Hope for the Caregiver

From "...a musical gig" to a cause! Anthony Cirillo Shares His Passion for Caregivers

Playing bass, guitar, and singing took him into the world of caregivers.  Now, Anthony Cirillo has a cause and a huge impact on the healthcare systems in our country. 

 

Anthony Cirillo is Global Practice Partner of GIS Healthcare, a provider of caregiver and related solutions to corporations and health providers. He is also the creator of the Caregiver Smile Summit. A health and aging expert, professional speaker and media influencer, Cirillo is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives with a Masters from the University of Pennsylvania. His consulting and speaking expertise serves a worldwide clientele including Cleveland Clinic, King Faisal Hospital, Atrium Health and Wall Street startups. He is a member of the Nationwide Financial/NCOA Health and Wellness Roundtable and a member of the Bank of America Elder Care Policy Roundtable. Contact him at anthonycirillojr@gmail.com.

Hope for the Caregiver with Peter Rosenberger is the family caregiver outreach of: 

 

 

I Can Only Hold You Now

Sitting at the piano, I played a simple seven note melody. Stewing around with it for a while, I knew I wanted to write a song to describe the heart of a caregiver.  Playing with it bit more, I kept coming back to that simple melody.  After a while, I reached out to a friend and veteran songwriter, Buddy Mondlock, and we wrote this song together. 

There's a lyric in this that sums it for so many of us caregivers:

"I know there will be sorrow. We'll face that somehow.  But my hands can't hold tomorrow ...I can only hold you now." 

Gracie asked to sing it, but she also expressed a great deal of nervousness about performing it in the studio. Asking her why, she replied with tears in her eyes, "This is an important song to you, and I wanted to get it right." 

She did.  

We hope you enjoy this bonus content from our podcast. 

You can listen to this song on all streaming platforms or get it on Amazon or Itunes. 

If you like this podcast ...consider becoming a patron.  For as little as $1 per month, you can help us strengthen family caregivers. If you want to give more, there are all sorts of special perks for doing so.  Click here for more! 

Caller Says "God is Her Doctor."

One of the 7 Caregiver Landmines is Ignoring Personal Health Needs, and more than 70% of caregivers fail to see their own physicians. 

While most caregivers offer excuses such as money or time, this caller stated she didn't need to because, "God is her doctor."

Take a listen to how the conversation went ...and how the caller swerved into yet another landmine. Here are the 7 Landmines ...guess which ones she admittedly hit in this short call.

1. Ignoring Personal Health Needs
2. Isolation
3. Excessive Weight Gain
4. Loss of Identity
5. Guilt
6. Fear
7. It's All Up To Me

THE Solution to Caregivers' Legal Needs

Living Wills, Power of Attorney, Wills, Traffic Tickets, Business Disputes, Filing for Disability ...the list is endless for things that require the skills of an attorney. 

As a caregiver, can you afford to pay for those services? 

Can you afford to deal with them alone?

On this clip from the show, I discuss an affordable solution that I've been using for nearly eight years. Just recently, this solution REALLY came to my rescue. 

For less than the price of a combo meal each week ...you, as a caregiver, can have access to a full legal team to help handle the crazy and overwhelming things slamming into you on a regular basis. 

I tested it on myself first ...and guess what?  It's one of the best decisions I've ever made. 

Go to CaregiverLegal.com for more! 

Isn't it about time someone was advocating for YOU?   Click on the link ...and sign up today!

A Conversation With Singer/Songwriter (and caregiver) Gary Chapman

One of my all time favorite songwriters is Gary Chapman.  Whenever I hear his songs, I have to stop and listen ...and they continue to stir my heart.  Especially TREASURE. 

Gary is also a caregiver...on several levels. 

As Gary reflects in this interview, the journey he had with his father through Parkinson's and other issues helped prepare him for his little girl's recent brain surgery to remove a tumor.

Gary writes the way he does ...because he's willing to be vulnerable about his fears, failures, and faith. It's always a privilege when he calls the show, and he leaves me better than he found me. I made him promise to call again in the Spring for a longer conversation!

https://www.facebook.com/ahymnaweek/

https://www.facebook.com/garychapmanmusic/

 

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"If You've Got Your Hair and Your Teeth ...You're Alright!"

Back in the 1970's, a friend of mine in the music business worked with legendary artist, James Brown. Years later, my friend encountered the soul singer again and remarked, "You haven't changed in 25 years!

With a huge smile, James Brown responded, "If You've Got Your Hair and Your Teeth ...You're Alright!"

While our hair supply (or lack thereof) may be genetic, we can, however, address the needs of our teeth.  Recently visiting my dentist, I had an interesting conversation with the hygienist. 

Well, actually she talked ...I sounded a lot like, "Mmmdfh, Dpohhs, OPPPD!" 

As caregivers, we should never underestimate the importance of visiting the dentist for regular cleaning. That one act can help us in a myriad of ways, and as caregivers ...I think it's safe to say that we need all the help we can get! 

Enjoy John (the count of Mighty Disco) and me discussing this often overlook but critically important issue for family caregivers. 

 

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"This is all my hope and peace..." (Bonus Material for Podcast Followers)

When producing my CD, Songs for the Caregiver,   I knew this song, What Can Wash Away My Sin,  needed to be included.

Gracie recorded this in our kitchen. Our longtime friend from college (and Grammy winning music engineer) Chris Latham came to the house and set up microphones at our piano and ran a line into the kitchen where Gracie sat in her wheelchair.  We were all a bit nervous for her, because of the numerous times she's been intubated following a series of surgeries.

During those surgeries, she nearly died several times and we feared the worst ...and no one thought she'd sing again. 

She recorded this LIVE to track.  That means, no do-overs, no punches, no inserts.

Without her prosthetic legs on, she sat in her wheelchair with our dog, Mack beside her, and sang this from the heart. 

It was all I could do ...to keep playing while at the piano.  Chris and I looked at each other afterwards, and with tears coming down his face, he said, "Those who can ...do." 

Gracie's talent, and more importantly ...her conviction, equipped her to soar above her challenges and sing this song in such a powerful way. 

I included this performance on the CD, SONGS FOR THE CAREGIVER (Which you can stream or download at all music sites) ...because I felt the message of this hymn would resonate deeply with fellow caregivers. 

When the craziness, trauma, and grief floods over us, we steady ourselves by anchoring our hearts and minds into the reality of what Christ's sacrifice means ...and has accomplished for us.  

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
	Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know,   Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my righteousness—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

 

 

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