CarePreparer 💜

Est. 2024 | 'CARE by Frederick' an online Carepreparing ™ and Caregiving community @TPACAco dedicated to @FrederickReddie's mother, Mrs. Dee Reddie.

[CarePreparer 💜 @CarePreparer]

#MissionAccomplished with Mrs. Dee Reddie and @drink_AG1! She still enjoys it, and I couldn’t be happier—10 days into the 4-month challenge.

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[Frederick Reddie @FrederickReddie]

Quick #PreparednessTip: #Carepreparer #FoodStorage Stock Up on Ensure Nutrition Shakes

As a @Carepreparer be a good steward of your money and your loved one's health! Did you know Ensure Nutrition Shakes have a shelf life of one year? That makes them a great item to stockpile, especially when you can catch them on sale. Right now, there’s a $6 off coupon at @BJsWholesale, so this is the perfect time to stock up.

I personally use these shakes to supplement my mother’s diet by adding them to her daily spinach and blueberry smoothies. You never know when the next unthinkable event might happen, so it’s smart to prepare now rather than wait. Take advantage of deals like this and ensure you have nutritious options on hand when you need them most!

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https://t.co/hMloh9fT9C

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[Frederick Reddie @FrederickReddie]

Day #6

#FoodStorage #Fruit

Caregiver vs. Carepreparer.

As a @Carepreparer, it is crucial for me to provide my mother with the nutritious foods she is accustomed to, given her struggle with Alzheimer's and dementia. Changes in her diet can significantly impact her well-being, and even the texture of food affects her ability to swallow. My responsibility is to ensure her quality of life, and I strive to prepare for any unforeseen events.

In line with biblical wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 6:6-8, which tells the story of the ant: "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest." This teaches us the importance of diligent preparation and foresight.

I no longer give her soda, sweet tea, or lemonade, as these would be unavailable during any significant event. Instead, I provide her with purified or spring water, now @drink_AG1, and a smoothie made with a heaping handful of spinach, one carrot, a scoop of @DrinkOrgain organic protein powder, @SimplyOrgFoods Ceylon cinnamon, organic frozen blueberries, and one organic banana, all blended with vanilla Ensure Nutrition Shake. I also give her organic prune juice when needed, which has a long shelf life, along with the Ensure, so both can be stored for a year or more, which is my goal.

We all know the difference between basic sustenance, comfort food, and a touch of sweetness. During a crisis, for comfort and a touch of sweetness, I rely on fruits for my mother, either canned or in applesauce cups, which can last up to two years. She won't be able to eat dehydrated banana chips or other rubbery foods that come in 5-gallon buckets of 25-year long-term food kits.

I highly recommend stocking up on canned fruits and similar foods that you eat regularly. Once supply chains are disrupted, obtaining fresh bananas, apples, oranges, or other fruits will become challenging, especially if you need to stay in your home for an extended period. Remember, canned fruit has a longer shelf life than often stated, so plan accordingly.

Can you survive for 90 days in your home without power during winter and come out relatively happy and healthy?

If you can't, you might want to become a Preparer.

#WalkItLikeITalkIt

God bless and #BePRIMED my friends.

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[Frederick Reddie @FrederickReddie]

🧵 Day Three Report: Initial Observations

Even though this is only a Day Three report, I can already say that my mom is drinking more water, which is fantastic. I plan to wait the full four months to see if there are any noticeable results, unless something significant happens before then. If I see any changes sooner, I’ll update everyone. Otherwise, I’ll wait until the end of the challenge. I really hope and pray that AG1 works for her because, come January, I’ll have to decide whether to continue. I pray that financial constraints won’t force me to stop. I truly hope this helps my mother.

One Negative Aspect: Shelf Life Concerns:

With that being said, there is one negative aspect: the short shelf life of AG1. As a Preparer, I live with the reality that the world can shut down at any time; we've already seen it happen before, and I anticipate it will happen again. It would be more appealing if I could buy a year’s supply in advance, especially given my preparedness mindset. However, due to the short expiration date, that seems impossible.

Check out the picture of my supplement shelf taken in July (though it lacks a timestamp). Most of the supplements I have last for over a year, and where I store them likely provides another six months of usability with minimal loss in potency and effectiveness.

