Dannelle LeBlanc, Certified SENIOR ADVISOR & CareGiving Consultant
WELCOME
Thank you for stopping by!
Welcome to CareGiver Transitions. It’s an honor to be a part of an incredible community of people who care for an aging or chronically ill family member or friend.
We are daughters, sons, spouses, parents, grandchildren, and friends committed to doing our best. We are the foundation of our health care system, providing an estimated $35 billion in care annually here in Texas (estimated over $470 billion nationally).
Most of us don't start out calling ourselves "family caregivers". We care because we love, or perhaps due to family obligation. We may begin by "just helping out", or due to a medical crisis.
Before we know it, we can be overwhelmed by the responsibilities and stress of managing a family member's personal, medical, home, legal, financial, and social care needs.
Caregiving can be an isolating experience, and yet 3.4 million Texans (and 40+ million people across the U.S.) are impacted by it's challenges.
We do our best to adjust to the impact on our physical, emotional, workplace, and financial well being, but we need real help. According to a 2017 report by Embracing Carers, the majority of family caregivers do not feel supported or valued by their community.
The impact of caregiving is further magnified for under-served family caregivers, including BIPOC (Black and Indigenous people of color), rural, LGBTQ, and others with less access and resources specific to their needs.
CareGiver Transitions helps connect family caregivers, businesses and community organizations to support, resources, and information to sustain caregiving.
We thank you for the care you give.
Learn more HERE
Join Us
Sign up for the next edition of our FREE CAREGIVING COMMUNITY GUIDE (coming July 2020 - select your North Texas County)
Get the Comprehensive Local Resource List (FREE)
Sign up for the next edition of our FREE CAREGIVING COMMUNITY GUIDE (coming July 2020 - select your North Texas County)
Caregiving Years Training Academy
CareGiver Transitions is thrilled to work in partnership with The Caregiving Years Training Academy! Founded by caregiving expert Denise M. Brown (founder of Caregiving dot com in 1996, sold in March 2020), who has led the field in effective solutions for family caregivers for over 25 years.
Find events worth your precious time -- and good caregiving company -- HERE.
Your experience as a family caregiver is the foundation to make a difference in your community. Learn how to become a Certified Caregiving Consultant, Advocate, Facilitator, and more HERE.
Caregiver Transitions works with The Caregiving Years Training Academy as an instructor, advocate, and affiliate.
COVID-19 CAREGIVING RESOURCES
Caregiving in Unprecedented Times
The COVID-19 pandemic presents challenges that require collective determination and cooperation to overcome. To respond effectively, it's critical to follow the guidelines of health care experts.
As communities mobilize to fill the gap in resources for healthcare professionals, family caregivers are simultaneously challenged to find and mobilize resources needed to care for older, chronically ill, or disabled family members.
The following links include national resources as well as information specific to North Texas.
CDC.gov
Texas Health and Human Services
North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging
Resources, Information and Community Meetings serving adults age 60 or older and their caregivers in the following counties:
Collin, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, and Wise
Facebook: facebook.com/northcentraltexasaaa/
Website: nctcog.org/aging-services
Dallas Area Agency on Aging
Resources, Information and Community Meetings serving adults age 60 or older and their caregivers in Dallas county:
Website: ccadvance.org/
Tarrant Area Agency on Aging
Resources, Information and Community Meetings serving adults age 60 or older and their caregivers in Tarrant county:
Facebook: facebook.com/UWTarrant/
Website: unitedwaytarrant.org/aaatc/
Transitions of Care: Planning for a Family Member's Discharge or Change in Health Care Environment
For FAMILY CAREGIVERS:
caregivertransitions.com/healthcare-encounters
For HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS and RELATED SERVICES:
We're committed to assisting both healthcare professionals and family caregivers impacted by COVID-19 in North Texas.
CareGiver Transitions can help make a difference by supporting discharge planning for North Texas families. Contact us for details. Email: Dannelle@CareGiverTransitions.com
More COVID-19 information and tips
Household checklist (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/checklist-household-ready.html
North Texas Aging & Disability Resource Center: nctadrc.org/
Resources for Older Adults, Caregivers & Health Care Providers (John A. Hartford Foundation): https://www.johnahartford.org/dissemination-center/view/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-resources-for-older-adults-family-caregivers-and-health-care-providers
aarp.org/health/?cmp=CON-HEALTH-COVID19-031220 (AARP)
Top COVID-19 Scams to look out for
The Dallas Morning News
Caregiving Community Guide for North Texas Family Caregivers
Receive the next edition of our free Caregiving Community Guide (coming July 2020) -- a comprehensive directory of caregiving resources customized for 12 North Texas counties (select your county to subscribe).
