Pull the Help Chain | Elder Care or Self Care

Heartsong Fit With Vickie Maris | Healthy Ways to Address Stress

"Pulling the help chain" is a phrase I describe in Episode 23 of Heartsong Fit. In the Toyota Way, this phrase is related to Andon. The help chain, help cord, or yellow stop button, is a mechanism that line workers can use to stop production and call for help. It's also used to notify the line that something has gone wrong in the manufacturing process.

In this solo show, I record my thoughts about pulling the help chain if you're a caregiver and need help from family and friends. I recorded this episode on a Saturday while in the barn and hanging out with the llamas. They munch their hay and communicate with each other, and with me. I share with you about what it was like to "pull the help chain" in the previous week. I reflect on how helpful my friends, coworkers and family members were in a week of "caregiving on steroids." I thank my friends for stepping up and helping out.

You can hear the llamas' activity as if you were in the barn aisle with me. They munch on hay, stomp their feet, chortle complaints to each other, and give me kisses to make me feel better. Videos available here: https://www.youtube.com/user/dpfllamas