Suddenly Caregiving

  Mahlon is fishing on the lake on Father's Day, and the worm's ain't biting yet.  Please enjoy this hour long roundtable discussion on: Caregiving and TBI: What You Need to Know Presented by:     brain line.org and YouTube

On Caregiving Suddenly With the news that Our Veterans may not be getting the care they deserve from the VA for their service to our country what can we do to be better care givers? How can we best help these deserving men and women? What are the ramifications of this? Join the discussion and our guests this Sunday at 8:00 P.M. Eastern. 

Caregiving Suddenly; the phone rings. " Do you expect enough??" will explore with our guest  Joy Turner the idea from the moment you hear of an injury "Am I doing enough???" "Are staff doing enough?" "How far can I push to help my loved one or friend?"  Joy who as a Physical Therapist involved with helping people with Traumatic Brain Injuries, has been on both sides as Care Giving, professionally and as Caregiver to family. Her experience can help you with your involvement in  your loved ones care. The insight she brings can help you with interacting with doctors and staff in the most effective way possible. Joy also has a very strong spiritual side and her insight into an individuals health issues are uncanny!!!! Hope to see you on the call in lines with your questions and your comments."  

Mr. Whitaker has had a tremendously busy week, and will not be available tonight.  Does that put the 'Downtown Milton Productions' in a pinch?  Please, me?   Tonight, TMDSSS (The Matt Duffin Show Side Show) will display Caregiving, the Milton-way.  Woodrow Duffin, Sr., is my treamendously strong father, who at 87-years old took my brain injury recovery into our own 'family' way.  I'm Matt Duffin, his now-54 year old son, who has had top notch TBI Recovery under my Pop's direction.  As the days and months have gone on, Woody, a true and decorated American Hero from WWII turned 92 (but still dances every Saturday night!), as I grew stronger.  Are we well enough to take care of ourself?  Would you be with a TBI, or elderly?  But just a little bit of occasional supervision as the day goes on, and we watch ballgames quietly from our humble abode.  Go to the kitchen, take walks, right here on our property.  Independent living, as somewhat Co-Caregivers.  We like it.  Struggle some, and amaze some too. That's where Sandy comes into play.  And Dallas, and Katie, and a swarm of assistance for the past 5 years, like sisters in our home.  They make sure we have showered daily (forgetful, ya know), taken my pills (oh, boy), clean (wow) the house and dress our beds, and so, so much more.  Advantage Home Care does our total care, besides us.  Mercadi Duffin and Kim Boulware, youngest daughter and ex-wife, do the 'dirty work' making sure things are proper, and the trips to docs are covered.  Store trip and occasional dine out.  THAT is a chore in itself.  Joni Goins, my dedicated SLP, thank you for the early days of learning how to schedule my days!!! Let the Duffin family share their Caregiving experience, learned on-the-fly.  The Good, The Bad, The Outstanding Caregiven.    

Tonight's episode continues our exploration of the book Supporting Survivors and caregivers after Brain Injury.  There are two successive phases: exploration and evolution. The exploration phase focuses on the person with the brain injury and his or her life. The model breaks this down into two components, each with corresponding questions. Tonight we explore the person behind the brain injury to gain insight into who the person is, what their abilities are, what they want to achieve, and what their vision of life is. This insight will also provide information about what can be realistically expected from the person and the best way to interact. In order to get the specific information we need, will work on eliciting information from the following components: Personal ProfileKey Life Events: general personal history and brain injury historyDiagnosisAbilities and limitationsPre-injury personal developmentLifestyleCoping Strategy

Dealing with the inevitable reality that Healing is not on your schedule all the time. How to deal with your feelings and those you care about and continue to move ahead. Please feel free to call in and to listen.

YOUR ARE WHAT YOU EATwill be Mahlon's topic for the evening. Callers are welcome, to share what has worked in their journey, as well as what has not. He will share his own personal experience, and would like very much to compare notes with callers.Please call and join the discussion! How our food choices can help or hinder the caregiver, as well as the survivor. Hosted by Mahlon Whitaker

The show theme will be "HOW DO YOU DO IT?" A  question often asked of me by those who know the situation. Taking care of the care giver. Stress relief and approaches to keeping you functioning and well.  

Caring for the Caregiver, will be Mahlon's topic for the evening. Callers are welcome, to share what has worked in their journey, as well as what has not. He will share his own personal experience, and would like very much to compare notes with callers.Please call and join the discussion!

Tonight: When the Phone Rings When you are suddenly thrown into the TBI world. Something happens and your world is changed along with the people you love. From partner to caregiver. My experience shared with you to give you strength and hope. Yes there is a tomorrow.