Beyond the Uniform: A Military Wife’s Caregiving Journey

This episode is the first in a 4-part special series in partnership with Stanford Healthcare, sponsorsored by Kensington Senior Living. Grant Smith, M.D. and Emily Linderman, BCC from the Palliative Care team at Stanford Health Care are sharing all the basics of palliative care - when to start it, who can benefit from it, and what a PC team does for patients and caregivers.   Here are a few highlights from our conversation: Palliative care teams are transdisciplinary (consisting of workers with different skills, like physicians, social workers, nurses, and chaplains) and support quality of lifePalliative care can be provided at any age and stage of an illnessPalliative care teams are great at helping patients to understand all the information being thrown at them, facilitating family conferences, and coordinating patient care You can find more resources and information about palliative care at caringinfo.org and getpalliativecare.org  Connect with our special series sponsor Kensington Senior Living: Website: kensingtonseniorliving.com Social media: Instagram  LinkedIn Facebook Information for Jennifer O’Brien Website: jenniferaobrien.com  Read more about Jennifer O’Brien here. Purchase your copy of Care Boss by Jennifer O’Brien here. Buy your copy of The Hospice Doctor’s Widow: An Art Journal of Caregiving and Grief here.  Hospice Navigation Services is here for you. If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website: theheartofhospice.com Email: [email protected] More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to [email protected].

Susan Bottega is a nurse by practice who became a caregiver when her husband was diagnosed with CLL (Chronic lymphocytic leukemia) over 12 years ago. Since then, Susan has adjusted her life to caring for Bob, researching CLL and treatment options, and helping other CLL family caregivers through her virtual support group. In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, Susan and I talk about adjusting retirement plans after a diagnosis, finding those who are ready and willing to support you in this new caregiving season, and living with intention to create a full and vibrant life while caring for someone with a chronic disease. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod199 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Have you been told to walk away from loved ones with Alzheimer's, assuming there's nothing left to connect with? The pain of feeling disconnected and hopeless in caregiving is all too real. But what if there was a way to find joy and connection in the midst of it all? Let's uncover the power of creativity and joy in dementia care together. In this episode, Marilyn Raichle, author of "Don't Walk Away: A Care Partner's Journey," provides valuable insights on the power of art therapy for Alzheimer's patients. Her personal experience caring for her mother showed her that her mother was still "in there," and they built the loving relationship theyb were unable to create in the past. Quote: People living with dementia have lives to live and gifts to give. Watch on YouTube Key lessons Art Reveals Hidden Abilities Discovering her mother's artistic talents showed that people with dementia still have gifts to share. Focus on What's Present Instead of dwelling on what's lost, concentrate on discovering and appreciating what remains in the person. Take Time to Just Be Spending quality time together, even just five minutes doing something enjoyable, can build meaningful connections. Listen More Than Talk Ask questions and truly listen to their answers, even if repeated, as they may reveal what's important to them. Find Joy in Small Moments Sharing laughter, songs, walks and simple pleasures can create happiness for both caregiver and care recipient. Accept Their Reality Meet them where they are rather than trying to correct or change their perspective. Love Can Still Grow Despite memory loss, the capacity for giving and receiving love remains intact. Resources mentioned in this episode: Participate in the Expose Dementia Conference, The Art of the Matter, happening March 28th to 30th at the Maritime Conference Center in Linthicum, Maryland. Learn more about the intersection of art and dementia care. Tune in to Podcasthon starting on March 15th and listen to the AlzAuthors episode featuring a discussion on the long-term impact of caregiving. After the Podcast Purchase Don’t Walk Away Learn more about the Moderators Marianne Sciucco Christy Byrne Yates Learn more about Aging & Amazing Sign up for the book club About the Podcast AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please donate here. Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here. Thanks for listening. We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast

"I forgot how to care for myself." - Tara Ross In this powerful episode of Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver, hosts Natalie and JJ welcome guest, Tara Ross to dive deep into the raw realities of caregiving—especially within military families. Tara opens up about her journey from falling in love with John, a dedicated Navy submariner, to facing the life-altering challenges of his traumatic brain injury. This emotional conversation unpacks the hidden struggles of caregivers, from burnout and emotional exhaustion to the fight for proper health advocacy. Tara shares how relocating to Ohio, navigating caregiving through COVID-19, and coping with personal loss shaped her resilience. She also reveals hard-earned lessons on self-care, setting boundaries, and maintaining personal identity while supporting a loved one.

Social Worker Rosie Gaston brings energy and compassion to the care of people and families dealing with life-limiting illness. As a passionate clinical social worker, she’s worked for over a decade supporting individuals, families, and professionals through the intricate journey of end-of-life care. Rosie founded A Better Ending in 2022 to focus on personalized support, community education, and fostering professional development in the end-of-life care domain all while continuing to serve part-time as a hospice social worker. As Rosie says, “A life well lived deserves an ending that honors that life.” Connect with Rosie Gaston and A Better Ending Website: abetterending.org Social media for Rosie Gaston: Instagram @a.better.ending Facebook LinkedIn Information for Jennifer O’Brien Website: jenniferaobrien.com Read more about Jennifer O’Brien here. Purchase your copy of Care Boss by Jennifer O’Brien here. Buy your copy of The Hospice Doctor’s Widow: An Art Journal of Caregiving and Grief here. Hospice Navigation Services is here for you. If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com. Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website: theheartofhospice.com Email: [email protected] More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to [email protected].

