Embracing the Caregiver's Journey with Judy Hewitt's Expert Wisdom
Dec 18, 2023
Various
Caregiving is no easy journey, but with the right tools and understanding, it can become a path of profound personal growth. Embrace the wisdom of Judy Hewitt, entrepreneur and author, as we navigate the complexities of caregiver wellness. Judy brings her expertise from Caregivers LLC to the table, illuminating the often invisible struggles such as burnout and isolation that caregivers silently endure. Through our heartfelt conversation, we highlight the transformative power of self-care and customized respite, discussing the benefits of mental health support, insurance assistance, and the crucial role of mindset in fostering resilience. Moreover, Judy sheds light on the holistic approach needed for caregivers to replenish their spirits and prevent compassion fatigue.
In a narrative that intertwines assistance with personal tales of growth, this podcast honors the unsung heroes tending to loved ones. We celebrate the impact of the Pan Foundation in providing financial aid to those burdened by medical expenses and ponder the cathartic journey of writing that allows caregivers to share their experiences and find solace. As I reveal my own writing voyage and the upcoming project that promises to inspire rejuvenation, we underscore the importance of caregivers in the tapestry of our lives, echoing Rosalyn Carter's poignant recognition of the inevitable role caregiving plays. The episode culminates with an affirmation of the caregiver's importance and a commitment to continue shedding light on the vital topics that support their journey. Join us in paying tribute to the dedication and strength of caregivers, a testament to the enduring spirit of humanity.
Caregiving is no easy journey, but with the right tools and understanding, it can become a path of profound personal growth. Embrace the wisdom of Judy Hewitt, entrepreneur and author, as we navigate the complexities of caregiver wellness. Judy brings her expertise from Caregivers LLC to the table, illuminating the often invisible struggles such as burnout and isolation that caregivers silently endure. Through our heartfelt conversation, we highlight the transformative power of self-care and customized respite, discussing the benefits of mental health support, insurance assistance, and the crucial role of mindset in fostering resilience. Moreover, Judy sheds light on the holistic approach needed for caregivers to replenish their spirits and prevent compassion fatigue.
In a narrative that intertwines assistance with personal tales of growth, this podcast honors the unsung heroes tending to loved ones. We celebrate the impact of the Pan Foundation in providing financial aid to those burdened by medical expenses and ponder the cathartic journey of writing that allows caregivers to share their experiences and find solace. As I reveal my own writing voyage and the upcoming project that promises to inspire rejuvenation, we underscore the importance of caregivers in the tapestry of our lives, echoing Rosalyn Carter's poignant recognition of the inevitable role caregiving plays. The episode culminates with an affirmation of the caregiver's importance and a commitment to continue shedding light on the vital topics that support their journey. Join us in paying tribute to the dedication and strength of caregivers, a testament to the enduring spirit of humanity.
Speaker 1:
Good evening everyone. This is Carolyn Coleman and welcome to Gentry's journey. Our honored guest today is Judy Hewitt. She is an entrepreneur and an author, so she's going to tell us about her best two works, and so we're glad to have her today, and I'm going to let Judy introduce herself and then we'll go with some questions, and so the top of the interview will be regarding her LLC, and then the bottom of the interview will be regarding her steps into being an author. So hello, judy, how are you?
Speaker 2:
Hi, carolyn, I am well, how are you, and thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1:
All right, judy, tell us about your caregiving caregivers LLC. And we know this is National Caregivers' MOP, so we take our hat off to all the caregivers. And we also know this is the MOP that we honor our veterans, so we're thankful for that. So we call that before the end of the MOP as well. So we want to thank you for your service as a caregiver and we want to thank the veterans for their service to our country.
