Experiences in Caregiving

In this episode, we discuss the importance of exercise and movement for our loved ones. We explore how to motivate them to exercise, various types of activities and exercises to try, and equally important, the significance of movement and exercise for the caregivers themselves.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/

This month we discuss how we approach the difficult discussions of caregiving (i.e. Power of Attorney (POA) considerations, live-saving measures, care facility, in-home care etc) with our elderly loved ones, our families, and others on our care team. Sometimes these conversations are meant with anger, sadness, suspicion, or an outright refusal to have the discussion all together. We discuss ways to break through and put a care plan in place to hopefully avoid chaos later.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/

In this episode we discuss the complex nature of relationships between caregivers and those around them who may or may not also be grieving. We discuss communication styles, how best to support a caregiver, and how caregivers can compensate when their allies can't or won't support them.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/

With the overwhelming response to our "The Impact of Caregiving on the Black Community" episode, we've come back with a part 2 to further discuss the challenges of caregiving in the African American/Black community, the racial disparities in care for loved ones, support for caregivers, and access to resources.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/

In our newest episode we are celebrating Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month so we are talking all things brain health, the Alzheimer's Association's "The Longest Day" fundraising initiatives, and how "The Longest Day" impacts our caregiving community.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/

This month we discuss the upcoming "era of treatment" in relation to brain health and the frustration caregivers feel when trying to get a diagnosis, in particular the correct diagnosis, so that they can make plans and get out in front of dementia with treatments, medications, etc. We also discuss ways caregivers can approach primary doctors and neurologists in hopes of getting heard and getting the info they need.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/

This month we are discussing the impact of caregiving on the African American/Black community, the racial disparities in care for loved ones, support for caregivers, and access to resources. In addition, we will discuss the unique challenges the Black community is navigating and potential ways to overcome them.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/

Related Links:

Jessica Guthrie: Instagram @CareerCaregivingCollide

Andrea Krystal: Instagram @itsandreakrystal | Website: https://www.andreakrystal.com/

Ty Lewis: Instagram and Tik Tok @iamgertrude | Website: https://www.incaseiforgetconsulting.com/

Jacquelyn Revere: Instagram and TikTok @momofmymom | Website: https://momofmymom.com/

In this episode we're talking about why caregivers need support groups, their benefits, what made us finally say yes to this type of support, and how to overcome some of the obstacles to support.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/

This month we tackle the holiday time blues, mainly how to handle our grief and how to set boundaries and expectations with family and friends during the holidays.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/

In honor of National Family Caregivers Month, we are bringing awareness to resources in our caregiving community. In this episode we talk about three organizations / projects / communities that are doing amazing work to help caregivers on their journeys. We discuss what resources they provide and how our listeners can access these much needed resources. A lot of our feedback from listeners is that they didn't even know our resource and others existed so we will continue to highlight organizations, projects, and communities that are doing great work in this space. Cheers to all the caregivers out there!

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/

Links:

Care Virtue - Built for Family Caregivers

Comfort Homesake - Caregiver, Non Profit, Long Term Care

Hope Loves Company

Sarah Trott's Caregiver Community

Aidaly - Aidaly helps you get paid to be a caregiver for family

October is Lewy Body Dementia Awareness month so we are talking all things Lewy Body - what it is, how it differs from other more common forms of dementia, how caregivers approach Lewy Body in light of those differences, and potential resources and support for caregivers struggling with how to manage Lewy Body.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/

In this episode we discuss the somewhat taboo topic of caregivers who decide to go into a new relationship while caring for their spouse. We work our way through this delicate subject by exploring the potential feelings that a caregiver goes through. We also explore how these feelings can affect their families and society as a whole.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/

In this month's episode we are discussing the potential overlaps between caregiving and science/research, ways that caregivers can utilize research/scientific advancements now or in the recent future to help them on their caregiving journey, and the major takeaways from this year's Alzheimer's Association's International Conference which happened earlier this month.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/

In this episode we discuss the intricacies of caregiving for a person or loved one who we have a complicated relationship with, whether that be in the past or currently. We explore how we as caregivers make our way through this complicated space to get to a place of acceptance, maybe even forgiveness, but at the very least, a place of self love.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month so we are talking all things brain health, the Alzheimer's Association's "The Longest Day" fundraising initiatives, and "The Longest Day" impacts our caregiving community.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode we discuss the challenges that can sometimes lead to feeling impatient, angry and frustrated. This can spark from feeling a lack of control over the situation or the loved one, being overwhelmed, or just the weight of the grief. We discuss these challenges and ways to potentially manage them.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/

In this episode we discuss how navigating a sibling's role within the caregiver journey can be difficult and complex due to the issues with grief, family dynamics, logistical and geographical complications, denial, and stress. We try to tackle the topic from a compassionate place, while also getting very real about the struggles some caregivers face in lieu of sibling support.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/