Caregiving, especially for those with dementia, presents unique financial challenges. This episode explores the intersection of financial planning and wellbeing for caregivers, addressing the often-unforeseen costs associated with providing care. We discuss proactive financial measures to take before caregiving becomes necessary, including legal considerations and long-term care planning. The conversation also delves into strategies for caregivers already facing financial strain. We cover practical tips for budgeting, accessing available resources, and navigating the complexities of financial assistance programs. Join us for a crucial discussion on protecting both your loved one's future and your own financial wellbeing while caregiving. Our Guest: Danielle Muira I am the owner of Spark Financials. I grew up as an only-child in a middle-class family. My parents strived for financial stability, working hard and long hours. After our daughter was born, I had a strike of urgency to plan for my family’s future. After reviewing my parent's retirement documents, I found that their retirement funds had almost no growth during one of the best decades in the stock market. I started to read finance books, took seven CFP® educational courses, and passed two of the most difficult tests in the financial industry. Now, I have become one of the most prominent financial advisors in the industry.

Caring for a loved one with dementia comes with unique challenges, but it can also open the door to meaningful moments of connection. In this episode, we dive into the journey of caregivers who turned their personal experiences into something truly special, and created a way for other caregivers to find connection with their loved ones. Join us as our guests share their caregiving stories, the obstacles they faced, and how they created an accessible, tactile, and joyful way to interact with their loved ones. From fostering connection to building supportive communities, this conversation is filled with insights, hope, and innovative ways to enhance the lives of those affected by dementia. Find more about about Hodeeay at https://hodeeay.com/ Find Caregiver Training at https://www.higherstandardscaregivertraining.com/ Find Care Equipment solutions at https://www.asksamie.com/ Follow CareLab for more episodes! #DementiaCare #Caregiving #ConnectionThroughPlay #CareLab

In today’s episode, we sit down with Christopher Hensley, a financial advisor with years of expertise in guiding families through financial planning. Christopher shares invaluable advice tailored specifically for caregivers, focusing on how to manage the finances of their loved ones with care and foresight. One of his key messages is the importance of taking proactive steps: “Do it before you need it.” Christopher emphasizes the significance of planning ahead to avoid stress and ensure that resources are available when they’re most needed. From budgeting for medical expenses to setting up a sustainable financial plan, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help caregivers feel more confident and prepared in navigating financial responsibilities. Tune in for practical insights and discover how thoughtful planning today can make a world of difference tomorrow!

Dr. Robert Klitzman has learned the truth about the value of spiritual care through his professional practice and his own lived experience. As an author, he’s written over 180 articles and books on critical issues in bioethics regarding doctor-patient relationships and communication, research, and other areas. Robert realized the whole-person impacts of a traumatic grief event after the death of his sister in the Twin Tower attacks on 9-11. Speaking with physician colleagues, Robert heard them voice erroneous beliefs about the support that chaplains provide. His book Doctor, Will You Pray for Me?: Medicine, Chaplains, and Healing the Whole Person describes an in-depth look into the work of hospital chaplains. The book demonstrates how chaplains, as part of an interdisciplinary team, help families “make sense of serious disease and threats of death and other medical crises, seeking hope, purpose and larger connections beyond themselves”. Buy your copy of Dr. Klitzman’s book Doctor, Will You Pray for Me?: Medicine, Chaplains, and Healing the Whole Person here. Find all of Dr. Klitzman’s works here. Information for Jennifer O’Brien Website: jenniferaobrien.com Read more about Jennifer O’Brien here. Purchase your copy of Care Boss by Jennifer O’Brien here. Buy your copy of The Hospice Doctor’s Widow: An Art Journal of Caregiving and Grief here. Hospice Navigation Services is here for you. If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com. Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website: theheartofhospice.com Email: [email protected] More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to [email protected].

Jerri McElroy is a full time in home dementia family caregiver and a Caring Across Generations Fellow. She is passionate about care advocacy and created first care for me to encourage family caregivers to prioritize self preservation for their own health and well being. Jerry is a published author, artist, minister, and also a Daughterhood circle leader. Aisha Adkins is an Atlanta based family caregiver, founder, writer, thought leader, speaker and organizer, who is passionate about building an equitable, inclusive and comprehensive public health and care infrastructure using media, storytelling, culture and policy change. She is committed to making an impact across the country for unpaid caregivers of color through her new venture, Caregivers of Color Collective. In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges faced by marginalized caregivers, sharing powerful insights into their experiences within the healthcare system and family dynamics. We also tackle critical issues like generational trauma, the vital role of allyship and much more. TRANSCRIPT OF EPISODE Jerri McElroy’s - Facebook Group - A Life for a Life: A Caregiver’s Journey https://www.facebook.com/groups/303568590482029/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT Aisha Adkins - https://aishaadkins.com/ Daughterhood