Speaker 2:
Absolutely Well as a 10, more or less a three decade healthcare administrator. It wasn't until I took care of my mom who was ill with cirrhosis of the liver that I realized that caregivers really it's a burdensome job. You can have caregiver burnout out as they take care of their family members so they themselves can be restored and renewed to be the best that they can be as they can take care of their family members. So self care for caregivers was birth out of me writing my book about being a caregiver and what we do is we provide resources. We have workshops where we have a mental health At a mental health therapist come in. We do have a license insurance representatives. We do have a mindset coach and respite care where we provide the caregivers time so they can reset and go back to care given, whereas it's a holistic approach to them taking care of themselves so they can better take care of their patients and or their loved ones.
Speaker 1:
And Judy, that's really good to know that we have someone who's looking out for the caregivers, because we know they can suffer burn out as well as loneliness, because I'm sure there's a lonely world out there. Being a caregiver, because you appear to be doing a good job as a caregiver, I don't think you have it all together, but sometimes you need help as well, and I often caution my patients, family members, make sure you have additional help because you're going to need it. I'll do it, I can do it. I can do it. You know, I see how you nurses do it. Yes, but the nurses have relief and I do, I hope, have relief as well. So what do you think on those terms, judy?
Speaker 2:
So, yes, we do let our caregivers know that they can rest. Sometimes it is essential. It's better for their mental health. It increased their concentration and memory. Make sure they have a good sleep routine so then they themselves can show up for their loved ones and audio patients. We suggest journaling techniques. You know, sometimes you can have a worry journal where, right before you go to bed, you write 30 minutes down of the things that are perplexing you, the things that you worry about or troublesome, help reduce stress and anxiety. And then we also suggest gratitude journals. Sometimes just being grateful, just for another day, for the sunlight, and just journaling those things can help you with your frame of mind and, of course, daily aspirations. Definitely, caregivers get to burn out, but we recommend to take that respite care as needed. Some may want to do it once a week or it may be every other day, but we recommend that the respite care and the time to take a break is based on each individual as needed.
Speaker 1:
I agree with you. I'm glad you brought that up. I often thought well, I thought respite was twice a year, Week at a time, basically every six months. So you are telling us it can be on an as needed basis and not basically once every six months. That is a long stretch of time, especially if you're caring for someone every day. So that's great information to know.
Speaker 2:
Absolutely, absolutely is as needed, because everyone is different as well as the type of care is also different. Carolyn, as you know, working in a hospital setting the nurses that are in the ER has a different set of burnout than the nurses maybe on the floor that are doing, maybe take care of patients after surgery. So that's why it's recommended that each person evaluate their level of burnout so then they can know when it is especially post pandemic.
Speaker 1:
Now, judy, when you say recognize your level of burnout, is there a tool you use to assist with that, or is it just someone coming in and say I need some help, I need a break? And how do people approach you when they say they feel as though it's time for them to have some respite care?
Speaker 2:
That is such a good question, carolyn. You can realize that you're at the point of having caregiver burnout when you are emotionally and or physically exhausted. Another sign is if you're withdrawn from your family, friends or loved ones. Sometimes you may lose interest in the activities that you previously enjoyed. It may get to a point where you're feeling hopeless or helpless. You may have a change in appetite or weight gain and then there may also be changes in your sleep patterns and you're unable to concentrate. So those are some ways or some signs that someone may be experiencing care give or burn out. We suggest that people don't get to the point of depression or negative emotions or any type of sleep, the pride or neglecting of themselves, but some need to recognize what level they are and what the signs are for each person, so then they can implement that rest, restore, renew and those tips so they can be a better caregiver to their loved one or patient, as well as themselves.
Speaker 1:
Okay, thank you for that. Now tell us a little bit about your company and some of the things you do in the community as well.
Speaker 2:
So, yes, what we do at Self-Care for Caregivers is we provide workshops and retreats for professional and family caregivers on a quarterly basis, and our workshops we provide them education and resources, we have respite care and we would have more or less experts coming in on speaking on stress management, mindset and so forth. Now, as a career, I work for the Pan Foundation as a case manager and I really love talking about the Pan Foundation because what we do is patients pay for their medications. Now, we know the cost of medications are really up there. So patients that may have asthma medications or they may be having some sort of cancer therapies and things of that nature, the Medicare and their insurance pays. They're still a copay or out-of-pocket expense. That is, we provide grants to assist patients with that out-of-pocket expense. Therefore, they are not coming out of their pockets for that extra cost.
