Vacca Associates Family Checks 'n Balances

10/16/2026

Here's a 12 minute video on adaptive clothing for folks who are wheelchair or bed-bound or have health conditions that impact mobility and dexterity.

Let me know your thoughts and if you were even aware that these kinds of items were available.

When you have a health condition (temporary or permanent) or are a caregiver, you need things that make life easier, more comfortable and safe!

For anyone who needs help finding clothes that are easy to put on a...

10/13/2026

Happy 251th Birthday to the US Navy! Thank you to all who served in the Navy (includes my Dad, brother-in-law and many friends).

10/01/2026

Just got done interviewing Diane Kidwell from New Leaf Senior Transitions!!

What a fun interview and lots of good info!!

We packed a lot in 33 minutes (remember -- you can always speed up the playback time!)

Moving a loved one from a longtime family home or independent livin...

08/24/2026

To those of you who were patient enough to watch this video when I didn't have it corrected for YouTube, thank you!

But, here is the link for the YT video where everything is set up correctly so you can watch without having to look sideways (haha).

08/21/2026

Just a quick video on a couple of ideas to help those experiencing early short term memory loss or confusion.

08/12/2026

Grief and Loss -- How do you cope?

Grief and loss are a part of life. As we provide care to our loved ones, somewhere inside of us knows there will be a point at which the caregiving ends because our loved one has passed.

I have not been posting due to dealing with the grief and loss of 3 clients all within weeks of one another. I have the responsibility of handling all the details with hospice, funeral homes, assisted living facilities, out-of-area family members, friends -- you name it, the list is long.

Plus, I have had to deal with my own personal feelings of grief and loss as these clients have been with me for a number of years, I have not only been engaged with them but with their caregivers at the facilities, their doctors and nurses, their family members and friends, and fellow residents at the facilities. It's a lot to deal with and reflect on as I don't just lose my client but I lose many other relationships.

My question to you -- how have you dealt with grief and loss in your lifetime? How are you preparing yourself for when your loved one passes?

Offer up your thoughts and insights so all of us can learn how best to handle this major transition in life.

If you haven't done so yet, please join my free Skool community...https://www.skool.com/thefamilycarecompass/about. Be part of the ongoing conversation on a wide range of issues that impact being a caregiver.

Thanks! Hope all is well with you!

Send a message to learn more

07/02/2026

To all my families, friends and neighbors.....

06/24/2026

I learned so much about notary services through interviewing Cynthia, who is a mobile notary in SoCal.

This is well worth the time to watch it (remember, you can change the playback speed to 1.5 or even 2.0 if you like)

Let me know what you found interesting about notary services that you didn't know before.

This is a great conversation about what notary services are really ...

06/21/2026

To all great men who have been a Dad, protector, provider, cheerleader, mentor, guide, and so much more....

06/12/2026

Ok...this is a bit of a rant (full disclosure).

My doc wants to reduce the dosage of one of my medications (I mean, I only take 2 to begin with...thank God!). I have 5 mg tablets right now that I have to cut in half, but he wants me to go to 2.5 mg tablets that I will cut in half.

Make note: I can't take a 5 mg tiny little tablet and cut it into fours as it would destroy the tablet and I would be trying to take crumbs of medication every day. Hold onto the picture.

So, the new order gets sent to my pharmacy and I hear nothing back from them. A week goes by, and I decide I better check in with them.

I am told my insurance denied the order. What???

So, I am finally slowing down and reaching out to request a redetermination for the lower dosage pills.

May I say after filling out the redetermination form online that.... how in the h*ll do these companies think people are going to be able to fill out the form, exactly as needed, before you can hit the 'submit' button, when there are...
> restrictions on "special characters" (commas???)
> you need your doc's fax number (really?? do you know every doctor's office fax number?)
> you need your member insurance number (which you can't tell if it's an "8" or "0" because the font is so small and the ink blurs it on the plastic card)

This is why I will never be able to retire from my work as a case manager. This is why my patients/clients get freaky when I say I am leaving town for a week vacay and they immediately have to note the day and hour I am returning.

This is why the need for advocates for people who can't do this themselves, figure it out, because it's damn frustrating and confusing even for a case manager, and let's not go there about --- well, just call them!! Really??

Can we talk about the stupid 'phone trees' that answer the phones for just about any company, doctor's office, pharmacy, etc etc etc?
OK, I'm done and I rest my case.

I will never retire because the system(s) of not only healthcare but just about everything has made it near impossible for vulnerable people to figure it out on their own and get the help and support they need and deserve.

Just a rant.

(Note: Join my Skool community to find real help and support from not just me but an awesome group of fellow caregivers and professionals -- it's free --

The place for ‘tried & true’ solutions to caring for loved ones as they age, while enjoying the journey & taking care of you!