In this episode we continue our discussion on choosing a care facility with a focus on on how to maintain a level of care that you as a caregiver deem necessary now that your loved one is in a care facility.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

This month we are discussing the process of choosing a care facility for your loved one. We discuss the emotional conversations that we as caregivers have with ourselves and with our loved ones about coming to terms with the need or desire to move our loved one into a facility. We also discuss the logistical aspects of choosing the right facility that meets your loved one's needs. For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

This month we are discussing the emotional and behavioral benefits that music brings to those suffering from a cognitive impairment. We also highlight the power and magic that music has as a tool for caregivers to use with their loved one and also how caregivers can utilize music to process their own grief as well.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

This month we celebrate National Caregiver's Month so we are discussing having compassion for ourselves and practicing self-care. We also discuss how important it is to maintain physical, emotional, and mental well-being as a caregiver to avoid burnout and to better help caregivers support their loved ones.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode we discuss how regular and nutritious meals become more of a challenge for people living with a cognitive impairment. We talk about how we as caregivers manage this shift as well as ideas on how to create more agency as a caregiver so that your loved one gets the care and nutrition they need and deserve.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode we discuss how caring for our loved ones has led some caregivers to helping others in similar situations, whether it be as a career or through volunteering. We talk about what inspires these caregivers to do this type of work and ways we can utilize this work as an outlet for our grief.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode we discuss the profound changes our personal relationships go through (spouses, partners, friendships, etc) as a result of being a caregiver. We look at how caregiver's perspectives on their relationships, their priorities, and how they see the world have shifted and ways that our loved ones can be allies on this journey.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode we discuss the puzzling and sometimes upsetting aspects of personal hygiene as dementia symptoms progress. We look at the reasons why those with a cognitive impairment struggle with their personal hygiene and tips for helping our loved ones take care of themselves.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

On June 20th, people from across the world will fight the darkness of Alzheimer's through a fundraising activity of their choice. In this episode we discuss what The Longest Day means to those who suffer from the disease and those who are taking care of someone with the disease. We also discuss the impact these events have had on the Alzheimer's community and ways to engage friends and family in The Longest Day.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode we discuss the emotional and mental toll the caregiving experience can take on us, examine why we may feel this way, explore ways to cope, maintain perspective, all while taking care of ourselves.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode we discuss what it means to be a caregiver for a spouse, the major obstacles and decisions that come along the journey, and how to maintain perspective and a meaningful spousal relationship despite any cognitive impairment.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

On this episode we discuss how adult children manage role reversal with their parent living with dementia and feelings attached to the new family dynamics.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

This episode provides insight on how to step into your loved one's current reality and spare them unnecessary upset and distress by using the "therapeutic fibbing" technique. Also how it feels to go along with the older adult's new reality and have it not feel like we're lying to them.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

On this episode we discuss the feelings and obstacles that come with being a long-distance caregiver and the challenges that arise when making the big and everyday care decisions from afar.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode we discuss how men assume the role of caregiver and the unique challenges that are presented as they provide care for a loved one.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode we discuss the timing and circumstances that go into moving a loved one into an assisted living/memory care facility, the transition of the move, and its impact on the loved one and family members after the move.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode we discuss the complex challenges of being a younger caregiver and how the emotional stress of taking care of a loved one affect a young person's life.

For more information about episodes, links to resources, and to give us your thoughts and ideas for new topics, visit https://www.experiencesincaregiving.com/. We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode, we discuss the physical and emotional challenges associated with caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's during Covid 19. We also compare what it's like to care for your loved one at home versus caring for a loved one in a facility during a pandemic.

In this episode, we discuss what it's like to care for someone with Alzheimer's during the holidays.

In this episode, we discuss the first diagnosis and what it felt like to become an advocate or caregiver. We talk about the behaviors or circumstances that led us to getting a dementia or Alzheimer's diagnosis, how it felt to become responsible for someone's health and well-being, as well as everything else that goes along with this experience.

Welcome to the Experiences in Caregiving Podcast; Personal stories and support for caregivers dealing with Alzheimer's. This podcast is brought to you by the San Diego & Imperial County chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

Our mission with this podcast is to create a safe place where caregivers can speak freely on their experiences within the Alzheimer's journey. Throughout this series we will discuss a range of topics and address our struggles, our emotions, and our everyday highs and lows. We hope this space offers comradery, healing, validation, relief, and maybe even a little bit of hope.

We invite you, our listeners, to email us with questions, advice, topics you want covered, or to join our podcast as a guest. Please email us at sandiego-info@alz.org to get in touch with us. Please also feel free to reach out to us via our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.