You are doing your best. No one prepared you to be a caregiver. You did it because you care. I know you care because you are here. I know you want to be a better caregiver because you listen to these podcasts and visit important websites, like CircleOf.com. Your next step is to take some action. I want to help you to begin the New Year right. I wan…

Will your holidays be Merry and Bright? Christmas is supposed to be a joyous and holy time for us all. However, for caregivers, like you and me, it can also be a stressful, difficult time. The extra stress of trying to make the Season special and meaningful for our loved one is hard enough. Adding in family dynamics can really change the mood fast.…

Caregiving requires Teamwork Do you want a team of people around you for when you need help or advice? My new friends at “Circleof.com” can help. With their new APP, you can reduce the stress and hassle of finding people to help. You can create a circle of people around you to provide support. AND, you can make it easier for those around you to hel…

Are you taking care of yourself “from the neck up”? You should – your brain is also the only one you will ever have. That is why, for all my veterans friends and caregivers of veterans, I WANT YOU to REGISTER today for a Free “Brain Health Awareness Webinar this Tuesday, June 1st, from 11am to 12Noon. Register at alzfdn.org/event/veterans/ The webi…

Should you say, “It’s a RAPP”? If you want to help build a stronger community of seniors and caregivers, you should. If you want to help the many grandparents and relatives who are caring for their grandchildren or school-age relatives, you must. Most Importantly - I NEED YOUR HELP in spreading the word about Aging True’s RAPP Program in Duval and …

It is a stressful decision. But you know that it will be the best decision for your loved one. You know that someday you may have to think about bringing your loved one in a place that can provide more care. It may be a rehab facility, an assisted living facility (ALF), or a nursing home. Your loved one comes first and most important. I want to hel…

The tables have turned for you. Are you okay? It used to be that work was the most important duty in your life. Your family and loved ones were there for love and support. Now, you are caring for that most important loved one. But you still have to work. I understand. The tables turned on me in 2012, when I became the main caregiver for my parents.…

Caregiving is a reflection of your love. All that you do for your loved one (often unappreciated), and all the mistakes you feel you made by trying to be a better caregiver. The times you resist the urge to fix your loved one’s problems. That is your Valentine Story. In this podcast of Toula’s Tips for Caregivers, my guest shares her Caregiver Vale…

You are not alone in your caregiving role. I know. You hear me say that all the time. That is why I introduce new people who are here to help you. In Northeast Florida, there is another MAJOR PLAYER for caregivers and seniors like you. Aging True is a non-profit, charitable organization that enables seniors to stay home and be independent. In this …

My latest podcast is because I care for you. I share this message with you every year – Take Care Of Yourself, especially during the holidays. ESPECIALLY DURING THIS COVID-19 PANDEMIC. My podcast is the recording of my presentation during the Caregiver Coalition of NE Florida’s recent webinar. I talk about how you can be COPING WITH THE HOLIDAYS. I…

Stop what you are doing and sit down! You are amazing. You don’t tell yourself that enough, but you are. Do you feel happy? With all the craziness of caregiving that you deal with every day, and the frantic pace you set for yourself from morning to night, it may be hard to be. Happiness is overrated. So, sit down, be still, and listen. My guest and…

You are not the only one dealing with this stress. There are millions of working caregivers like you, struggling to be a good, productive, and valuable employee while still giving your loved one the care and attention necessary for a life of quality. I understand. I worked for five years while taking care of my parents. Sometimes the stress was ove…

Take care of yourself first. That has always been my message to you. I care for you. Take care of yourself so that you can take good care of your loved one. But there is more. Some day you will no longer need to be a caregiver. Are you prepared for that reality? On this podcast of Toula’s Tips for Caregivers, my guest Chris MacLellan (“The Bow Tie …

You are not alone. I know the stress can be overwhelming. You have more demands as a caregiver while doing your part to stop the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an uncertain time. We feel forced into isolation. There is HOPE. I want to help you learn activities that will help you, and resources to support you. In this podcast of TOULA’S TIPS FOR CAREGIV…

I have a new challenge for you. I want you to get out of your comfort zone; do something different. It will energize you. It will make you a better caregiver. It may even inspire others who you have never met. My guest on this podcast of Toula’s Tips for Caregivers is a great role model for you. Lynette Hipsher is Ms. Senior DIVA 2019. Although she…

Are you protecting yourself with self-quarantine and social distancing for the Coronavirus? GOOD! Are you feeling more isolated? PLEASE DON'T. **There is help.** Just because you are avoiding contact with others does not mean that you should feel isolated, especially if your loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s. In this podcast of _Toula’s Tips fo…

Are you ready for a new adventure? My special guest on this podcast, Brenda Griffin, Ms. Senior Jacksonville 2019, wants you to try something new. She also wants you to be financially secure.. Brenda is an inspiration to us all. She is an ordained minister, Bible Teacher, Financial Wellness Advocate, Information Broker, and an Influencer. She is mo…

