Presentation & Workshop Descriptions
Keynote Presentations
21 Mistakes Caregivers Make & How to Avoid Them
Toni draws from the information from her book, 21 Mistakes Caregivers Make & How to Avoid Them, to share the common mistakes caregivers make and teach the superpower skills that enable them to thrive in their role.
Toni uses humor and vulnerability to connect with caregivers and guide them to a better path on their journey where there are fewer potholes and stumbling blocks. During this presentation, caregivers gain knowledge, information, and confidence to continue their journey.
Topics covered include:
đź’™ Prepare for a Health Crisis
Mistake: Unprepared for a health crisis. You don’t relate to the title “Caregiver,” you don’t organize the health history of your loved one (or yourself), and you take your responsibilities for granted.
đź’™ Heed the Warning Signs
Mistake: Everything changes, and you fail to change. You may notice warning signs but ignore them. There may be denial thinking, for example: “This can’t be happening,” and deciding that taking action to help your loved one can wait.
đź’™ Understand the Caregiver’s Role
Mistake: Failure to shift your mindset. You don’t know what you don’t know about caregiving because you haven’t been there before. As a result, you fail to shift your mindset about the circumstances and your role. Therefore, you are unaware of your new responsibilities and don’t speak up to authority.
đź’™ Prioritize Caregiver Well-Being
Mistake: You don’t prioritize your well-being. You don’t take care of yourself first, ask for help, or look for and find resources to support you and your loved one.
đź’™ Demonstrate Effective Communication
Mistake: Ineffective communication skills with your care recipient, family, and physician. You fail to find out what your loved one needs and wants and how family and friends can help, and you settle for an incomplete understanding of doctor’s orders and explanations.
đź’™ Plan for an Uncertain Future
Mistake: Not planning for an uncertain future, you don’t have legal documents in order, and are unaware of financial information for yourself or your loved one.
đź’™ Make Happiness a Priority
Mistake: Dismissing happiness and celebrating life because of the health issue or deterioration, and you put your permission to enjoy living on hold and cease or question your connection and guidance with a higher power. Not realizing when you overlook giving and receiving love in your relationships.
This presentation provides an understanding of the caregiving experience, caregiver responsibilities, how to approach the challenges, be prepared for the stressors, and have a more joyful experience. Discussing the Mistakes brings attention to the things that can blindside the caregiver if no one has trained them to prepare for or notice them. To increase confidence, I guide the caregiver in the skills to identify responsibilities, manage communication, and ask for support.
The Empowered Caregiver: Prepare for Care
Caregiving is physically and emotionally demanding. Preparing to care for a family member involves several essential steps to ensure the well-being and support of both the caregiver and the family member receiving care. In this presentation, Toni offers strategies to help the caregiver plan and prepare to create a healthier and more balanced caregiving experience.
Topics covered in this presentation include:
đź’™ Gather Information and Create a Care Plan
Learn about your family member’s medical condition, treatment plans, and any specific needs they have. Consult healthcare professionals, such as doctors or nurses, to understand their requirements and potential challenges that may be encountered. Develop a comprehensive care plan that outlines the individual’s daily activities, medication schedules, dietary needs, and any special instructions. This plan will help you stay organized and ensure that the person receives the necessary care consistently. Regularly reassess the care plan and adjust it as needed to provide the best possible support for the individual in your care.
đź’™ Coordinate Medical Care
Keep a record of medical information, including medications, allergies, and previous treatments, to share with healthcare providers as needed. Arrange appointments with healthcare providers, specialists, therapists, or other professionals involved in the individual’s care.
đź’™ Prioritize Self-Care and Seek Support
Caring for someone else requires taking care of your own well-being too. Prioritize self-care activities, such as exercise, restful sleep, maintaining social connections, and pursuing hobbies or interests. Practice stress management techniques, seek support from others, and consider respite care options to prevent burnout. Reach out to family, friends, or support groups who can provide assistance, guidance, and respite care when needed. Don’t hesitate to ask for help or delegate tasks to lighten the workload.
đź’™ Establish Communication Channels
Maintain open and regular communication with your family member, the healthcare team, and other involved parties. Stay informed about changes in the individual’s condition and update those concerned about their well-being, progress, or any concerns.
đź’™ Organize Documents and Legal Matters
Ensure you have access to important documents, such as medical records, insurance policies, legal documents (power of attorney, advanced directives), and contact information for healthcare providers. It is essential to familiarize yourself with the individual’s wishes regarding medical decisions and legal arrangements.
đź’™ Financial Considerations
Understand the financial implications of caregiving and plan accordingly. Explore insurance coverage, government assistance programs, or financial support options available for the individual’s specific needs. Consider consulting a financial advisor or elder law attorney for guidance on long-term care planning.
