Guests: Ann Albert, Executive Director of Supporting Active Independent Lives (SAIL) and SAIL S.O.S. Personal Emergency Response Service Sue Gaard, RN, Founder of Confident Conversations
Navigating the healthcare system is a challenge for the best of us. With about 43 million caregivers in the United States - most unpaid family members or friends and two-thirds of them women - determining who is in charge, how to get answers, what questions to ask, and how to speak up in an effective way have been determined to be areas of greatest difficulty. Thanks to funding from A Fund For Women, SAIL, in collaboration with Confident Conversations and colleagues from Oakwood Village, State Medical Society, Dane County Caregiver Alliance, and community social workers is offering Confident Caregiving Workshops designed for women caregivers to help them navigate the healthcare system more effectively and plan for the future - financially and legally.
In addition to "Talking Turkey with the Doctor," workshop topics include "Straight Dope on Medications," and "Legal Lessons and Money Matters." On this program, Ann Albert and Sue Gaard, RN discuss the keys to building successful relationships with the medical team, outline strategies for better communication, and give tips to coordinating the care of an individual. All of this - and how to take care of yourself in the process!
For more information on upcoming Workshops, contact SAIL at info@sailtoday.org or call 608-230-4321.
Guest: Eileen Mershart, Executive Director (Retired), YWCA of Madison
Eileen Mershart retired this week after 13 years as Executive Director of the YWCA Madison. On her busy "to-do" list during her final weeks leading the effort to Eliminate Racism and Empower Women, Eileen included a visit to the All About Living studio to reflect on those YWCA programs that she initiated and are near and dear to her heart. The YWCA commitments to women begin with safe and affordable housing and emergency shelter but then have expanded to racial and restorative justice, education and training for women and people of color, and enrichment programs for girls to grow healthy, strong and confident lives. While these endeavors sound ambitious, progress is being made. Eileen Mershart shares the specifics on this All About Living program.
For more information, go to ywcamadison.org or call (608) 257-1436.
Guest: Dorothy Carskadon, Team Leader, Madison Vet Center - Captain, Army Reserves
Army Captain Dorothy Carskadon arrived at Fort Hood, Texas on November 4, 2009. This was her last stop on her way to Afghanistan. She had just completed a month's combat training in California, and on Saturday, November 5, 2009 was sitting in a crowded processing center at Fort Hood to begin her check out review to make sure she was physically, mentally, and spiritually ready to be deployed. Suddenly there was a voice shouting in Arabic, and a loud command for everyone to get down. Within the next harrowing few minutes, 13 people were killed and 32 others wounded. Dorrie was among the wounded. "When I woke up after a 15-hour surgery, the first people I remember seeing were George and Laura Bush standing next to my bed," recalls Dorrie. That was only the beginning of her recovery.
Before her deployment in 2009, Dorothy Carskadon was the Team Leader at the Madison Vet Center, 706 Williamson St. After her hospitalization, she returned to this position and granted this exclusive interview on All About Living to honor those that died and were injured at this worst shooting ever to take place on an American military base. She shares the story of the tragedy at Fort Hood in this program.
For more information on the many resources available to veterans, go to www.vetcenter.va.gov or call 1-877-WAR-VETS
Guests: Shannon Barry, Executive Director, DAIS - Domestic Abuse Intervention Services Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney
The statistics get our attention. Here are just some: 1 in 4 women will be a victim of domestic violence at some point in her lifetime; women make up over 84% of victims of abuse between spouses, and 86% of victims of violence between boyfriends and girlfriends; children exposed to domestic violence suffer low self esteem, depression, sleep difficulties, PTSD, and are at higher risk for problems in school, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual acting out, running away, fear and suicide. And incidences of domestic violence keep our law enforcement officials busy. Approximately 1/3 of all arrests in Dane County are domestic violence-related.
Shannon Barry and Sheriff Dave Mahoney are forthright in their description of what domestic abuse looks like in our community, the growing willingness for victims to come forward, and the support victims receive from the services of DAIS and law enforcement officials. On this program, they highlight the sometimes subtle danger sign of domestic abuse and give specific tips and tools that they use to prevent and confront domestic abuse.
Help and support are available: Go to abuseintervention.org or call DAIS at 608-251-4445 or 1-800-747-4045. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
If you are concerned about the safety of your pet, contact the Dane County Humane Society, giveshelter.org, or call 608-838-0413.
