“Caregiving 101” Blog

This Week’s Featured Radio Podcast

Listen to Volume # 060 —“Ted Royston and Cindy Alleman” (Podcast)

“Caregiving 101” on KKYX Radio 680am San Antonio, Texas
Hosts: Starr & Bob Calo–oy
Guest: Cynthia Alleman and Ted Royston
Broadcast Date: April 11, 2009

Cynthia Alleman tells us about Acadian on call, which is a Emergency Response Service.  This is a subscription service with 24-7 monitoring in your home.  You wear a pendant or wristband, and are monitored through a certified central station, and they have paramedics on staff around the clock.  They are ready for any emergency you might have, whether it’s a fall, police, fire, or any other emergency.  (more…)

This Week’s Featured Radio Podcast

Listen to Volume # 059 —“Maxine Vieyra and Marissa Chapa” (Podcast)

“Caregiving 101” on KKYX Radio 680am San Antonio, Texas
Hosts: Starr & Bob Calo–oy
Guest: Maxine Viera and Marissa Chapa
Broadcast Date:  April 4, 2009

Leeza’s Place helps provide a place for caregivers to recharge; an oasis.   Caregivers need resources for a more productive life, to help them better care for their loved-ones and at the same time take better care of themselves.  Here they can know that they’re not alone and that they have a safe place to come-in and get that energy and education they need. 

Caregivers often feel guilt about taking time-off for themselves.  Here they learn the importance of this self-care.  There is a library available, doctors, and other guest speakers too.  They are there to embrace you to lend a hand, and when you share your story, you will be directed to information that applies directly to your challenges.  They have support groups every Wednesday, facilitated by social workers. 

They have support groups composed of caregivers.  You can go there and share freely and safely exactly what you are going-through.  It’s a great place to make friends with people that share many of your experiences.  One site is at the Bob Ross Center; they have extra resources that are open to individuals 60 years and older.  You can then participate in computer labs, aquatic classes, and nutritious food (lunch and snacks) is available too.  Activities such as trips and other events are available weekly.  All is free of charge.  They are always looking for volunteers, so give them a call if you want to give back to the community.

 Starr & Bob Calo-oy created CaregiversAdvice.net to help, encourage, and support caregivers. Through weekly Radio Shows on KKYX 680am San Antonio, they host special guests who cover many unique topics concerning caregiving. They also have weekly TV Segments on KENS TV 5 San Antonio where they share caregiving and marriage tips. All of these programs are archived as Radio Podcasts and TV Podcasts for your easy listening. Visit their sister site, Marriage101.net for marriage help and encouragement. Starr has written Four Books on Caregiving.

This Week’s Featured Radio Podcast

Listen to Volume # 058 —“Dr. Mitch Finnie” (Podcast)

“Caregiving 101” on KKYX Radio 680am San Antonio, Texas
Hosts: Starr & Bob Calo–oy
Guest: Dr. Mitch Finnie
Broadcast Date: March 28, 2009

Dr. Mitch Finnie discusses with us the home care services he offers for those with dementias and those that are dying. (more…)

This Week’s Featured Radio Podcast

Listen to Volume # 057 —“Elvira Cisneros and Dr. Martinez” (Podcast)

“Caregiving 101” on KKYX Radio 680am San Antonio, Texas
Hosts: Starr & Bob Calo–oy
Guest: Elvira Cisneros and Dr. Martinez
Broadcast Date: March 21, 2009

Dr. Martinez is with WellMed, at SW Military, where there are many senior care services.  Daily meals are provided by the City of San Antonio, and there is a Nintendo Wii game system to help provide a healthy way to spend time.  (more…)

This Week’s Featured Radio Podcast

Listen to Volume # 114 —Nora Jean Levin “How to Care for Your Parents” (Podcast)

“Caregiving 101” on KKYX Radio 680am San Antonio, Texas
Hosts: Starr & Bob Calo–oy
Guest: Nora Jean Levin
Broadcast Date: April 24, 2010

Entrance into the life as caregiver is often shocking and sudden.  It is difficult to get organized, with new health and safety concerns.  Do you know what resources are available?  Who do you turn to?  What was the bank account number?  Didn’t she/he have a specialist or a doctor for this?  Do you have a neighbor or friend from church that might help?  Maybe you are catapulted into care with no preparation, and the elder was self-caring until this last day or so.  Is there any paperwork with her information?  How do you establish Power Of Attorney?