đź’™ Prepare the Living Environment and Educate Yourself
Ensure the living space is safe and accommodating for your family member’s needs. Make necessary modifications such as installing handrails, removing tripping hazards, or rearranging furniture to improve accessibility and reduce the risk of accidents. Take time to learn about caregiving techniques, such as administering medications, providing personal care, managing mobility aids, and handling emergency situations. Attend workshops, training programs, or seek guidance from healthcare professionals to enhance your caregiving skills.
Empowered caregivers enjoy better relationships, less stress, and fewer regrets while confidently charting their caregiving journey. It is important to remember that each caregiving situation is unique, and flexibility is crucial. Toni provides caregivers with the knowledge, skills, resources, and support to enhance their abilities, confidence, and well-being in their caregiver roles.
Learn to Lead & Follow in the Dance of Caregiving
The dance of caregiving refers to the complex and intricate relationship between a caregiver and the person they are caring for. It encompasses the physical, emotional, and social aspects of providing care and navigating the challenges that come with it. The term “dance” is often used to describe this relationship because, like a dance, caregiving requires coordination, rhythm, and adaptability between the caregiver and the care recipient.
Caregiving can take various forms, such as looking after an aging parent, supporting a spouse with a chronic illness, or providing care for a disabled family member. It involves a wide range of responsibilities, including assisting with daily activities, managing medications, arranging medical appointments, providing emotional support, and ensuring a safe and comfortable environment.
In the dance of caregiving, both the caregiver and the care recipient must learn to move together in harmony. This presentation includes key elements of this dance:
đź’™ Communication
Effective communication is crucial in caregiving. The caregiver needs to understand the needs, preferences, and limitations of the care recipient, while the care recipient must communicate their desires and concerns. This exchange of information helps establish trust and enables the caregiver to provide personalized care.
đź’™ Empathy and Compassion
Caregiving requires empathy and compassion. The caregiver must try to understand and relate to the physical and emotional challenges faced by the care recipient. By demonstrating empathy and compassion, the caregiver can create a nurturing and supportive environment that promotes the well-being of the care recipient.
đź’™ Flexibility
The dance of caregiving often involves unexpected changes and challenges. Caregivers must be flexible and adaptable, as they may need to adjust their routines, schedules, and approaches to meet the evolving needs of the care recipient. Flexibility also includes being open to seeking assistance or taking breaks when necessary to avoid burnout.
đź’™ Self-Care
Caregiving can be demanding both physically and emotionally. It is essential for caregivers to prioritize self-care to maintain their own well-being. Engaging in activities that bring joy, seeking support from others, and taking time for rest and relaxation are crucial elements of self-care. By taking care of themselves, caregivers can continue to provide quality care.
đź’™ Seeking Support
No caregiver should feel alone in their role. Seeking support from family, friends, support groups, or professional services can provide caregivers with guidance, understanding, and respite. Connecting with others who have experienced similar challenges can help caregivers navigate the emotional aspects of caregiving and find practical solutions.
Like a dance, caregiving requires coordination, rhythm, and adaptability between the caregiver and the care recipient. The dance of caregiving is a dynamic and ever-changing process. It requires patience, resilience, and dedication. While it can be challenging at times, it can also be a deeply rewarding experience that strengthens the bond between the caregiver and the care recipient.
By embracing the dance of caregiving, both parties can work together to create an environment of love, understanding, and mutual support. As an attendee of this presentation, Toni will gently guide you through the mastery of steps so that both the caregiver and the care recipient learn to move together in harmony.
Celebrate & Create Your Meaningful Journey
Caregivers can create moments of joy, appreciation, and connection by incorporating celebrations into caregiving. Celebrating even the smallest things helps counterbalance the demanding nature of caregiving, promotes emotional well-being, and fosters a positive caregiving experience for both the caregiver and the person receiving care.
Celebrating is important because celebrations offer an opportunity for caregivers and care recipients to bond and strengthen their relationship. It creates moments of joy and shared experiences, fostering a sense of connection and belonging. Celebrating together can improve communication, build trust, and deepen the emotional connection between the caregiver and the person receiving care. In this presentation, Toni discusses the following aspects of celebrating to create a meaningful journey:
đź’™ Celebrating is Self-Care
Caregivers often neglect their own needs while focusing on the well-being of the person they care for. Celebrations provide a reminder to prioritize self-care and engage in activities that bring joy and fulfillment.
đź’™ Acknowledge Achievements
Celebrating your family member’s accomplishments, both big and small, provides a sense of achievement and acknowledges the hard work and dedication of both the caregiver and care receiver.
đź’™ Build Support Networks
Celebrations can involve family members, friends, and other caregivers. It provides an opportunity for caregivers to connect with others who understand their experiences and challenges. Sharing celebrations with a support network fosters a sense of belonging, provides emotional support, and creates a space for sharing advice and resources.
