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In this episode, Courtney Moore shares her journey through hospice in caring for her father with pancreatic cancer.

This episode is the first of ten episodes in the 2025 Caregiver Stories vertical.

About the Guest:
Courtney Moore is an intuitive healer trained in Classical Chinese Medicine. She has a clinic in San Francisco where she offers acupuncture, bodywork, and Reiki, and also offers remote intuitive readings to clients around the world. She recently launched The Liberated Body, a 12-week course on excavating and releasing the energetic and emotional roots of pain in the body.

Contact the Guest:

• www.courtneymoorewellness.com
• https://www.instagram.com/courtneymoorewellness/
• https://www.facebook.com/courtneymoorewellness/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneymooreacu/

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This trailer reflects on Season 2 and provides a sneak peek into Season 3.

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Before we move into today’s episode, I want to express my sincere gratitude as I wrap up Season 2. This podcast show has come a long way since I first started it in January of 2023. All thanks to YOU all, the audience, this podcast grew from an average of 30 listens/month to 30 listens/week, and further to 100+ listens/week. This is the last episode of Season 2 as I take a little winter break. If you’re interested in what you can look forward to with Season 3, listen through to the end of this episode.

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For this last episode of Season 2, we’re diving into dementia coaching vs skilled therapy. To review this topic, I have the privilege of interviewing Lizette Cloete (“clue-tuh”), OTR/L.

Lizette is a seasoned occupational therapist and the daughter of two parents with cognitive loss. With over 30+ years of experience as an occupational-therapist-turned-dementia-coach and 5 years of being a daughter of dementia, she has helped thousands of families navigate a dementia care journey from diagnosis to death. Her personal experience as a family caregiver to her parents opened her eyes to the complexities related to caregiving, including the balancing act between her own health, her own resources, and her own relationships while caregiving, not to mention navigating the healthcare system with, and for, her parents. This journey prompted her to develop a unique process to dementia caregiving. From a faith-based perspective, she uses science-backed solutions to dementia caregiving based in her education and training as an occupational therapist with specialty certifications in dementia care.

Lizette is on a mission to help Christian spouses and adult children of people with dementia navigate their journey by decreasing caregiver stress. Using Biblical principles, evidence-based solutions to dementia caregiving and addressing caregiver stress through weekly tracking, Think Different Dementia (TDD) shows caregivers how, and where, to decrease their stress and reduce their risk for burnout and redeem your time.

We believe that dementia coaching is the most effective way to help caregivers decrease their stress by anticipating and managing the inevitable dementia-related changes. We know that time is the one resource that cannot be regained, and we help families redeem their time. As a pastor’s wife, Lizette is uniquely qualified to answer dementia caregiving challenges from a Biblical perspective.

Lizette has almost 30 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist in a variety of settings, the latest being in the home health environment. Among her many accomplishments, she served on the South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association’s Board of Directors from 2008-2014. She enjoys teaching on the topic of dementia. You can tune into the podcast “Dementia Caregiving for Families” to learn more.

“Think Different” Dementia’s owner, Lizette Cloete, OTR/L graduated as an Occupational Therapist from the University of Pretoria in South Africa in 1992. She and her husband emigrated to the USA in 1993, and currently reside in South Carolina. They have 2 daughters and one son-in-love, 2 cats, one dog and many chickens.

Together, we’re discussing the difference between dementia coaching and skilled therapy, as well as how to know which professional is the right fit for you and your family.

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If you are or will be a family caregiver, this episode is for you! Did you know that over 53 million Americans provide unpaid care to a family member, often neglecting their own health and well-being? Many report high levels of stress and burnout. It's time we address the often-overlooked need for caregiver self-care. Today, we're exploring a trauma-sensitive approach to incorporating movement into your daily routine. Our guest will share practical strategies to help caregivers prioritize their own physical and mental well-being, even in the midst of their demanding roles.