Speaker 2:
One can look up their information is panfoundationorg and you can go ahead and search your drug statute to see if that is a program that we can cover and assist you with Once you are enrolled in medication. We also have a program where we provide you with transportation and, specifically, a doctor to pick up their prescription. So I really love talking about that because as a career, normally you don't find a career that you talk about outside of work. But I think that it's a good cause. It lines with my values and we usually provide those resources as well to our patients, because there are other programs and lots of programs out there to assist with copays on medications.
Speaker 1:
Now, judy Wayne, you mentioned the transportation. Is there a payment for that or a pan-pays for that? How many basic trips do they get per year for that? Is there a limit on that as well?
Speaker 2:
So that program involves giving an approved member a $500 dollar toll for within the year, within the year of proof, within the year. So it's five hundred dollars a year that they are allowed it to use for either gas tolls, parking things of that nature. If you need, maybe, to rent a car to get to a doctor's office, or some people may have to travel to a doctor's office by ear, you know, by ear the five hundred dollars can utilize for transportation to and from doctor's office visits and they're picking up your prescription. So that's how their program is set up.
Speaker 1:
Okay, well, that parking is expensive and can be expensive, so I didn't think about that option as well, and anytime you go to basically a health care facility, there is a fee for parking, and that can be really expensive. I think some of the doctor's office will give you a percentage off if you bring in your ticket, but that can be enormous just at the end of the day. And imagine someone having to go in two or three times a week. You know, yes, as much help as they can get is what they need. But yeah, you're making me think here on some of these things, so I appreciate that. Now, what are some things you're proud of about your LLC? Do you have conferences, seminars? What do you usually do to bring attention to your LLC?
Speaker 2:
So the LLC component of our business is where we basically do our books and we do our speaking engagements. That's fairly new. What we currently work on is the self-care for caregivers international, which is where we are working on the workshops for our caregivers, but with the LLC that houses all of the written materials and books that I have been a part of, as well as speaking engagements and things like that. And I am really proud of getting to that point because when I first wrote my book I didn't think that it would have provided all the different entities like being on speaking platforms and doing magazine layouts and things like that. So the LLC that houses that portion of what we do.
Speaker 1:
Okay, well great. Do you want to talk about your past works, your anthologies that you have participated in?
Speaker 2:
Oh sure I would love to. So I was first introduced to anthologies by working with my dear visionary author friend, pastor P, pastor Paulette Hopper, and my first work I did was called for such a time as this, and that's where I was able to capture and working through forgiveness. So it really was my beginning. I did not know speaking about that project would lead to so many of the projects my second anthology I'm more so proud of that because I felt that I grew a little more and that was the breaking point and I felt that my writing in that one I felt that I was really getting things out there on paper and I felt more seasoned and more polished and so I really loved the work that I did.
Speaker 2:
Well, I love all my work, but that one I really am very proud of as well, and currently I'm working on a devotional, joy 365, with another group of phenomenal co authors. It's going to be literally a global outreach and I was really glad to be in the part of doing a devotional and really speaking about the stages and the times and the seasons of life that God carries us through, the steps to where, you know, we get to our purpose and our vision and our things of that nature. So I really love writing. I really do is something that I didn't think, though, would have gotten to the point of being doing speaking engagements and like being on your platform and magazines and things of that nature, but I really love the whole literary world.
Speaker 1:
That is great, are you? I know you said you're doing the 360 to Joy 360. Are you doing something on your own at this point in time, or are you gathering some ideas to for your next, for your next, for your next book? I mean, come on, you know authors, right. Do you have a certain genre that you enjoy more than others? I mean, that's what we do. Yeah, you know your mind is always twisted. I did so.
Speaker 2:
The genre I like is nonfiction Okay, sure, sure, I'm sorry. No, no, no, no. Nonfiction Go ahead.
