hasImpacted Health Care

1YouTube traffic to hospital sites has

increased 119 year-over-year(source Googlersquos Think Insights)

260 of doctors say social media improvesthe quality of care delivered to patients

(source Demi amp Cooper Advertising andDC Interactive Group)

3Parents are more likely to seek medical

answers online 22 use Facebook and 20use YouTube Of non-parents 14 use

Facebook and 12 use YouTube to searchfor health care related topics (source

Mashable)

4The most accessed online resources for

health related information are 56searched WebMD 31 on Wikipedia 29

on health magazine websites 17 usedFacebook 15 used YouTube 13 used ablog or multiple blogs 12 used patientcommunities 6 used Twitter and 27

used none of the above (source Mashable)

530 of adults are likely to share

information about their health on socialmedia sites with other patients 47 withdoctors 43 with hospitals 38 with a

health insurance company and 32 with adrug company

(source Fluency Media)

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 42: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 43: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

By GErowele

Photo Provided by JA

She is an author and nationalspeaker that usually focuses ondifficult subjects such as cancer

and caregivingShersquos also a cancer widow

who knows the challenges ofbeing single as a mature adult

as do the millions of singlesover the age of 50that are left alone

every year by eitherdivorce or death of

a spouse

Joni Aldrich was raised in ahome where the words

ldquoI canrsquotrdquowere never used in a

sentence so she learned from ayoung age the tools and

tenacity required to perseverethroughout lifersquos challenges

She has published six booksdesigned to help readers

survive cancer caregivingbrain illness and grief

We thank her for allowing usin

CNM You have managed milliondollar businesses You cared for yourHusband and Mom both died ofcancer How prepared were you toprovide care and how did caregivingchange your life

JA Well that is somewhat of a trickquestion but a good one The trick is that Idont think that anyone in any walk oflife--even a seasoned medicalprofessional--can be adequately preparedfor providing care The following work values in my careerhelped me to be a caregiver 1Attention to details One of my favoritesayings has always been the devils in thedetails Caregivers are often put intosituations that they are poorly trained foryet they have the patients life in theirhands It is a heavy responsibility Talkabout details 2Tenacity One of my friends who hadbeen a bulldog during her husbands stageIV lymphoma battle (she was ferocious--hesurvived) told me this Above all else youhave to get Gordon to eat Gordon hadalways been somewhat overweight soforcing him to eat proved to be a battlethat I couldnt afford to lose Tenacitymeans that you must store and use everytool in your toolbox to achieve your goal 3The ability to juggle priorities Imaginegetting your husband through threeoutpatient stem cell transplants alive evenwhile youre 800 miles away from yourhome family work and support structureAdd to that working full time remotely Noone else was trained to do my job Everyworkday started at 600 am or earlier andthen shifted gears mid-morning to feeddress and get Gordon to the hospital everyday (even weekends) The next 5-8 hourswere spent in the cancer center with oneeye and ear open to what was being doneto Gordon--or both depending on thesituation--and a laptop perched on my lap

Throughout that whirlwind existence(which I refer to in The Saving of Gordon asthe eye of the hurricane) I sometimes feltlike I wasnt keeping all of those ballsjuggling in the air efficiently especiallywhen my mental and emotional stabilitywasnt what it should be Thats reallytough to admit when youre used to giving125 and your husbands life is at stakeAbove all else I knew that caregiving wasmy number one priority it was the onething that COULD NOT fail There weremany priorities but Gordon was the onlyone that mattered 4No two situations are alike When mymother was diagnosed with stage IV lungcancer I thought Oh no here we goagain However that is also when I learnedthat no two caring situations are alike Eventhough the monster in the closet was thesame the difference between caregivingfor a 43-year-old husband and an 83-year-old mother was unbelievable My husbandwas a willing patient determined to doanything to live My mother hated the factthat--because of her diagnosis--heryoungest daughter was once again caringfor a cancer patient She knew from themoment of diagnosis that her time waslimited My promise to Mother was that Iwould keep her comfortable and give herthe best quality-of-life that I could In orderto do that however my care for mothertook on a different methodology Dontassume that every care receiver is going towork with you Find the approach thatworks for both of you then refine theprocess as priorities change--which may bedaily

JoniAldrich

RealLife

CaregiverTo

Husband amp Mum

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 44: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 45: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CNM How did caregiving changeyour life

JA Caregiving is a gift that you give tosomeone you love--even though you

may not have ever expected to give thatgift With both cancer and caregiving

you learn that day-to-day smallproblems are insignificant Its the big

problems that are difficult to livethrough On the nights that I stayed withmy mother I suffered the worst kind oftorture It still haunts me today--I want

to ask every smoker WHY As I lay in thenext room with much more than sleeping

on my mind I could hear my motherfight for every breath and cry out for

help even though she was sound asleepThere was nothing that I could do except

adjust her medications and pray Godgranted my prayer in a most unusualway While my own nightly torture

continued every morning my motherwouldnt remember a thing That was a

huge miracle Caregiving for Gordon andMother taught me a lot about my ownhumanity No matter how hard you tryyou will make mistakes The Serenity

Prayer kept me grounded Grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot

change the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the

difference After the caregiving is over(which I call empty nesting) you cantdwell on the negatives Thats why eachone of my books has a chapter called IfOnly You have to allow the wounds toheal before you can focus on the scars