This month we’re diving into the role of movement in daily self-care for family caregivers. To review this topic, I have the privilege of interviewing Janis Isaman.

As the founder of My Body Couture, a one-on-one private movement studio, Janis Isaman is a Trauma Sensitive Movement Specialist focused on providing customized, personalized body-focused services to clients with chronic pain, illness, injuries and other movement limitations.

She is a leader in approaching mental health and wellness from a body-first lens. Her trauma credentials include the Compassionate Inquiry® psychotherapy approach developed by Gabor Mate, Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY), Somatic Experiencing® International developed by Peter Levine and Trauma Research Foundations Traumatic Stress Certiicate Program with Bessel van der Kolk.

Some of her exercise, bodywork and movement certifications include STOTT Pilates, Yamuna® Body Rolling, Paul Grilley yin yoga, Leslie Kaminoff Principles and Practice, Rainbow Yoga and Critical Alignment (CA) Yoga and Therapy.

She has additional designations from Precision Nutrition and the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and has completed coursework in Forrest Yoga, Functional Synergy and Eat, Breathe, Thrive.

Janis is known for her whole-body approach to movement, focused on addressing the root cause of limitations and aesthetic concerns. Her practical, functional and discipline-agnostic approach blends physical and evidence-based mental health modalities into a relatable, innovative and effective body sustainability program. This approach offers clients education and usable tools and has changed how thousands have related to the experience of their own bodies.

Janis is a keynote speaker and has been a guest on over 250 podcasts since 2020. She is an award-winning writer for Elephant Journal and has been quoted as a health expert in Reader’s Digest, Prevention, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, Working Mother, Sparkpeople, MyFitnessPal and Beachbody.

She also leads professional teacher training to help other movement professionals gain certifications and to help studios add new modalities to their programming.

In her personal life, she is a mother and passionate community volunteer with the Calgary Stampede, 17th Avenue Business District, Heritage Park and Kids Up Front.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Alberta. Together, we’re discussing a trauma-sensitive approach to incorporating movement into your daily routine as a family caregiver.

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Did you know that 70% of Americans over 65 will need some form of long-term care? Yet, only 16% of adults have discussed long-term care with their loved ones. Money talks, but when it comes to long-term care, many families stay silent. Did you know that 53 million Americans are unpaid caregivers, with 61% of them juggling caregiving with employment? The financial strain is real, yet discussions about money and care often remain taboo. Today, we're breaking that silence with our guest who will share her unique perspective on how to open these crucial conversations about personal finance and long-term care, potentially saving families from financial and emotional stress down the road.

This month we’re diving into how and when to start the conversation re: LTC with your family. To review this topic, I have the privilege of interviewing Aaliyah Kissick.

Aaliyah is an American beauty queen, entrepreneur, and financial literacy advocate. She holds a Bachelor's of Science in Agricultural and Consumer Economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she completed her CFP education requirement. Currently, she is attending Gies College of Business for a Master's of Science in Management.

At 17 years old, Aaliyah started her small business with just $50 and a lot of imagination. Utilizing online resources and personal finance books, she transformed her life and developed a passion for personal finance. After studying the subject in college, she decided to give back by making conversations about money more accessible.

As Miss Illinois United States 2023, Aaliyah championed financial literacy, dedicating over 250 hours to community service in advocacy, information dissemination, and financial education for K-12 students. Moving beyond her year as Miss Illinois United States, she founded The Financial Literacy Diaries, a media company dedicated to closing the adult financial education gap. Additionally, Aaliyah is serving as Director of Public Relations at the Financial Literacy Foundation.

Together, we’re discussing personal finance and long-term care planning.

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Are you a planner or a procrastinator when it comes to preparing your home for aging in place? Did you know that nearly 90% of seniors want to stay in their own homes as they age, but only a third actually plan for it? With 77% of adults 50 and older wanting to remain in their homes for the long term, it's a question we all need to consider. Yet, many of us put off these crucial modifications until it's too late. Today, our guest will guide us through the when, why, and how of adapting our living spaces. From simple adjustments to major renovations, we'll explore the steps you can take now to ensure your home remains safe and comfortable as you age.