Speaker 1:
No, I was saying we authors, when you get started, you don't know how to stop. So I was wondering what is your next adventure, what is your next project? Just just you know, give us a little tidbit. You don't have to give us everything, but give us a little tidbit.
Speaker 2:
Okay, so I'm working on a journal and my journal is going to be rest, restore, renew. It's basically going to be for caregivers, where they take time to rest, restore and renew. I've incorporated my story that I wrote about and for such a time as this into the journal to make it more personable, and so that is the only thing that I'm working on, but, as you know, as writers you never know what God may throw your way. My main concern right now is focusing on the workshop for next year, for 2024, for the self care for caregivers.
Speaker 1:
Okay, and you and I. You invited me to collaborate with you on an article, so tell us about that.
Speaker 2:
Could you repeat that for me?
Speaker 1:
You invited me to collaborate with you on an article that will be coming out soon. Tell us a little bit about how that came about.
Speaker 2:
Okay, yes, yes, thanks for repeating the question. One of the co-authors that matter of fact, we worked with, leisha Sadler, has a magazine, hardcore Grime, and I started out writing short stories for her. So in her very first magazine layout I did a short story on the purpose. You know purpose and more or less purpose, and how you just kind of focus in life and be purposeful. And so in her December issue I thank you for saying yes the article that we are going to be putting into that short story is tips for caregivers around Christmas time, and it will be more or less a point of view from yourself as a professional caregiver, as well as myself being a family caregiver. So it's don't ask me about the title, we're not going to give away that, but the soon as the magazine is out in December.
Speaker 2:
I will definitely let you know so you can let your own. So yeah, but I'm so proud of Leisha. The magazine is doing really well. It's where entertainment meets readers digest.
Speaker 1:
Okay, okay, that's catchy. I like that Readers digest and entertainment and that that makes sense. That makes sense Because she incorporates so much into that. Yeah, so that's good. You know, like I say, people in the little rarity world, they're always thinking, they're always coming up with something, so so that's great as well. Very intelligent, professional young lady. I like the way she comes across. That is. That is great.
Speaker 2:
Absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 1:
Okay, judy. Do you have anything else you would like to speak to us about?
Speaker 2:
Well, I'd like, if anybody's out there and if they're interested in learning more information about our workshops. You can reach us at self care, the number four caregivers I n t l dot com. That's our website. Or, if you want to send an email, is at info At self care, the number four caregivers, I n t l dot com, and we would have all the information posted the first of the year about our workshop coming out in 2024, our data is to be determined. You can also find my literary works on the website as well.
Speaker 1:
Well, judy, thank you for your time. I do appreciate it. I appreciate the fact and I want to thank you for sharing your gifts because they are truly needed. People are living longer, so we need caregivers and we need to keep the caregiver as healthy as possible so that we can care for our loved ones or the loved ones of other people, because sometimes you have family, sometimes you have to hire sitters, but we're all caregivers, so we need each other. We definitely need each other.
Speaker 2:
Absolutely, absolutely. As our caregiver, rosalyn Carter may she rest in peace says you're either a caregiver or you're about to be one, or you will be taking care of some time in your life. So, as you say, we all need each other at one point or another. You will be a caregiver in your lifetime. So, yes, and I thank you for allowing me to be on your platform, carolyn, thank you so much, thank you and I do remember her saying that at some point in time and that makes a lot of sense.
Speaker 1:
You know, that is it. That really is it. You know whether you're just checking on a loved one who may be having issues with memory, or whether you're taking care of someone who has some physical conditions. They're not necessarily bedridden, but you want to be there to take them to their appointment so that you can listen and reinterpret that information so that they will understand a little bit more. I really highly encourage that when you have, when you're going to be a caregiver or assist a caregiver, because it can be a lot of information to digest.
Speaker 2:
Absolutely.
Speaker 1:
Well, judy, you have a wonderful evening, you have a wonderful holiday and keep me in the loop as to when that article comes out. Now, okay, thank you so much.