You can stop feeling isolated. As a caregiver for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s, I know that too often it is difficult for you to find places where you can feel safe, respected, and understood. That is why the Mayo Clinic and Eldersource have partnered with the Edward Waters College Disparities Center and community volunteers to help the New…

As you get older, are you noticing that your memory is not as good as it used to be? Do you want help? Does your loved one have of a memory disorder, as Alzheimers or Dementia? Do you pray for help? BE ENCOURAGED. There are amazing people working on helping you. That includes my guest on this podcast of _Toula’s Tips for Caregivers_. Dr. Alan Snow …

This Holiday Season is supposed to be the most joyous time of the year. For most people. But not for all of us. How do you feel, Toula? Are you singing, "HO. HO. HO.", or "NO. NO. NO."? Do you know others who are dealing with the STRESS of the season? Or the GRIEF of missing a loved one now? Or maybe someone having “anticipatory grief” for someone …

Are you scared every time your loved one gets behind the wheel of the car? Are you sure there is something wrong? Are you ready to have “the talk”? Will you be able to do what is needed? Let’s face the truth. Some seniors should not be driving any more. But it is so difficult for family to do anything about it. My guest on this podcast, Matt Gurwel…

How old do you have to be to be a caregiver for your parents? You are probably thinking the answer is middle-aged or older adults, in our 40s, of 50s or better. Sadly, more and more millennials (20s to mid-30s) are becoming caregivers every day. Actually, up to 25% of caregivers in the U.S. are millennials, caring for their aging parents. That is 3…

When is the last time you had a drink? I don’t mean alcohol. When was your last glass of WATER? When was the last time your loved one had some water? You know that you and our loved one need to stay hydrated. It may be difficult to convince your loved one to drink. But it is critical to their health. It can easily land your loved one in the hospita…

Are you ready for your role when you bring your loved one to the doctor (or hospital)? It is hard. The medical staff look to you to be the voice, to answer their questions, and to make the critical decisions. You feel overwhelmed, and feel like you are invading on someone else’s personal issues. But when you are prepared, you can help optimize the …

You will want to meet the new “Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer’s Disease”. YES. There are Leaders around the world who are working together FOR YOU and your loved one. The LEAD Coalition (Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer's Disease) has over 100 multi-national organizations committed to stopping Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. They are mak…

Are you afraid of getting Alzheimer’s? We all are. What if you could reduce your risk of getting Alzhiemer’s by eating? Would that catch your attention? Yes! You can. Toula’s guest on this podcast, Cari Eyre, will tell you how. Cari is the Associate Director of Programs for the Alzheimer’s Association, North Florida Region. It is called The Mind Di…

Do you take better care of your car or home than your own brain? When is the last time you brought your car in for a checkup and oil change? When is the last time you brought YOURSELF in for a checkup? Oh, dear. May is Older American’s Month. It is a month to make sure that you are doing what you need to do to stay healthy, including brain health. …

When you hear, “football player”, what is the first thought that comes to your mind? Is it “a caregiver”? It will be after you listen to this podcast. Toula’s special guest in this podcast is former Jacksonville Jaguar defensive back Donovin Darius. Donovin was a first-round draft pick for the Jaguars in 1998, and played nine seasons with the team.…

Are you afraid that you could lose your home, and all of your hard-earned savings? If you don’t plan ahead, you someday could be facing financial catastrophe. You Do Not Have To Lose It All! Toula's special guest on this podcast has the answers you need. As a long term care specialist for over thirty-five years in Jacksonville, FL, Kim Magdalein ha…

Why is everyone talking about caregiving? As former first lady Rosalynn Carter, founder of The Caregiver Institute, said, "You either Are a Caregiver, Will Be a caregiver, Have Been a caregiver, or will be a Care Receiver." This podcast is replay of Toula Wootan's presentation to the Caregiver Workshop in March 2018 in Jacksonville, FL. In it, she …

I believe that grief is a journey that should not be walked alone. Do you agree? All of us will endure grief more than once in our lives. Are you going through that heartache now? I am. My special guest on this podcast is a friend who can help you. Rachel Weinstein is an authority on the topic. She holds a Master's Degree in Education with a specia…

This is a difficult topic for Toula. I expect it is for you, too. Death is a natural and important part of our life cycle, yet end of life care is often misunderstood and ignored. In fact, one in three Medicare dollars is spent on people who are in their last 6 months of life. On this podcast, Toula talks with Dr. Sebastian Sepulveda, author of a n…

Caregivers do have friends in Washington D.C., who are looking out for you. In this podcast, Toula talks with one of those friends, Dr. Marian Grant, Senior Regulatory Advisor for The Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (or, C-TAC). C-TAC is dedicated to the ideal that all Americans with advanced illness, especially the sickest and most vulnerable…

