Nursing is my sacred profession!
I have a story to tell. The first encounter in the world of nursing was as a lifeguard, saving the pool manager’s life. He inhaled chlorine gas, changing a tank. His absence from the office was unusual, and in searching for him, I found him unresponsive and barely breathing. Putting the first aid skills into action learned in lifeguard training and seeing him recover was the first time it dawned that a profession of serving others was my calling. That experience framed who I am today. The laying on of hands saved his life. I wanted to learn and know…
Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate: Dr. Cynthia Speaks!
Do you have a safe place for important papers? Do family members know where to find them? Who is in charge of your affairs?
Preparing for the known and unknown is a topic that many are not interested in discussing. While taking care of my mother, the repeated lesson learned and one I share in my book: From The Lens Of Daughter, Nurse, and Caregiver: A Journey of Duty and Honor, the vital need to know the wishes of family under your care. …
Topic: Normalcy in the Role of Caregiving
Now that we are getting close to returning to some form of normalcy, we must realize that our new norm has created many new opportunities for growth as a caregiver. The initial thought that is front and center for me is gratefulness. I am grateful that I have managed to stay safe during a year of uncertainty and loss. I am thankful that I get to share my caregiving story with the world, to give nuggets to others currently experiencing the ups and downs of being a caregiver. It is not an easy job. The demands on a caregiver offer…
Topic: Caregivers: Help is on the Way!
Have you heard the good news? CAREGIVERS, help is on the way. Well, before we get too excited, let us look closely at the role of caregivers. At the top of the list is selflessness. What is a fair wage for self-sacrifice, giving up one’s own pursuits or aspirations to help others? As you know, caregivers provide an array of tasks to support care recipients. They work long hours and, for years, have rarely been supported financially in a significant way. There is no time like the present to recognize the value of the caregiving role. If the current administration’s…
Topic: What Can We Learn by Being a Caregiver: Wisdom of Our Elders
Let me start by saying…I have missed you! I missed sharing my blogs with you! I have been away with the Leadership Experience Speaker (LET) Tour in Troy Michigan. I had the incredible opportunity to share my caregiving story on the national and international stage. Thank you, Shawn Fair, and the LET for believing in me and opening up this awesome opportunity.
The take-away from my presentation and presentation of others is…we all have a story, and we can gain wisdom from the words we speak and…
Topic: Nutritional Health Is for You!
Thank you for journeying with me during the month of March. I appreciate you taking the time to hang out with me and learn about the importance of eating to stay healthy and feeding your loved-ones in healthy ways.
One way to start the process is to read food labels and ask questions if you do not understand them. Food labels are one way to monitor calories, fats, sugars, salts, fibers, and micronutrients. Today is always a good day to practice healthy eating by preparing meals that fuel the body and the mind. Love to all…Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate. Please visit my website…https://cynthiajhickman.info/ to read all the cool content on nutritional health.
Topic: Nutritional Health Is for The Caregiver and The Care Recipient
Well, we did it! Remember, I committed the month of March (my birthday month) to share proactive tips to better care for our care recipients. The month of March has come to an end. The last blog on nutritional health will consider both, the caregiver, and the care recipient. Let us end the month by sharing insights on the fact that nutritional health goes both ways. The caregiver needs to eat healthily and provide healthy meals for our elderly parents or relatives.
Caring for the elderly takes a lot…
Topic: Do Men Do Better with Nutritional Health as Caregivers?
Don’t you ever count out the men in our society who cares for their loved-ones? Yes, I know; people think it is a female oriented role. Tis true! That is accurate information, documented in an array of research journals. Guess what? Men are navigating the role of caregiving from all aspects.
Never Compare, Only Support!
I am not sure why as a society, we compare each other. Caregiving does not have a gender. Male caregivers have the same goals and desires as female caregivers; to provide care and proper diet and nutrition to their elderly loved-ones. There are studies that…
Topic: Nutrition, Bad Teeth, and Dentures
Caregivers, have you check on your loved one’s mouth often, if not daily. Did you know bad teeth and poorly fitted dentures and painful gums can affect nutrition? Did you also know there are foods that are problematic with dentures and bad teeth? Maintaining a usual diet could have challenges to enjoying favorite foods. This does not suggest you have to forgo the array of foods you may like. We know what happens when someone tells us” NO.” We want it even more, RIGHT? What to eat with a less than perfect mouth set of choppers may surprise you. Food…
Topic: Nutrition and Medicine in The Elderly
As I continue to honor my word of sharing nutritional health tips in March, let’s think about the foods seniors love to eat and the medicines they take daily. Some medications can affect appetite or the capacity to take in nutrients because of medications. Foods can augment, delay, or lessen drug absorption.
What medicines affect nutrition?
As a caregiver, it is important to know the relationship with food and medicine. Did you know antibiotics affect nutrition? While on antibiotics yogurt is a nice food choice to use with the elderly. Foods to avoid while on blood thinners…
Dr. Cynthia J. Hickman
Dr. Cynthia J. Hickman is author and speaker. Her book: From the Lens of Daughter, Nurse, and Caregiver: A Journey of Duty and Honor shares caregiving tips.
