Meet military family caregiver Caira Benson. Before Caira was a family caregiver she was a thriving non-profit director who loved teaching Art History at her local college. She left it all to take up the most important vocation she had never wanted – caregiver to her husband, Eric, a catastrophically injured veteran. Armed with coffee and a lot of humor, Caira is determined to fight for her family to function somewhat normally despite all their challenges. In this episode we talk about how Caira navigated her husband’s health journey with the VA, how she made the choice to not be angry, how h ..read more

In today’s show, I am shining the caregiver spotlight on Brenda Blais Nesbitt. Brenda is a master in advocating and navigating the confusing world of disability. Her personal experience has enhanced her ability to help others navigate the complexities of the healthcare system and excel in the challenging journey of caring for and loving those with complex needs. In today’s episode we discuss how Brenda embraced outside help, why Brenda doesn’t want to be pitied, and how to get comfortable having a one-sided conversation with a loved one. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit ..read more

In this episode I reflect back on 2021 and my 4 years of podcasting and looking ahead to 2022. I talk about my podcasting journey, some highlights from 2021, how I did on my 21 for 2021 list, the Happy Healthy Caregiver Holiday Gift Guide, what my plans are for the holiday season and some initial thoughts for 2022. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod126 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 Elizab ..read more

In this episode, we are shining the caregiver spotlight on Cassidy Bastien. Cassidy cared for her father who had COPD and Emphysema before he passed in 2020. I have no doubt he received exceptional care as Cassidy has been a professional Certified Nursing Assistant for 19 years. During these past 5 years, she has worked in hospice and received her certifications as a hospice and palliative care nurses aide and an end of life doula. Cassidy lives and works in Washington State and shares her story about what it was like to work in the healthcare system that was the epicenter for Covid-19 in the ..read more

In this episode, we are shining the caregiver spotlight on Richard Lui. Richard Lui is a veteran and award-winning journalist. You’ll find him currently on MSNBC. He is the first Asian American man to anchor a daily national cable news program, and a team Emmy and Peabody winner. When his dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Richard made a tough decision – he put his successful career on the back burner to help care for his dad. This selflessness didn’t come easy for him and he writes about this in his new book Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness. Richard also complete ..read more

In today’s show we are shining the caregiver spotlight on Kate Washington. Kate Washington earned her PhD in Victorian literature and is the author of Already Toast: Caregiving and Burnout In America. She writes and speaks eloquently about the systemic challenges facing family caregivers. She knows the struggle well as she helps care for her husband Brad. Kate and Brad along with their two daughters live in Sacramento, California. In this episode, we talk about the negative emotions caregivers have, how caregiving is undervalued, what US can do to help caregivers, how Kate's daughters have bee ..read more

In today’s show we are shining the caregiver spotlight on my wonderful first cousin, Meghan Swope! Meghan says her faith & family – both the blood kind, and the chosen kind -- give her life purpose. She could talk for hours about the book she's reading, the Disney trip she's planning, her latest Crossfit workout or what's on your mind. Her "real job" in healthcare marketing has taught her a lot, but nothing prepared her for every aspect of caregiving until she was in it. In this episode we talk about the pros and cons of living in a rural community when it comes to caregiving, how to make ..read more

In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, we are shining the caregiver spotlight on Paul Malley. Paul Malley is President of Aging with Dignity, a position to which he was named in 2002. Throughout his career he has nearly 20 years of experience in the field of aging and advance care planning. In this episode Paul and I talk about what aging with dignity looks like (and doesn’t look like), how the founders work with Mother Theresa ignited the purpose of the Aging with Dignity organization and the Five Wishes document. What the 5 Wishes are and why if you are over the age of 18 yo ..read more

In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, we are shining the caregiver spotlight on Rachel Davis. Rachel is a volunteer retreat leader with No Barriers USA and a full-time caregiver for her husband Jay. Jay suffered a spinal cord injury during a plane crash. This event completely uprooted their lives. Learn how Rachel is coping and moving forward. Rachel shares what a typical day looks like, where she found her supportive tribes of people, how she receives some pay for her caregiving responsibilities, and how chickens play a role in her self-care. Show notes with product and reso ..read more

In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, meet Lauren Dykovitz. Lauren is a writer and author, who lives in New Jersey with her husband and two black labs. Lauren’s mom was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s in July 2010 at the age of 62. Lauren was only 25 years old at the time. She quit her full-time job and became a caregiver for her mom at age 28. Although her mom passed in April 2020, it is Lauren’s mission to help others on their Alzheimer’s journey by sharing stories and lessons from her personal experience. In many ways, she feels like she is just getting started ..read more