In a situation where we need to be prepared to close our doors for 90 days without power, such as during a #CyberPandemic, and come out HAPPY AND HEALTHY, supplements will play a significant role. For me, life will keep moving as usual, and hopefully, you'll be able to say the same.

I have a greater responsibility than just myself—I need to ensure everything keeps running smoothly, especially for my mother. She should not be affected when #TheEvent happens that ushers in the #GreatReset. But I digress.

For most people, the short-term expiration date might not be a big deal, but I’m called to be different. I’m built differently, and that is a negative aspect of #AG1 for me.

Looking Ahead with Optimism:

Let’s end on a positive note. As of now, I’m extremely happy and excited, and I’m looking forward to the next 4 months. If this works out, I really see a market for AG1 among seniors. They have the disposable income, and this could become part of my Carepreparer program if the conclusion meets my expectations. But I don’t want to say much more than that yet.

Thinking Outside the Box:

This tip isn’t just about AG1; it’s about thinking outside the box for solutions to ensure that whoever you’re caring for can live at the highest level of health and performance. Our bodies need a certain amount of vitamins, minerals, and herbs to function properly. My mom is now in a wheelchair for the rest of her life, so she’s not getting much sun.

I should mention another benefit of AG1: it includes liquid bottles of D3 and K2. I used to give her these in pill form, but now they’re in liquid form, which I appreciate. The liquid blends in nicely. If you put it in water, it might not mix well and could leave residue on the cup. So, you need to blend and shake it well to ensure you’re getting at least 5,000 IU, which is our goal with five drops.

Final Thoughts:

So far, so good with AG1. I can’t fully say how I feel about it yet, but anything is worth trying, right? From the research I’ve done, everyone’s body reacts a little differently. There hasn’t been any question about the levels of multivitamins you get with AG1, and that’s my main goal. Food will always be the first source, which is why they’re called supplements; they supplement what you can’t get from food. Because of my mother’s health conditions (wheelchair bound) and age, she needs supplements. As for me, I just need to eat properly, find a women who loves to cook, and get married, but I digress.

I hope this content was edifying. God bless, and #BePRIMED, my friends.

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Try @drink_AG1 by using @dillonloomis link above ☝🏾

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[Frederick Reddie @FrederickReddie]

Day #3

The Four-Month @drink_AG1 Challenge for My Mother, Mrs. Dee Reddie

This #PreparednessTip is for @Carepreparer a@Carepreparer and #Caregiver and anyone taking care of loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's and Dementia.

NOTE: Feel free to correct me in the comments if I’m wrong about anything in this post.

In January 2024, I signed up for an $88 monthly subscription to Athletic Greens (AG1) after hearing @dillonloomis talk about it in his videos, so I will share his affiliate link below as he is a born-again Christian brother.

My motivation? My mother.

For those unfamiliar with AG1, here’s how they describe it on their homepage: What is AG1?

AG1 is much more than just greens. It’s a daily, drinkable scoop of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and whole food-sourced ingredients in one. Validated by research and formulated for holistic health, AG1 supports your entire body, brain, and gut health.

My mother suffers from Alzheimer's, and after a very trying year in 2023, her condition has worsened. Starting in February, she underwent multiple surgeries: one to insert pins in her kneecap after a fall, two to remove a kidney stone, another in July to fix a fractured hip with pins after another fall, and finally, in March 2024, a surgery to remove the pins from her hip as they didn’t help.

These surgeries involved five rounds of anesthesia, which have only accelerated her Alzheimer's @alzassociation. It’s heartbreaking to see her not being the person she once was. Given this background, it’s important to note that she now struggles to swallow pills. I had her on about 13 different supplements, from turmeric to fish oil (we all know how big those pills are), vitamin C, etc., so I needed an alternative. That’s the #1 reason I started her on #AG1 this month.

Now, you might wonder why I waited until September to start her on AG1 if I subscribed in January. The truth is, I can’t afford two subscriptions, and even affording one is a stretch. The cost of this year-long commitment is $1,056—a significant amount for someone on a tight budget. As a full-time caregiver for my mother, I can only work part-time.

I wanted to do this challenge alongside her to see if it would make a difference in my life, knowing that if it helped me, it would likely help her too. Unfortunately, she can’t speak for herself, and wouldn’t remember if AG1 was working or not. So, I saved up eight months' worth of AG1 to do a four-month challenge for both of us.