Did Hurricane Irma disrupt your life? Or, Harvey, or the fires in California, or any of the other major natural disasters that have hit the USA this year? Have you put off doing other important things because of it? If you put off applying for Medicare (for you or your loved one), or updating your plan, you have had some little relief – but now is …

Advanced Illness Care is a topic that most people avoid. In this podcast, Toula interviews Bill Novelli, Co-Chair of the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC), at their national Summit on Advanced Illness Care. Learn what is being done to help caregivers and their loved ones.Av Toula's Tips For Caregivers

Toula shares her own caregiver story with her friend and fellow caregiver-expert Chris MacLellan, the Bow Tie Guy.Av Toula's Tips For Caregivers

In May 2017, MSNBC Weekend Anchor Richard Lui spoke to an audience of over 800 caregivers at the Caregiver Expo of Northeast Florida (which I (Toula) organized. He told about his experience as a caregiver for his father, with Alzheimer's disease. Richard works weekends for MSNBC in New York so that he can fly back and forth from San Francisco to he…

Interview with Dr. Eloise Stiglitz, owner of Embrace Your Aging. She is a life coach who helps Seniors and their Adult Children. Toula interviewed Dr. Stiglitz at the American Society on Aging conference in Chicago.Av Toula's Tips For Caregivers

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) is a network of over 2,600 member organizations throughout the United States who provide optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia, and to their caregivers and families. In this podcast, Toula interviews Charles Fuschillo, CEO of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America to learn how the A…

It hurt. Didn’t it? Sometimes it still does. It was a turning point in your life. I understand. We all have had (more than one) time when something happened that changed us. Was it a mistake? Or, an accident? Was it “that diagnosis”? Did you lose someone close to you? But look at you. You survived. You have grown stronger. The worst is behind you. …

You do not need a doctor to tell you that you or your loved one is getting old. The aches and pains, the slow reactions, and the full medicine cabinet already tell you that. (I almost forgot – there also may be memory loss.) But you do need a special doctor – a Geriatrician – to make sure that your loved one is getting the proper care. As we get ol…

Does it really feel like a “NEW” year? Or just more of the same? It can be different. You can find strength. You can be a better caregiver this year. I can help you to step into your power. That is why I have asked my good friend, and now a life coach, Carol O’Dell, to be my guest on this podcast of Toula’s Tips for Caregivers. Carol will help us t…

Do you like paperwork? You know what I mean. Filling out application forms, collecting bank statements, making copies of documents. FINDING all those old records. I don’t like it. Not at all. But sometimes the paperwork can make the difference between getting help or getting no help at all. When it comes to Medicaid assistance – something that all …

Do you remember when you realized you were a caregiver? Did it seem like it happened “in an instant”? It can happen to us all – even celebrities, like my first guest on this podcast. Lee Woodruff is a writer, a contributing reporter for “CBS This Morning” and a contributing editor for Working Mother magazine. She also is the wife of Bob Woodruff, t…

Because we love. Because we care. Their caregiving story is touching and compelling. Just like yours. Their story is unique. Just like yours. There were difficult discussions. And hard decisions. Just like you. They showed – it is about love, respect, and honoring your loved one. Their story may receive a Pulitzer Prize nomination for an Orlando Su…

How much sleep do you really need? The best answer I have heard is, “just five minutes more!” I wasn’t the first one to say that. But I may be saying it more often. Do you agree? Do you want to say it to your loved one? To your family? Unfortunately, the normal answer from caregivers is, “I will sleep when my work is done.” Sleep! Who needs sleep? …

Can I trust you with my secrets? No. I don’t want you to keep them. I want you to SHARE them! Let your loved ones, your family, your friends, your co-workers, and even your boss know them. These secrets are too important! Everyone must know! These are secrets about how to be a better caregiver. You have told me some of your secrets, like how you sk…

Do you remember how proud you felt? Weren’t you proud as a little child, being able to say the full alphabet, in order? Did you have your biggest smile when you spelled a new word? Now, as a caregiver, do you know the “caregiver alphabet”? Can you recognize all those new caregiver terms? What is SNF? (No, it is not “Saturday Night Fever.”) What is …

Did your parents share any of their recipes? Their recipes for caregiving, I mean. You may be taking care of a parent or grandparent. Just like your parents did. And their parents. Maybe they were part-time, or long distance caregivers. It is still caregiving. You know how that works. What did you learn from them? Did they have any advice for you? …

Are we changing against our will as we get older? Do things get worse for us as we age? Is getting old really “Life’s Most Dangerous Game”? What do I think? When I look at photos of my past, and my parents’ past, I think that what I was told is true. But not everyone believes this. My exceptional guests on this podcast do not. These myths are FALSE…