đź’™ Cultivate Gratitude
Celebrations allow caregivers to reflect on the positive aspects of their caregiving journey and express gratitude. It shifts the focus from the difficulties and challenges to the blessings and joys that caregiving can bring. Practicing gratitude has been shown to improve mental health, increase resilience, and enhance overall well-being.
Join Toni in this presentation and let her be your event planner and show you how to create beautiful moments that will become meaningful, lasting memories.
Workshops
Prepare for a Medical Crisis
Every worry needs a plan. By taking the time to prepare for a medical crisis, you can enhance safety, improve outcomes, and alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty that can accompany such situations.
In this workshop, Toni explores the benefits of preparing for a medical crisis and the steps to get started:
đź’™ Efficient Communication
In a medical crisis, clear and effective communication is crucial. Preparedness involves having important contact information readily available, including emergency services, healthcare providers, and family members. This facilitates swift communication and coordination, enabling the appropriate parties to be informed and involved in the situation.
đź’™ Decision Making
Medical crises often require quick decision-making, and being prepared allows you to make informed choices. By understanding your family member’s medical history, having relevant documents and records organized, and being aware of their preferences or advance directives, you can make decisions that align with their wishes and ensure the best possible care.
đź’™ Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Medical crises can be overwhelming and stressful, both for the person experiencing the crisis and their caregivers. Preparing in advance can help alleviate some of the stress and anxiety associated with such situations. When you have a plan in place, know what steps to take, and have necessary supplies readily available, it can provide a sense of control and confidence during a challenging time.
đź’™ Coordinate Support
Preparing for a medical crisis involves identifying and mobilizing support networks. This can include informing family members, friends, or neighbors who can assist during an emergency, as well as understanding available community resources or support services that may be helpful. Coordinating support in advance ensures that you have a network to rely on when needed.
Preparedness enables you to respond effectively and confidently, ensuring the best care for the care receiver and the caregiver. Ultimately, being prepared for a medical crisis provides peace of mind.
Toni leads participants through constructing a medical crisis plan that will provide peace of mind. Knowing that you have taken steps to anticipate and respond to potential emergencies can alleviate worries and allow you to focus on providing care or seeking appropriate help during a crisis.
Exhausted to Energized in 5 Steps
Toni helps busy caregivers go from exhausted to energized in five steps and teaches them techniques they can use daily to stay focused and energized. Time can’t be managed. Manage your energy and let time take care of itself! In this workshop, Toni helps caregivers discover ways to maximize energy and covers the following topics:
đź’™ The Four Levels of Energy
When you understand the four levels of energy, you can identify where you are spending your time and make a plan to shift from Energy Levels 1 and 2, where your energy is drained, and you are robbed of happiness, to Levels 3 and 4, where your energy increases and happiness is boosted.
đź’™ What Drains Your Energy
Discover your energy drainers. Identify when self-care, relationships, environments, and activities drain your energy.
đź’™ What Fuels Your Energy
Discover what fuels your energy as you explore physical activities such as sleep, movement, and nutrition. Consider emotional and intellectual activities, including socializing, developing friendships, intimacy, and creating a flow of new ideas. What spiritual activities can you add to your days to balance and restore energy? You might try silence, prayer, or mindfulness.
đź’™ Create Your Personal Plan for More Energy
When you have identified your energy drainers and energy givers, intentional choices will allow you to increase your energy and focus on self-care and well-being.
We all have a limited amount of time – 24 hours/day. Your life expands with more energy. Energy gives you peace, joy, happiness, and a passion for life. Let’s create your plan to increase energy and chart your path to happiness!
Build & Manage Your Care Community™
A Care Community™ refers to a network of individuals, organizations, and resources that come together to provide support, assistance, and care for individuals in need. It is a collaborative approach that recognizes the importance of community involvement in addressing the diverse needs of individuals requiring care, such as older adults, individuals with disabilities, or those with chronic illnesses.
In a Care Community™, various individuals work together to create a supportive and integrated environment. In this presentation, Toni covers the following essential aspects of creating a Care Community™:
💙 Who to Include in Your Care Community™
A Care Community™ includes family members, friends, or hired professionals who provide direct care. The person receiving care is an important contributor within the Care Community™. Also included are healthcare professionals, doctors, nurses, therapists, and other medical professionals who provide medical care and guidance. Social services such as organizations and agencies that offer social support, case management, counseling, and assistance with accessing community resources are essential. Additional members to consider are charitable organizations focused on specific health conditions, disabilities, or social issues that provide education, support, and resources. Local community groups, faith-based organizations, and volunteers contribute their time, resources, and expertise. Public agencies responsible for healthcare, social services, and policies related to care provide crucial supports and should be included.
đź’™ Care Coordination
Understand the dynamic and learn tips to facilitate communication and collaboration among the different Care Community™ contributors who are involved in the care of your family member, ensuring a cohesive and integrated approach.