Technically, I could have started at six months, but I wanted to begin in September, after she had her vitamin levels checked. Thankfully, everything came back great, as we eat very healthily. Nutrition from actual food is our primary source, but as people age, they often need more vitamins and minerals because they have a harder time absorbing them. That’s why I started AG1 for both her and myself.

I am hoping and praying to see a difference in her and, of course, in myself. But this is mainly about her. There’s one unexpected benefit I’ve noticed: she actually enjoys drinking AG1.

I’ve always tried to get her to drink a cup of water as soon as she wakes up in the morning, as it’s good for her. However, she doesn’t like drinking water because Alzheimer's affects her swallowing, making it a bit more difficult. But in the past three days, after giving her AG1, I’ve noticed a significant change. She finishes her water within five to ten minutes, which is amazing. Normally, she would take one sip and set it down, and that would be it. But now, she’s drinking more water, and that alone is a major blessing. #WinWin.

There is ONE NEGATIVE that needs to be mentioned, but I’ll leave that for the comments section where I’ll also post some pictures to give you more context. So, let’s continue this 🧵 threaded discussion there.

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Visit AG1: https://t.co/x9m0aQwAlF

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[Frederick Reddie @FrederickReddie]

@TPACAco #PreparednessPriorities Quick #PreparednessTip

The difference between a Caregiver 🤷 😔 vs. a @CarePreparer 💪 😉

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[Frederick Reddie @FrederickReddie]

Yes, the gray wave is real. Every day, 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65, a trend that began in 2011 and will continue until 2030, spanning 19 years. This demographic shift is why I am developing my concept, @CarePreparer.

Few people, regardless of race, are willing to engage in the difficult conversations about family care—beyond estate planning, which is the easier discussion, and into caregiving, which is far more challenging. As a current caregiver for nearly seven years for my mother, I have seen firsthand how much better and easier things would have been if my mother, or even my father before he passed away, had started preparing for their needs in their 60s or even earlier, once they became empty nesters. Choosing a single-level ranch home was a good start, and my mother purchasing long-term care insurance makes a world of difference, but unfortunately, that was where the planning stopped.

The terms "Carepreparer" and "Carepreparing" are ones I have coined to describe this proactive approach, undertaken before caregiving becomes necessary.

It makes little sense that I needed to take on the responsibility of installing a walk-in shower for my mother in her late 80s. This task should have been completed over 20 years ago by my father, but reality can be a tough pill to swallow. This is why I am now my own Carepreparer, meticulously planning so that by the time I turn 60, I can enjoy 20+ years without being a burden on anyone, including the state. I’m not saying that my mother is a burden; it's my honor to care for her and the greatest blessing of my life to date. Because of her and the situation I was placed in by the government—another story altogether—I am forever thankful for becoming a born-again Christian. Otherwise, I would never have been able to continue her legacy of social work in my new concept.

The goal is to become your own Carepreparer, and if you are a son or daughter, start carepreparing for your parents as soon as possible. This will make everything run much more smoothly when caregiving becomes necessary.

I will be launching my Carepreparer Community for free and will eventually develop paid courses to guide people step-by-step in transitioning to preparing for themselves or their loved ones.

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[Frederick Reddie @FrederickReddie]

#HomePreparedness #BackyardEmergencyPreparednessCache #BuryaBible. FREE #PreparednessTip provided by Frederick Reddie's #LikeminderCommunity @TPACAco

What lessons did you learn from the devastation caused by the Maui fire?

One key takeaway for me is that your best emergency survival cache should probably be buried in your backyard rather than in a remote, wooded area miles away, because you might not be able to get there for a few weeks or more.

I’ve been gathering documents and planning what to include in my Survival Backyard cache. As of now, I think a 3-day survival kit should be sufficient, but most importantly, I plan to bury multiple Bibles for myself and my neighbors. I can't think of a better time when the word of God might be needed during some type of unthinkable event.

I bring this up because recently, my mom and I visited my father's grave, who passed away a decade ago, to place a new flag and his Korean War plaque. While there, I stopped in the office and asked for copies of all the paid receipts for my mother’s funeral arrangements, because I am her @CarePreparer.