The scars will fade over time

CNM You are the co-owner andproducer of W4CScom the Cancer

Support Network When did youstart and what was the driving

force behind it

JA Ive always loved radio I had beenproducing my own radio shows (M-F 200

pm ET Cancer SOS Diagnosis SOSCaregiving SOS Treatment SOS and

Ladies Who Inspire) five days a week forsix months when the owner of the

network approached me about an allcancer network I told him no Then I

started to think about all of the amazingshows that Id already produced on so

many critical topics Cancer isnt asimple disease--we all know that Whatstruck me from my programs however

was that cancer is now about treating thewhole patient along with supporting

their caregiver and family I changed mymind and wwwW4CScom becamereality mid-year 2012 Were just a

newborn but one with lots of heart andhope

CNM You have multiple rolesvery busy What is a typical

morningday for you How doyou stay organized

JA As a one-woman operation I wear alot of hats Most of my day is spent in

front of a computer--not very excitingright Until you realize that I have close

to 10000 connections in cancer andcaregiving world And youd be

surprised how many hours it takes tobook promote and produce five radio

shows a week My goal is to make everysingle guest an awesome one every

single message a meaningful one Theshows are my number one priority

Organized Sometimes I just feel like Imbeing pulled along by a flood It must

work because Ive never drowned

Job Description of a Cancer CaregiverBY

JONI ADRICHAble to multitask many health-related jobs without any practical training or experience

Able to read and understand medical jargon without any practical training or experience

Able to translate medical treatments to the patient so that he or she can understand whatis being done to them

Able to spend long periods of time with a patient who is not patient and has a tendency toresemble most of the seven dwarfsmdashGrumpy Dopey Sleepy and Sneezy

Able to juggle many prescription drugs without overdosing the patient

Scheduling experience is preferred ability to get the patient to fifty doctor appointmentsin ten days

Able to perform under pressure change priorities upon a momentrsquos notice and call 9-1-1if necessary

Must not faint at the sight of blood

Light cooking is required but the job may necessitate force-feeding the patient

Should be able to maintain a germ-free work environment even with kids and pets

When you wake up every day expect the unexpected and be prepared to act

Job requires long hours but includes much appreciation from the patient

There is no pay but the benefits are life-changing

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 46: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 47: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

Magazine 2012 Issue 2 46

CNM You recently launchedBasket of Care How did you comeup with the idea JA Several years ago one of my dearfriends was diagnosed with lung cancerHe had lost his job and had no healthinsurance Struggling is a mild word forwhat Mike was going through As wetalked he asked me what types of thingshe needed at his house for his treatmentAlthough Mike didnt ask the next week Istarted collecting all of those things Iboxed them up and sent him what myMom would have called a care packageor Basket of Care (wwwBasketofCarecom)When someone you know is diagnosedyou dont know what to do or how to helpWhy not send them a basket of practicalthings that they can actually use such as awarm shawl thermometer pill organizeretc My basket designer is a cancersurvivor who puts her heart and apersonal note into every basket CNM What do you like most aboutyour jobs JA The people that I get to meet--thosewho have experienced tough timesthrough cancer and caregiving have themost amazing souls Along this journeyIve hugged so many survivors touched somany co-survivors and held so manyhands as others have cried On my radioshow Ive interviewed hundreds ofdoctors survivors caregivers and cancerfoundations I learn daily of new hopethrough diagnostic procedurescomplimentary methods and treatments Ilove it when I can connect the dots tofind help for someone in need throughcharitable organizations or finding theright cancer treatment facility My newTuesday show with Chris Jerry(wwwemilyjerryfoundationorg) is calledAdvocacy Heals U My work is not a job itsmy advocacy to support those who need

help--every single person that I can toucharound the world It has healed me CNM How do you stay healthy andshare your top 1-2 tips withwomen and caregivers JA I am a licensed Zumba instructor Forme Zumba is for balance and to stayhealthy My first tip no matter what yourlife holds (and in my work I have to dredgeup a lot of painful emotions) you musthave something to balance the ying andyang Take time for yourself Find outwhat allows you the balance youneed--especially while caregiving Thesecond tip Listen intensely to the carereceiver--whether the message is a verbalor non-verbal expressed need Honor yourloved ones personal choice on alldecisions that may affect their future even(especially) end-of-life decisionsRemember if you interfere or force theissue how will you live with a negativeoutcome The only exception is if yoususpect that the patients thinking iscompromised by either excessivemedications or a brain illness If this is aconcern you must step up with their bestinterest in mind Be a tattle-tell only whenthere is a solid reason CNM Where do you go online foryour health wellness amp medicalinformation JA Much of this comes from my shows orothers on the network When Im asked tohelp others with cancer the AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is agreat resource along with the AmericanCancer Society I particularly like being amember of selective Linked In groupswhich often give the latest and greatesthealth information for patients andcaregivers

8 MagazineJanuary 2012

CareNovateMagazine

MissionTo play a crucial role in

empowering caregivers seniorselderssandwich generation families amp women

become their ownhealth advocate amp partner

Created by sandwichgeneration caregivers

for YOUClick Here For More Info

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom

Page 48: CareNovate Magazine Caregiver's Working Moms Issue -Issue 2

Thank YouTill Next Issue

In the mean time Lets Connect on

Facebook Twiiter Pinterest infocarenovatecom

Subscribe To Get The Magazine in Your Mailboxwwwcarenovatemagcom


Top Related