This month we’re diving into preparing your home for aging in place. To review this topic, I have the privilege of interviewing Dawn Heiderscheidt, MOT, OTR/L, CHAMP, ECHM, CAPS.

As a seasoned Occupational Therapist, Dawn is dedicated to helping people live safely in their current life roles and homes. She has transformed this passion into a successful consulting business by founding Aurora Independence. Dawn’s approach is client-centered and evidence-based, ensuring each project is tailored to the unique needs of her clients. She provides home safety and modification recommendations while advocating for proper accessibility at every stage of life to create a safe and comfortable living environment.

Her drive to support the Aging in Place market is deeply rooted in her personal experience caring for her parents, her professional background as a rehab specialist, and her own journey navigating healthcare spaces with her own chronic condition. Dawn shares her expertise and passion as a guest speaker on entrepreneurship at universities, as a national continuing education provider for both healthcare and remodeling professionals, and through various writing roles.

Dawn’s commitment to empowering independence is more than just a business—it’s a way of life. Together, we’re discussing how and when to start preparing your home for aging in place.

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Did you know that only 60% of seniors aged 65 and older use the internet, with many struggling to navigate the complexities of social media and online care platforms? In today's hyper-connected world, where 89% of American adults use the internet and 58% of WHO Member States have implemented digital health strategies, the ability to navigate online platforms is crucial, especially in healthcare. With the surge in telemedicine and health apps, patients and providers alike are facing new challenges in digital literacy. Our guest today will shed light on how we can bridge the digital divide and ensure safe, high-quality, patient-centered care in this increasingly digital landscape.

This month we’re diving into digital literacy! To review this topic, I have the privilege of interviewing Dr. Vikram Pagpatan, EdD, OTR/L, BCP, ATP, CLA, FAOTA, BCTS, BCCS, CAS.

Vik is an Assistant Professor and Admissions Coordinator for the SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University MSOT program in New York and has over 10 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist practicing through a lifespan approach with specialties in adult neurological disorders, congenital pediatric neuromotor conditions, and assistive technology focused seating/mobility services and augmentative and alternative communication platforms. Vik holds an AOTA Board Certification in Pediatrics (BCP), is a Certified Leader in Academia (CLA) through the AOTA, is an Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) from RESNA, and was named a Fellow (FAOTA) of the AOTA for his advocacy and leadership efforts for the profession. As a proud small business owner, Vik operates VPAT Solutions LLC, an assistive technology-focused consulting company that provides mobility, aging in place, and communication clinical and community-centered services for adults and children.

Together, we’re discussing topics related to social media use, safety, navigation of online care platforms, and the role of family caregivers.

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In this episode, Dr. Regina Asihene & I talk about assisted and skilled nursing facilities.

Dr. Asihene, MD is a highly accomplished specialist in internal medicine with a distinguished career spanning over three decades. She completed her medical degree at Morehouse School of Medicine and her residency at The Cambridge Hospital of Harvard Medical School. Dr. Asihene has extensive experience in primary care, hospice care, and medical education, having served in various roles including Medical Director at Mystic Health Center (now Mass Gen), as an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, and in the US Public Health Service in the Office of the Surgeon General. She has been recognized with numerous awards, such as the Vitas Healthcare Best of the Best Physician of the Year and Top 5% of America's Most Honored Professionals.

Currently, Dr. Asihene continues her dedication to patient care and medical excellence through her involvement with multiple professional organizations. Over the past six years, Dr. Asihene has created a unique 16-bed ALF in her hometown of Port Orange, FL. Her commitment to community health, coupled with her international medical mission work, highlights her passion for improving healthcare access and quality globally.

Together, we discuss ALFs vs SNFs, what they entail, how one qualifies, financing options, and the future of long-term care in the USA.

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