This includes:

- The grave site purchase
- The casket
- The burial vault
- The opening and closing of the grave
- The grave marker
- Any service fees

I already had these receipts; I just didn’t want to pay for a second set of copies. Now, I’ll add this envelope of documents to the contents going into my emergency preparedness cache in my #SurvivalBackyard. Preparedness is always top of mind; I pray the same for you.

I hope to complete this project by fall or perhaps by the end of summer. I've identified a suitable area to hide it in plain sight and figured out an easy way to access it. Now it’s time to dig and execute the plan.

Now that you’ve read this, do you plan to make a backyard emergency preparedness cache? Let me know in the comments.

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[Frederick Reddie @FrederickReddie]

#PreparednessObservation: People can't afford to mulch even in upper-middle-class neighborhoods—that's what 2024 looks like. I estimate that as many as 30% of the homes I visit, regardless of the neighborhood, can't afford the upkeep of their homes, which is quite sad for living in America. Ironically, it's the wealthier neighborhoods where you see more neglect compared to middle-class neighborhoods.

So, what does this tell you? Live within your means, plan for the future, and prepare for unexpected financial difficulties. When times are good, you should save rather than focus on 'leveling up.' Save up so that when times are bad, you can take advantage of good prices and, more importantly, have enough savings to maintain your home if anything goes wrong.

And let me tell you, things can go wrong. I am living proof of that. I wouldn't have thought in a million years I would be a full-time @CarePreparer for my mother. Everything has changed for me, and with no help, I'm wearing five different hats just to maintain. So when I tell you to put your faith in the Lord, I actually mean it. It is the only thing keeping things together in my household right now, and I'm very blessed and thankful to have Jesus Christ in my life, guiding my path.

I think you get my point. God bless and #BePRIMED, my friends.

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[Frederick Reddie @FrederickReddie]

#CarePreparer #Carepreparing
[Old post in draft]

Do you know what it's like to clean up an insane amount of *blood that was vomited out of your own mother's mouth?

Cleaning it up is physically and mentally challenging, but as caregivers (I identify as a Carepreparer), we often find ourselves tackling difficult tasks. It's okay to seek easier ways to handle these situations, even if it takes time.

I could have tried scrubbing it out and settled for 60% of the blood being removed from the bib she wears, but instead, I realized there had to be a better way. So, I filled up a sink with water and bleach and just let it soak.

As Carepreparers, we must find ways to support ourselves. We can't falter when faced with challenges; this is when we are needed most. I wear many hats, and they all fit comfortably because I accept them. In fact, I enjoy wearing these hats.

The moral of the story is that tough situations will arise, and sometimes it's best to let time solve some of the problems because WE HAVE NO TIME TO TAKE OFF. We still have all these hats to wear, and the workload won't stop just because it's difficult. So, find ways to make it easier.

God Bless to all the sons and daughters who step up to honor their mother and father.

@CarePreparer
We Care, We Prepare and We Share.™

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*GI bleeding that resembles coffee grounds in appearance is often referred to as "coffee ground vomiting" or "coffee ground emesis." This term describes the dark, granular appearance of blood in vomit, which occurs due to partial digestion of blood in the stomach.

[Frederick Reddie @FrederickReddie]

#DailyPreparedness #CarePreparer #Carepreparing #HumanWaste

When you see something that is broken or about to fail, call it in right away and take advantage of the warranty to get it replaced. It hasn’t been that long since COVID-19, and if you learned anything from that time, it should be that companies don't stockpile a lot of products. During a crisis, there will definitely be shortages. If it's something you use regularly, make sure you have a backup.

If anything's wrong, get it fixed immediately. This post is just a reminder to stay on top of your game, if you are a @CarePreparer or Caregiver, make preparedness a priority to ensure you're getting what you paid for.

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https://t.co/hMloh9fT9C

[CarePreparer 💜 @CarePreparer]

As a Carepreparer for my mother, ensuring continuity during emergencies is crucial. Whether you're caring for yourself or a loved one, I strongly advise stockpiling these commode liners and pads.

To purchase visit the Preparedness Shop on Amazon 👇🏾

https://t.co/Skh69NLLIs

[CarePreparer 💜 @CarePreparer]

I wholeheartedly recommend the Lunderg commode liners and super absorbent commode pads, products I've relied on for well over a year. The commode liners have never failed me—something that could have been a messy situation—but thankfully, that's never been the case.

