Happy Healthy Caregiver

Michele Houck is a serial caregiver who started her caregiver roles at age 16 with her mother's first breast cancer diagnosis. Over the last 5 years, she's been the primary caregiver for her mother, her sister, AND her father all who passed due to different cancers. Michele also has over 20 years Marketing experience for many companies in the health and wellness space. Her lessons learned as the main caregiver for her family in addition to her professional Marketing expertise make her the perfect fit to help improve the caregiver experience and promote a culture of care. In this episode, we chat about reaching out for help, how Michele became an instant mom after her sister passed, the exhausting business of death and estate planning, moving forward after repeat losses, and navigating the unwanted roadblocks life throws our way. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod149 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

After working at National Geographic for 21 years, Gina Martin saw how important visual storytelling can bring awareness to important issues. Gina helped her dad Bob care for her mom, Diane, who had Alzheimer’s. The Bob & Diane Fund was created to bring a visual awareness and understanding to Alzheimer's and Dementia. In this episode, Gina shares her parent’s story and how the fund in their names came to be. Gina was definitely a self-care cheerleader for her dad and she was able to do this even from 3,000 miles away. And, Gina also talks about how she had to learn to ask and accept help during her breast cancer journey and recovery earlier this year. A reminder for us all to schedule your mammogram and make sure the others you care about have, too! Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod148 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

Ben Mandelbaum grew up in a home along with his 14 siblings where he witnessed his Mom caring for his great grandmother, and then his grandmother. Ben was also part of his dad’s care team – his dad passed from ALS earlier this year. Ben’s background is in finance for skilled nursing communities. In this episode, we talk about living life while caring for others, the difference between Medicare and Medicaid, what benefits Medicaid can help families with, and how his company NavigAid can help guide and support you through the Medicaid application process. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod147 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

Charlotte Bayala is a spousal caregiver determined to love her caregiving life and help others along the way. Charlotte’s life changed forever when her husband was diagnosed with an incurable form of thyroid cancer in 2013. She uses her experience as a caregiver and her training as a Yoga and Meditation teacher to help caregivers find easy ways to care for themselves. In this episode, we talk about Chicago life, protecting the spousal relationship, addressing worries, themed digital photo albums to help you through rough patches, and how self-care can look different for each of us every day.  Enjoy the show! Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod146 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

Kim Albrecht knows what the sandwich generation feels like. She has been her 18-year-old daughter’s primary caregiver since Miranda was born and she helps care for her mom who is living with dementia. Kim is a southerner transplanted to California via the Midwest along with her husband and 2 teenage daughters, the oldest of which has level 3 nonspeaking autism. Kim hosts the award winning LOMAH Disability Podcast, where over 150 expert guests have been interviewed on topics relevant to planning the future for teens and young adults with disabilities.  In this episode, we talk about how Kim and her husband are preparing Miranda for adulthood and living independently from her parents, Kim’s gratitude for some tough feedback from trusted individuals that shaped her current caregiving mindset, how she recovered from caregiver burnout, and why every caregiver may need to purchase some construction worker headphones. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod145 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

Susanne White is the founder of Caregiver Warrior. She cared for her parents and this caregiving adventure changed her life. She blogs about this journey on her website, caregiverwarrior.com and shares her experience, strength and hope with others so that they too may survive caregiving with grace and empowerment. In this episode, we go deeper into talking about emotional self-care including being vulnerable, coping with anxiety, and modifying our behaviors in the spirit of self-improvement. You’ll also learn about what to expect in Susanne’s new book on our favorite topic – self-care for caregivers! Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod144 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

Carlos Olivas III is a California native who is a three time caregiver. He currently cares for his dad who is living with Alzheimer’s and provides support to his adult daughter and his brother who have mental health concerns. Carlos is archiving and documenting his Dad’s dementia progression through his vast assortment of art In this episode, Carlos and I chat about how work can sometimes feel like respite, what his typical day looks like, how impactful Miguel’s story in the hit TV show This is Us was, self-care routines, and we list out a variety of support options for family caregivers. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod143 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

Sheila Welch is a dementia family advocate and educator. For over 12 years, Sheila has been the Developer/Coordinator of Loving Through Dementia: a free, all volunteer ministry that offers help, hope, inspiration and dementia education to families facing dementia; and provides resources and guidance for churches of all faiths, all communities, and all individuals who seek to better serve these families. Sheila's family has lost eight family members to Alzheimer's. Her husband, who has led this ministry with her for over twelve years, was diagnosed a year and a half ago with Parkinson's dementia. Her own family’s journey, along with the journeys of the families she serves inspire her work today. In this episode, we chat about loving someone through dementia, setting yourself up for a successful caregiving journey, how a faith community ministry could be started in your area, and how to give yourself grace. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod142 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

Caregiving happens. My upcoming guest needed to reschedule – dad in hospital. Family always comes first. I’m not as batched up with episodes as I’d like and the show must go on with a new episode every other Wednesday. So like caregiving, I pivot and haven’t done a show on this topic before. In today’s show, I’m sharing strategies to help the family caregiver that is or feels like they are all alone in their caregiving season. Bottom line is – being a solo caregiver isn’t sustainable. I have yet to hear a solo caregiving success story. Typically the health (and happiness) of the family caregiver suffers when trying to control all the aspects of caregiving plus the other family, household and career responsibilities. Likely your plate was already full. Then heaped on caregiving responsibilities. May have seemed doable at first or you just love this family member or chosen family member so much that you wanted to do whatever it takes. Perhaps you realize this isn’t sustainable but you are in too deep. Today I’m offering strategies to consider. Small changes add up. I believe in you. If you want to work through this together 1:1 – take me on the offer for complimentary coaching or perhaps work with me on an ongoing coaching basis. Schedule your complimentary session today! Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod141 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

Aisha Adkins is an only child caring for her parents. Her mom has Frontal Temporal Dementia, and her dad has suffered multiple strokes. Aisha’s career is the Constituency Organizer for Caring Across Generations. She is a storyteller, advocate, international speaker, and passionate about building an equitable, inclusive, and comprehensive public health and care infrastructure. She enjoys classic film, live music, and the great outdoors when she is not trying to affect positive systemic change. In this episode, we talk about the nuances of being a young caregiver and only child, small yet impactful care advocacy steps can we take, community care, acceptance, managing expectations, and sipping tea. Enjoy the show! Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod140 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