Each spouse should have a POA (Power Of Attorney) and a copy of each other’s will.  This is important because physical/mental decline may not be gradual.  It is possible for a caregiver to do this sometimes.  Put a list of meds/allergies/blood type, doctors and other persons of importance in a personal file.

There are many gadgets available today that make it much easier to monitor and care for your charges.  Electronic calendars can help you and your family track “who is coming when, and whose turn is it now?”  Webcams are available now that will allow you to speak to and see your loved one from a distance, and ask them “Are you taking your meds?” while you can see with your eyes how they are doing, by using programs such as Skype.  There are sensors available that can turn lights on and off, and motion sensors that can help them in their household.

Have you heard about the Caregiver Award Program?  It is Important to thank the caregiver, and provide a way for families to thank caregivers.  Caring from a distance will honor them with name and date of presenting family.  There is a public LDC (long distance care) award that can be found on the website.  Take a moment out of your busy schedule and let that special someone know that they mean the world to you.  A kind word or gesture such as this can make all of the difference to your precious caregiver or family member.

Starr & Bob Calo-oy created CaregiversAdvice.net to help, encourage, and support caregivers. Through weekly Radio Shows on KKYX 680am San Antonio, they host special guests who cover many unique topics concerning caregiving. They also have weekly TV Segments on KENS TV 5 San Antonio where they share caregiving and marriage tips. All of these programs are archived as Radio Podcasts and TV Podcasts for your easy listening. Visit their sister site, Marriage101.net for marriage help and encouragement. Starr has written Four Books on Caregiving.

This Week’s Featured Radio Podcast

Listen to Volume # 056 —“Doug Fusella” (Podcast)

“Caregiving 101” on KKYX Radio 680am San Antonio, Texas
Hosts: Starr & Bob Calo–oy
Guest: Doug Fusella
Broadcast Date: October 3, 2009

New Lifestyles evolved to provide information to help families and those needing care since there was no ‘how-to’ manual to be found.  This is a one stop shop for the caregiver.  (more…)

This Week’s Featured Radio Podcast

Listen to Volume # 030 —“Flo Baurys Phillips” (Podcast)

“Caregiving 101” on KKYX Radio 680am San Antonio, Texas
Hosts: Starr & Bob Calo–oy
Guest: Flo Baurys Phillips
Broadcast Date: September 13, 2008

The Alzheimer’s Association publishes statistics to show us how important radio shows like Starr and Bob’s are.  Did you know that every 2 minutes another American is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease?  Every day it takes the life of another 181 people. (more…)

This Week’s Featured Radio Podcast

Listen to Volume # 023 —“Professor Fernando Torres-Gil” (Podcast)

“Caregiving 101” on KKYX Radio 680am San Antonio, Texas
Hosts: Starr & Bob Calo–oy
Guest: ProfessorFernando Torres-Gil
Broadcast Date: July 26, 2008

Here are some interesting statistics which define our demographic reality: (more…)

This Week’s Featured Radio Podcast

Listen to Volume # 022 —“Brain, Heal Thyself” (Podcast)

“Caregiving 101” on KKYX Radio 680am San Antonio, Texas
Hosts: Starr & Bob Calo–oy
Guest: Madonna Siles
Broadcast Date: July 19, 2008

Eve suffered from heart failure, brain aneurysm, and hemmoragic stroke. Within a few days she underwent several brain surgeries. Following the surgery, she was unresponsive, in a coma, and unable to care for herself.

After insurance covered hospitalizations and nursing care was exhausted, Madonna took Eve into her home to care for her. Madonna took Eve to therapists everyday, driving two and a half hours daily for months. Soon it was time to bring her home for 24-hour care.

Largely drawn from the A.A. 12-step program, Madonna’s approach is this: Look at life from your loved one’s point of view, then figure out how you are going to walk through the day together. Do not say “Go to bed”. Do not say “Watch T.V”. That’s the easy out. Say Lets do this. At first it will seem that you are dragging them along, but remember, it’s one day at a time. Control your expectations, and if you don’t have a plan, have the attitude! Every morning say a prayer together, asking God to show you His will; ask Him to lead you.