[Frederick Reddie @FrederickReddie]

My mom and I being featured last fall in the @newyorktimes in a caregiving article. This is how I came up with my concept called @CarePreparer and #Carepreparing which I will debut soon @TPACAco.

#WalkItLikeITalkIt

https://t.co/qpWwyfIhn9

[Frederick Reddie @FrederickReddie]

#CarePreparer #Gratitude

One of the reasons I came home in October 2017, after receiving a call from the government informing me that my mother was a victim of elder abuse and had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and dementia, was gratitude. I completely agree with @jasonwhitlock: my mother paid for my college tuition and room and board all by herself. My father placed a "Be All That You Can Be ... In The Army" flyer on my bed—that was his choice for me—but my mom saw something else in me, and I couldn't be more grateful. Having that experience of college is beyond words, and it has given me more pleasure, challenges, and knowledge (which has turned into wisdom) than any other period in my life.

Now, six years later taking care of my mother, I couldn't have predicted how this process would play out or how difficult it would be, she is now in a wheelchair and a two person assist but there's only one person here #ItIsWhatItIs. However, we're making and without a doubt, it is my greatest challenge and accomplishment, and I couldn't be prouder of myself. The last thing I would ever say about my mother is that she and this journey have been a burden. It's been my pleasure and honor because it has brought me closer to God, and now I consider myself a born-again Christian all because I decided to come back home, literally and spiritually.

In my later years, when I should be focusing on my retirement and earning as much as I can, I have sacrificed it all for the love of my mother and the gratitude I have for her. She gave me supreme confidence, so I don't worry about making money, and, even more importantly, she raised me with biblical principles, so I know I'm never alone in any struggle. My mother was a preacher's daughter, and she raised me exactly how you would expect a preacher’s daughter to raise a son. I am blessed for that.

I must concur with Jason because I have had plenty of friends who are not black and who can't understand at all why I would do such a thing. And not just place her in a nursing home, where she would have undoubtedly died during COVID-19, living in Pennsylvania where they put the virus into the homes. Believe it or not, some of my friends call themselves Christians who think like that.

I'll tell you a quick story: when I was in middle school, I used to walk past Kmart on my way home. One time, I didn't have any money, still went in and stole a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, and they caught me. Back then, the police would actually take you home in handcuffs with the lights on to make a point, and boy, were my parents embarrassed, especially my mother. She ran me up there to apologize and then bought one of those big spiral-bound notebooks and had me write the fifth commandment until the notebook was filled. The fifth commandment is: "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you" (Exodus 20:12 NKJV). That made quite an impression on me along with that whipping I took from my father. When I got that call from the government saying my mom had been a victim, they actually gave me a choice. I told them there was no choice, only sacrifice, and I would be home to take care of my mama.

[CarePreparer 💜 @CarePreparer]

The second area of Carepreparer supplies in my #SurvivalBasement is coming together nicely. Remember, one is none and two is one—backups for your backups.

[CarePreparer 💜 @CarePreparer]

#Carepreparing #Another case of FitRight Aloe Quilted Heavyweight Personal Cleansing Cloth Wipes, Unscented, 576 Count, 8 x 12 inch Adult Large Incontinence Wipes. Prudent #Stockpiling. #MustBuy for Carepreparers or Caregivers.

https://t.co/Rm5RNPBvX1

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[CarePreparer 💜 @CarePreparer]

I purchased an additional 1,000 vinyl gloves and three more McKesson premium hand sanitizers with aloe, which expire in April 2026. This ensures they will be used in time and were obtained at a good price, alleviating any concerns about shortages during an unexpected emergency.

[CarePreparer 💜 @CarePreparer]

Having 18 months of supplies on hand for your loved one is a very responsible approach. As a CarePreparer, I understand the importance of stocking up on essentials like adult diapers, Sani-Cloth, and premium hand sanitizer in case of another pandemic or supply chain disruptions.

[CarePreparer 💜 @CarePreparer]

My mom, #MrsDeeReddie, had successful surgery today to remove hardware that was incorrectly placed in her hip 7/23. Since then, she hasn't been able to stand or walk. I 🙏🏾 that in a few months she will. As a #Carepreparer, you always to have prepare for the worst outcome.