đź’™ Support Services
Learn how to obtain assistance with activities of daily living, transportation, meal preparation, and respite care to provide relief for the caregiver.
đź’™ Information and Education
Locate resources, workshops, and training sessions to learn about specific conditions, caregiving techniques, and available community resources.
đź’™ Emotional and Social Support
Determine the best emotional support that fits the caregiver’s needs. Explore options such as support groups, counseling services, and social activities to address the emotional well-being and social isolation often experienced by caregivers and care recipients.
đź’™ Advocacy
Explore ways to work to improve systems, policies, and access to care by advocating for the needs of the care community and promoting positive changes at local, regional, or national levels.
The complex needs of caregiving require collaboration and the creation of a Care Community™. A Care Community™ will enhance the quality of care, support the well-being of the caregiver, and improve the overall experience of the care recipient. Toni can help the caregiver identify and leverage the strengths and resources of friends, family, healthcare professionals, and the community.
Welcome to the Caregiver CEO & Advocate Role!
You’re Hired! Now what? With no job description, no roles and responsibilities list, and no supervisor to provide training and guidance, caregivers face an uncertain future with little preparation. Toni’s workshop will fill in the blanks and empower the novice caregiver with skills and confidence. The seasoned caregiver will also find useful information to help them confidently continue their caregiving journey.
Workshop topics include:
đź’™ Training for the Caregiver Role
Take time to learn about caregiving techniques, such as administering medications, providing personal care, managing mobility aids, and handling emergency situations. Attend workshops, training programs, or seek guidance from healthcare professionals to enhance your caregiving skills.
đź’™ Managing Personal Care and Safety Management
Manage and assist the team that helps with activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and mobility support. Identify potential safety risks in the environment and implement necessary precautions to prevent accidents or injuries. This includes assisting with mobility, fall prevention, and managing any assistive devices or equipment.
đź’™ Oversee Medication Management
Ensure that medications are administered according to prescribed schedules, organize medication supplies, and monitor for any side effects or changes in your family member’s condition.
đź’™ Health Monitoring and Documentation
Observe and document any changes in your family member’s physical or mental health, including vital signs, symptoms, or behavioral patterns. Report observations to healthcare professionals as necessary. Maintain accurate records of care, including medication administration, medical appointments, changes in health status, and any incidents or concerns that arise.
đź’™ Household Management and Meal Planning
Manage household tasks, such as cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and running errands for the individual. Ensure a safe and comfortable living environment. Oversee the planning and preparation of nutritious meals that meet dietary needs, taking into account any dietary restrictions, allergies, or special requirements.
đź’™ Transportation Coordinator
Coordinate and provide transportation to medical appointments, therapy sessions, social activities, or other necessary outings.
đź’™ Emotional Support and Social Event Coordinator
Offer and coordinate companionship and emotional support for your family member. Engage in meaningful conversations using active listening skills, provide reassurance, and help to maintain a positive and stimulating environment.
đź’™ Caregiver CEO and Advocate
Coordinate care, schedule appointments, manage medical records, and communicate with healthcare professionals, therapists, or other members of the care team to ensure continuity of care. Act as an advocate for your family member, ensuring their rights and needs are respected. Communicate with healthcare providers, insurance companies, and other relevant parties to ensure the individual receives appropriate care and services.
đź’™ Family Communication
Keep family members informed about your care recipient’s well-being, treatment plans, and any significant developments. Facilitate family meetings or discussions to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding the individual’s care.
The role of a family caregiver can be physically and emotionally demanding. It requires flexibility, patience, and compassion. Additionally, the specific tasks and responsibilities may evolve over time as the individual’s needs change. Toni’s guidance will empower the caregiver to navigate the changes and fulfill their caregiver CEO & Advocate role and responsibilities with confidence.
What My Audience Members Say
“I facilitate an Alzheimer support group. Most of my attendees came to your presentation at Oakmonte Village assisted living. I can tell you that the topics you discussed are brought up frequently in our monthly support group and I know your presentation was very helpful to all. Thank you very much for the great and compassionate presentation. Your caring and desire to help others was very clear and we appreciate you for that authenticity.”
BEV ROBINSON, CERTIFIED DEMENTIA PRACTITIONER
“I loved your presentation and learned so much. You are well organized and I loved and could relate to your personal stories. I was comfortable and engaged the whole time. You are such a relaxed speaker and I love the way you connect with the audience.”
MICKI DUMITRESCU, CAREGIVER
“You are a very special person. Loved your talk…heart felt. Thank you!”
AMANDA B. – ORLANDOSENIORHEALTH.ORG
“Excellent presentation overall. Very informative and it provided me with valuable tips that will be very useful in the future, if needed. Knowledge is power!”
BOB L.
“Being reminded to recognize and appreciate joyful moments. Self comes first-very important for me to remember.”
CATHY R.