WELLNESS Coping with & Managing Life Changing Crossroads

Caryn Isaacs, Patient AdvocateLori Metz, Personal Motivational Coach,

MSW, LCSW, CCM

e-MOTION LIFE CHANGE CENTERS1711 Sheepshead Bay Rd. Brooklyn, NY 11235

MANHATTAN BROOKLYN STATEN ISLAND LONG ISLAND

e-MOTION LIFE CHANGE CENTERS

“ HELP TO PUT YOUR PLANS IN MOTION”

Caryn Isaacs, Patient Advocate• 30 years experience• recognized expert• respected by doctors• researcher• analyst• family liaison• visionary

AGENDAThe

Caregiver Assessment

What do we hope to achieve?

Creating an Action Plan

How to ask for help.

Where are the

resources?

Lori Metz, LCSW ,CCM Psychotherapist, Personal Motivational Coach

• 20 years of experience in health care

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

• Certified Case Manager (CCM)

• Biopsychosoical Approach to Wellness

• Expertise in Health Care Program Development Patient Safety

What do we hope to achieve?Understanding Who You Are Bio-Psycho-

SociallyUnderstanding Where You Stand PhysicallyUnderstanding Your Emotional SideIdentify Triggers & BarriersLearn Techniques for ChangePrioritizing Your Needs Learn Where and How to Get HelpWellness- A State of Being

The Caregiver Assessment As we go through this session

You will mark your Caregiver Assessment Formwith the answer that best fits your situation.

Later you will be able to assess your own needs and create an action plan.

Understanding Who You AreSelf

DescriptionYes No Maybe

Do you like to share?

Do you like to be in control?

Do you like to be responsible?

Do you like to sit on the sidelines?

Are you introverted?

Understanding Who You Are, continued

Self Description Yes No MaybeYou like to be a comic?

Do you take things seriously?

Do you enjoy being alone?

Do you like caring for others?

Do you like to listen to what others are saying?

Do you know yourself?

Understanding Where You Are Physically Emotionally Socially

Your Physical Health Question Yes N

oNeed to think about it

Are you in good health?What does that mean?

How is your physical health? Are you physically able to care for someone? In their home?Run to store?

Are your health care needs being met?

Your Emotional SideEmotion Ye

sNo

Sometimes (explain)

Are you typically happy?

Are you typically sad?Are you typically calm?Are you typically frustrated?Are you typically anxious?Are you typically excited? Are you typically excitable?How would you describe how you feel?

Have your feelings changes since you became a care giver?Have your feelings since this crossroad in your life?

Gregory, Disler & Firth (1996)

“The care giving routine gradually seemed to become a way of life, particularly for older caregivers, and was accepted as one’s lot or as the way things are.”

Your Social SideSocial Indicator Yes No Would you

like to change this?

Are you single?

Do you have children?

Do you have close friends?

Close family?

Do you work?

Your Social Side, continue

jjj

Social Indicator Yes No Would you like to change this?

Do you have to do/help with homework?Do you have help in your home?Do you have financial concerns?Do you have a support system?

Do you have any needs that are not being met?

About the one who calls you Care Giver

Your Significant Other

Yes No N/A, Not Sure, Sometimes

Is the condition chronic?Is the illness chronic?Is the condition terminal?

Can the person do the following independently: Ambulate?•Bath?•Cook?•Dress?•Communicate?

About the one who calls you Care Giver, continued

Your Significant Other

Yes No N/A, Not Sure, Sometimes

How is the person coping with the condition?• Content?• Happy?• Sad?• Depressed?• Frustrated?• Has this changed the

person’s outlook on life?

About the one who calls you Care Giver, continued

Your Significant Other

Yes No N/A, Not Sure, Sometimes

What is the person’s social standing :

• Is the person able to maintain the same socialization patterns?

• If the person was working – are they still earning an income at the same job?

• Different job?• Disability?• Does the persons have

hobbies?• Is the person able to

leave the house?

Techniques for Change

Start With:Understanding Who Your AreUnderstanding What You Can Do, and Understanding What Is Needed.

Developing a Plan.

“We need a plan.”I WISH WE HAD A PLAN

PRIORITIZEUnderstanding Who Your Are

Understanding What You Can Do, and

Understanding What Is Needed

PRIORITIZEMake a list for the daily routine.Make a list for the health issues.Make a list for the housing issues.Make a list for the emotional issues.Make a time line for each.Do one thing at a time. Focus on the

assignment.Add new items in priority order.

Triggers & Barriers

Each patient & care giver situation is unique Each patient & caregiver will have their own specific

“triggers” & “barriers.”Triggers -

What are Triggers?What are Your Triggers -

Barriers - What are they?What are yours?

“I knew he was really sick. He hasn’t complained about anything for three days.”

Your Change Pledge

From: I recognize that I currently feel ……… frantic, disorganized, paralyzed……

To: I will think before I act, be more organized, make an action plan.

Evaluation & Plan If you have 8-10 Yes answers; Congratulations! You are ready for your wellness

journey. You may want to ask a trusted professional, such as your doctor or a social worker at the local hospital or senior center to provide you with resources on-line and in your community. Don’t forget to prioritize your plan.

  If you have 5-7 Yes answers; Congratulations! You are on the right track. You

may benefit from speaking to a Patient Advocate or a Psychotherapist/Coach to help you develop and prioritize your wellness plan.

  If you have 0-5 Yes answers; Congratulations! You have taken the first steps

towards wellness by recognizing that you need help in developing and prioritizing a plan. You will strongly benefit from speaking to a Patient Advocate or a Psychotherapist/Coach to help you develop and prioritize your plan.

How to Ask For HelpKnow it.Ask a friend?Ask a relative?Ask your health care provider?Research on the internet?Ask at a community center?Communicate your needs.

Where are the Resources?Community √ Your Building √ Neighborhood Assoc. Internet

√ Learn Search √ Join GroupsPatient Advocate

√ Research √ Liaison √ Support

Resources – Places to StartSenior Umbrella Network of Brooklyn sunb.org

US Dept. of Health & Human Services Elder Care Locator Zip code listing of government resources eldercare.gov

Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICAREwww.aging.ny.gov/HealthBenefits/

HIICAPIndex.cfmNYS Health Insurance Counseling 1-800-701-0501.www.nyc.gov/html/dfta/html/home/home.shtml

or 311https://www.benefitscheckup.org

Counseling ServicesCounseling services Resources can help by:

Providing a safe place to discuss your feelings & your thoughts

Providing objectivity

An understanding of the impact of what your are experiencing

WELLNESS Capable, Resourceful Self Sufficient, Supported Calm, Serene, Peaceful, Content

Empowered, Satisfied, Happy

SummaryUnderstanding who you are

Understanding what you need to be the best care giver

Understanding the services available

Understanding why & how to develop a plan

Understanding how we can help

Thank you!Caryn Isaacs, Patient Advocate

347.965.9222GetHealthHelp.com

Lori Metz, LSCW, CCM917.655.9776

PersonalMotivationalCoach.org

WELLNESS Coping with & Managing Life Changing Crossroads

Caryn Isaacs, Patient AdvocateLori Metz, Personal Motivational Coach,

MSW, LCSW, CCM

e-MOTION LIFE CHANGE CENTERS1711 Sheepshead Bay Rd. Brooklyn, NY 11235

MANHATTAN BROOKLYN STATEN ISLAND LONG ISLAND