Teach your loved one survival tactics. Get involved. Repeat the daily tasks it takes to run the house with your loved-one. Be hands-on. Work on reteaching these tasks the way that they used to do them when they were well. You will want to start-out with their favorites. Build on these chores and make them special so that they can “get back to speed again”. This is the essence of rehabilitation. You don’t need high technology or new solutions; just get back to basics. They can then reconnect with those deep-set memories. You will soon be able to set tasks that you can then praise (you’ll get a twinkle of an eye and see a smile on their face). Find three miracles a day; three things that happened that you don’t control that are also beyond your expectations.

Starr & Bob Calo-oy created CaregiversAdvice.net to help, encourage, and support caregivers. Through weekly Radio Shows on KKYX 680am San Antonio, they host special guests who cover many unique topics concerning caregiving. They also have weekly TV Segments on KENS TV 5 San Antonio where they share caregiving and marriage tips. All of these programs are archived as Radio Podcasts and TV Podcasts for your easy listening. Visit their sister site, Marriage101.net for marriage help and encouragement. Starr has written Four Books on Caregiving.

This Week’s Featured Radio Podcast

Listen to Volume # 112 —“Vickie Rackner” (Podcast)

“Caregiving 101” on KKYX Radio 680am San Antonio, Texas
Hosts: Starr & Bob Calo–oy
Guest: Vickie Rackner
Broadcast Date: April 10, 2010

Vicki Rackner, author of “Caregiving without Regrets” shares that as soon as she saw her son for who he is, and not compare his development to that of other children his age, their lives made a remarkable turn for the better.  She was then able to see him for the wonderful blessing he is, learn from him, and see the world from his point of view.   (more…)

This Week’s Featured Radio Podcast

Listen to Volume # 013 — Maya Hennessey – “Caregiving Tips from Maya Hennessey” (Podcast)

“Caregiving 101” on KKYX Radio 680am San Antonio, Texas
Hosts: Starr & Bob Calo–oy
Guest: Maya Hennessey
Broadcast Date: May 17, 2008

When Maya Hennessey was Caregiver for her husband, she began to write. She soon learned that when a caregiver suddenly has 15 new things to do NOW, that they have never done before, it is Very stressful and very demanding. (more…)

This Week’s Featured Radio Podcast

Listen to Volume # 008 — Adrianna Trevino – “Natural Death vs. Medical Death” (Podcast)

“Caregiving 101” on KKYX Radio 680am San Antonio, Texas
Hosts: Starr & Bob Calo–oy
Guest: Adrianna Trevino
Broadcast Date: April 12, 2008

Dr. Cisneros is that rarest of creatures…a Doctor that still makes house calls. “Home is the best place to be when you are ill”, Dr. “C” says. He goes-on “There is a lot of suffering and fear as human beings. Medical care is really not personalized. You can’t get that love in the hospital. Hospice focuses on the caregiving at home”. Healing is more than just clinical medicine. (more…)

This Week’s Featured Radio Podcast

Listen to Volume # 101 —Starr & Bob Calo-oy – “Starr & Bob Calo-oy” (Podcast)

“Caregiving 101” on KKYX Radio 680am San Antonio, Texas
Hosts: Starr & Bob Calo–oy
Guest: Starr & Bob Calo-oy
Broadcast Date: January 23, 2010

Today was a wonderful show with  stories and advice  about caregivers’ guilt.  They ministered the families of the patients, discussing their feelings and the hurt in their hearts.  This very subject inspired their first book “The Caring Caregivers Guide to Dealing With Guilt”. (more…)

This Week’s Featured Radio Podcast

Listen to Volume # 074 —Valerie Taylor & Alternative Choices – “Valerie Taylor” (Podcast)

“Caregiving 101” on KKYX Radio 680am San Antonio, Texas
Hosts: Starr & Bob Calo–oy
Guest: Valerie Taylor
Broadcast Date: July 18, 2009

We need to have as many options as possible when we are dealing with our loved ones in nursing home placement.   Valerie cheerfully spoke about how nice it is to have a more personalized residential home setting.  This is more comfortable for those who don’t have the requirements only to be found in a nursing care facility.  There ARE options out there, and you should use them! (more…)

This Week’s Featured Radio Podcast

Listen to Volume # 098 —“Starr and Bob Calo-oy New Year” (Podcast)

“Caregiving 101” on KKYX Radio 680am San Antonio, Texas
Hosts: Starr & Bob Calo–oy
Broadcast Date: January 2, 2010

God’s Mercies are renewed every morning.  People across the world take this time every January to begin a brand new year, and to bring change into their lives.  Start your new caregiving year in fresh and positive ways. (more…)