CELEBRATING NORTH TEXAS FAMILY CAREGIVERS
Tammy's Story
Tammy's Story
In recognition of National Family Caregivers Month, it was an honor to share stories of endurance, hope, and extraordinary care from family caregivers across North Texas!
This special series features individuals who live and breathe the daily joys and challenges of caring for a family member due to aging, chronic illness or differences in ability. Be inspired by their endurance, hope, and extraordinary care.
Tammy's Story
Tammy's Story
Tammy's Story
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The sacrifices we make in our personal lives to care for aging parents is exemplified by Tammy, who essentially runs her own assisted living residence for family members.
Tammy's heart for service has extended to helping others through a support group at her church, and other faith based community activities.
Watch Tammy's story here.
Kylie's Story
Tammy's Story
Martha's Story
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As a licensed clinical therapist, the physical and emotional toll of caring for a newborn with critical care needs as well as acutely ill parents was no less overwhelming for Kylie.
Through her journey she learned techniques and skills to help others through the challenges of both family and professional caregiving.
Watch Kylie's story here.
Martha's Story
Martha's Story
Martha's Story
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It's been a tough road to find peace for Martha, who cares for her husband with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS – Lou Gehrig’s disease).
Hear how she fought to find a diagnosis, and how she learned to empower herself in her caregiving journey.
Watch Martha's story here.
Wilma's Story
Martha's Story
Wilma's Story
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Wilma cares for both her mom and husband, while also working outside the home. In spite of every effort to be and do it all, she began to burn out from the stress of around the clock care.
Watch Wilma's story of perseverance, love, and hope.
Watch Wilma’s story here.
Nancy's Story
Martha's Story
Wilma's Story
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When Nancy, a physical therapist, began caring for her mom with white matter disease, she never expected the journey to become a marathon.
Through 8 years of caregiving, she’s learned the profound grief of watching her mother’s decline could not keep her from finding joy.
Watch Nancy’s story of endurance, and the wisdom of letting go.
Watch Nancy's story here.
4th ANNUAL NATIONAL CAREGIVING CONFERENCE
The National Caregiving Conference was an incredibly empowering, informative, and fun experience! It was wonderful to be in the company of so many compassionate, determined, beautiful souls.
To stay connected to the insights and innovation behind the National Caregiving Conference, follow Denise M. Brown at her new site the Caregiving Years Training Academy
Thank you to all the participants, presenters, sponsors, and Denise M. Brown for your amazing work!
The GOOD DAYS EXCHANGE
What is Good Days Patient Assistance?
What is Good Days Patient Assistance?
What is Good Days Patient Assistance?
Good Days Patient Assistance programs provide financial help for people who battle a chronic illness or life-altering condition.
Clients not only receive help with many of the financial costs of care, but also connections to resources and community partners for additional support.
Learn more about Good Days Patient Assistance programs in support of people battling a chronic or life-altering illness, and their caregivers here.
The Exchange
What is Good Days Patient Assistance?
What is Good Days Patient Assistance?
Executive Director of Good Days Clorinda Walley interviews Peyton Manning.
The 2019 Good Days Exchange brings awareness and celebrates those who work in relentless support to address the impact of chronic illness.
Inspired Stories
What is Good Days Patient Assistance?
Inspired Stories
The Exchange welcomed guests from across the country, including those who have received life saving help from Good Days assistance programs.
Jake Olson, Courtney Clark, Naomi Judd, and keynote Peyton Manning each shared their inspiring story overcoming a chronic or life-altering condition.
Our congratulations and heartful thanks to Clorinda Walley and her amazing team!
Inaugural Regional Caregiving Conference Southwest
Thank you to all who joined us for the Inaugural Regional Caregiving Conference Southwest in Wimberley, Texas!
Attendees participated in educational and inspired caregiving sessions throughout the day, and had the following to say about the conference:
"Emotionally and intellectually supportive, meaningful. Insightful. Encouraging and spiritually enlightening. Filled with practical ideas and delicious food! Thanks!" - Diane
"Thank you so much for putting this seminar on for us caregivers. What an incredible source of information and encouragement. For bringing such solid and informed speakers, many of them walking the same or similar caregiving roles." - Gail
"Outstanding!! Motivating! Great learning experience. Eye-opening content. Well organized, excellent food, good networking opportunity. Thank you!!" - Rosa
Conference highlights included keynote speaker Bruce McIntyre, who delivered his presentation "Thrive Anyway: 12 Lessons After 12 Years of Chronic Illness and Caregiving."
We are so grateful to all of our exhibitors, volunteers, and sponsors including American Advisors Group (AAG), TBI Warrior Foundation and Alexis Point Senior Living.
As part of our full day of caregiving sessions, attendees enjoyed a fantastic presentation from local expert Martha Fiddes with North Texas Qi Gong (featured above).
CareGiving Partners
Certifications and Memberships
