“Hi Jo Lyn,
“I hope this note finds you well.  The first thing I want to do is Thank You from the bottom of my heart for your collective prayers for my Dad. He’s 83 and went into the hospital in Miami Beach a few weeks ago after a bad fall, most likely preceded by a heart attack. I flew from my vacation in Argentina straight to Miami and stayed by his side for a week. We played cards, nibbled on hospital food and ate fresh dates and bananas all day on Thanksgiving. It was actually very sweet. He’s in a rehab center now gaining strength to walk again.”

“I learned a lot sitting with my Dad. He’s a very strong, independent man and believes in a very natural approach to health, including eating only live food from “God’s green earth” and steering clear of doctors, medicine and anything artificial.As I watched him reject all testing and treatments in the hospital, it was frustrating. I wanted him to say yes and choose life. In hindsight I can see that he was choosing life. You see, at the end of my week there I noticed that most of the people that said yes to the meds and the surgeries were lying there with tubes in their mouths. My Dad got worse at first but, by the end of the week, he was bright-eyed and back to his normal practice of flirting with all the nurses.”

“I’m not knocking modern medicine, but it had me think about all of the places in life where we say “yes” automatically and don’t connect with our inner knowing like my Dad did. He had to go against an army of doctors and family members and do what he knew was right for him. It inspired me to want to drop even deeper into my own knowing in all areas of my life.  After all, isn’t this what we constantly have to do as entrepreneurs? We have to find the path, the process, the mentor, the mindset that’s right for us and move with it. Most of the time without much agreement from the peanut gallery (our well-meaning, employed friends and family.)”

“So this note is to remind you to trust yourself. If you tune in to your inner guidance, you know what’s right for you.
Honor that knowing. Honor yourself.”
Blessings,    Lisa”

Living a life in the service of others, striving to support and serve the people you care for, can be a tiring endeavor, and lead to care giver burnout.  Trying to help other people be healthy and happy is a noble cause, but it’s also critical to fill your own needs for health and happiness too!

As you take care of other people, remember it’s just as important to learn how to take care of yourself too! If you don’t, you’ll just burn yourself out, and you’ll be in no condition to help anybody else.

Make sure to take a needed break from time to time to re-fill the “oil in your lamp” so your light can continue to shine gently and brightly in service to others.

Here’s some idea starters for what you can do to rejuvenate your own energies and bring more peace and joy back into your days:

• · Seek connection with those who inspire you be your best self.
• · Harness the power of deep breathing – it calms the mind and settles the strength of your spirit into your body.
• · Invite delightful things into your world that make you laugh!
• · Learn from the past. Accept the present. Take inspired action in this moment to create a brighter future.

May you be richly blessed this day,
Jo Lyn

My parents, at ages 93 and 89, are obviously not able to do all they could when they were younger.  Dad has health care needs that require 24 hour care and supervision, and Mom is mentally sharp, but physically frail.  Managing their health care includes making decisions about where they live, who provides their care, and controlling health care costs.  My Dad recently had a stroke, and my family looks to me for elder care management… thankfully, I have the skills and know how to get it done well.  But the rest of my family is at a loss when it comes to navigating the health care system and knowing how to proceed.  This video is the first in my series for you, as you advocate for your own loved one.  To access the rest, and get my report on Medicare Coverage and Medicaid Planning, create your own f.r.e.e. membership account, sign in, and look for the links on your F.r.e.e. Content Index page.

Here’s my first video - please let me know how it helps you by adding a comment on the page below…. oh, and please forgive my funny faces.  I’m working hard to learn how to do these videos and make them look great… but You Tube and Windows Live Movie Maker seem to like to trick me!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQfnMuNF4T4

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw20QU5QtfU

Care Home America is an online community for caregivers – whether you are caring for you own elderly or disabled family member, whether you advocate for people with disabilities, or whether you serve in a professional health care capacity, Care Home America is designed to be your trusted source for training, connection, support and resources. 

You know we live in a world of change.  Headlines can be depressing.  The economy is volatile.  Banks are struggling, business are closing.  The job market is tough, and foreclosures are everywhere.  So many people lack health insurance.  We have an aging baby boomer generation and wave of veterans with disabilities. All these things are stretching our health care system to the max.  Chaos has become the norm.  There is a world of hurt behind closed doors.

But the way I see it, is that Chaos is a symptom – and symptoms are a wake up call, telling us that it is time to get to the heart of what matters most.

Yes, the world is changing, but not all the headlines are bad.  Technology is advancing. The medical community is more accepting of alternative care.  There is a global shift in the way we live, work and play.

Traditionally, caregivers have been isolated, undervalued, and overstressed.  Burnout and overwhelm are common.

But you don’t have to stay stuck in that old paradigm.  You can take advantage of the changes in the world.  At Care Home America, I’ll show you how it’s possible to take really good care of yourself as you care for others, and be supported in the process.

Because you are the secret sauce in the recipe for quality of life for each soul that you care for.  You are at the heart of what matters most.

I’m Jo Lyn Cornelsen.   Welcome to Care Home America!

Perhaps you help your elderly parents or a disabled family member, neighbors or friend.  Or maybe you are a health care professional.  Whether you provide hands-on, direct care or indirect care (act as an advocate) – you’re still a caregiver.  I am a Registered Nurse, and I am a caregiver.  And one thing I’ve learned about caregiving is that there is far more NEED for care and advocacy than any ONE  person can fill.

Caregiving works best as a team effort… with others who help and support you, and you also help and support them.

Who is on your caregiving team?  Any one who provides help or services for the disabled or elderly person you serve.  Family members, nurses, doctors, therapists, pharmacists, nursing assistants, case managers, guardians, financial advocates… you name it, if they help, they are on the team!  Care Home America is designed especially for you and your caregiving team.  No team of your own yet?  No worries! Once you join Care Home America you’ll be invited into our Private Social Forum, where you’ll find like-minded caregiver friends to connect and share with!

Caregiving does not have to be dull, mundane, exhausting or frustrating. It’s a matter of choices, perspective and support.  Life is meant to be FUN, regardless of our circumstances. We’re looking forward to meeting you, to sharing with you, and helping you.

Click here, JOIN US,  and see what’s on the inside!  You’ll be glad you did!  Because You Care ~ We Care for You!

Blessings ~ Jo Lyn Cornelsen, RN