The Caregiver's Journey

By: Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster
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  • Summary

  • The Caregiver’s Journey podcast is an innovative and refreshing way to learn how to tackle day-to-day Alzheimer's and dementia family caregiving challenges with strength, patience, and peace of mind. Using practical tips and candid conversations, Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster help you navigate caregiving’s ups and downs, so you move from feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and sometimes frightened - to confident, balanced, and supported.
    2023 Sue Ryan Solutions
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Biographies & Memoirs Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Success Psychology Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • The Realities of Caregiver Self-Care

    The Realities of Caregiver Self-Care
    Jan 28 2025

    When you’re caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s or other type of dementia, you’ve probably heard countless times: “Don’t forget to take care of yourself.” While well-intentioned, this advice can feel overwhelming when you’re already juggling multiple responsibilities!

    Through our conversation with Elizabeth Miller, we’ve learned that effective self-care is about more than just general advice — it’s about finding practical, sustainable ways to maintain your own wellbeing while caring for others.


    Connect with us and share your tips:

    • Website: https://www.thecaregiversjourney.com
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaregiversJourneys/
    • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/
    • Email: sue@thecaregiversjourney.com, nancy@thecaregiversjourney.com

    Full Show Notes

    https://thecaregiversjourney.com/the-realities-of-caregiver-self-care-four-essential-tips-alzheimers-and-other-dementias/


    Additional Resources Mentioned

    Happy Healthy Caregiver website here

    20 for 2025 Funsheet here

    Self-Care at Sea cruise here

    Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast here

    Just for You daily journal here


    Takeaways

    Tip 1: Give Yourself Permission


    One of the biggest barriers to self-care is the guilt that comes with taking time for yourself. Many caregivers feel it's selfish to focus on their own needs when their care recipient is struggling.


    Tip 2: Think Broadly About Self-Care


    Self-care encompasses much more than just physical health. Elizabeth identifies eight key categories:

    - Practical self-care (like organizing your desk)

    - Emotional self-care (therapy, journaling)

    - Social self-care (connecting with others)

    - Spiritual self-care (following your spiritual path)

    - Intellectual self-care (learning new things)

    - Financial self-care (budgeting, planning)

    - Professional self-care (career development)

    - Physical self-care (exercise, nutrition)


    Tip 3: Prioritize and Schedule Self-Care


    The best self-care strategy is simply putting it on your calendar. Elizabeth recommends creating a "20 for 25" list—twenty things you want to do this year that bring you joy, energy, or peace of mind. These can range from small activities like learning a new game to bigger plans like taking a vacation.


    Tip 4: Give Yourself Credit


    Instead of focusing solely on to-do lists, create a "ta-da" list celebrating what you're already doing right. Remember that self-care includes basic activities you're already doing:

    - Getting sleep

    - Preparing meals

    - Basic hygiene

    - Managing finances

    - Taking breaks



    Read More in This Blog here
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    24 mins
  • Are You Ready for an Emergency? Get a Plan!: Four Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

    Are You Ready for an Emergency? Get a Plan!: Four Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias
    Jan 14 2025

    When you’re caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, worries can keep you up at night — but they don’t help you. Through our conversation with Denise Brown, we’ve learned having a solid emergency plan helps calm your worries, reduce your fears, and provide you with peace of mind.


    Full Show Notes

    https://thecaregiversjourney.com/are-you-ready-for-an-emergency-get-a-plan-four-essential-tips-alzheimers-other-dementias/


    Additional Resources Mentioned

    Slides used in episode here

    Caring Our Way community here

    Family Emergency Plan space on Caring Our Way here

    Schedule of free planning sessions with consultant here


    Takeaways

    Tip 1: Name Your Worry


    The first step in creating an emergency plan is identifying specific concerns that keep you up at night. Denise's Family Emergency Plan includes eight categories of common caregiver worries:

    - Delays

    - Health emergencies

    - Hospitalizations

    - Behavioral challenges

    - Transportation issues

    - Medication management

    - Care coordination

    - Communication needs


    Tip 2: Develop Your Plan


    Once you've identified your concerns, it's time to create actionable plans. Remember that plans can take many forms:

    - Written instructions

    - Maps or diagrams

    - Medication lists

    - Contact information

    - Behavior management strategies

    - Transportation arrangements


    Tip 3: Communicate Your Plan


    Effective communication ensures everyone involved understands their role. Consider multiple methods of sharing information:

    - Written letters or emails

    - Shared online documents

    - In-person meetings

    - Physical copies in accessible locations

    - Regular updates and reminders


    Tip 4: Update Your Plan Regularly


    Emergency plans should evolve as circumstances change. Watch for these common triggers that signal the need for updates:

    - Changes in your care recipient's condition

    - New diagnoses or medications

    - Shifts in your own availability

    - Family member changes

    - Service provider updates

    - Transitions to palliative or hospice care


    About Our Guest Expert


    Denise Brown founded the Caring Our Way community to support family caregivers. The community offers free resources, including:

    - Monthly planning sessions

    - Family Care Manager course

    - Downloadable planning templates

    - Online support spaces

    - Access to certified caregiving consultants


    You can find these resources at caringourway.com.

    Read More in This Blog here
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    27 mins
  • Supporting Your Parent Through Their Caregiving Journey: Six Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

    Supporting Your Parent Through Their Caregiving Journey: Six Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias
    Dec 30 2024
    When a parent is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia and the other parent begins their caregiving journey, the dynamic between the caregiving parent and child shifts dramatically. Through our experiences and conversations with families navigating this transition, we've developed six essential tips to help you support your parent as they take on the role of primary caregiver. Connect with us and share your tips: Website: https://www.thecaregiversjourney.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaregiversJourneys/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/Email: sue@thecaregiversjourney.com, nancy@thecaregiversjourney.com Full Show Notes Takeaways Tip 1: Insert Yourself into the Journey The first step is making your presence and support known while respecting your parent’s role as primary caregiver. Key points: Increase visit frequency or phone callsPosition yourself to observe daily dynamicsAvoid judgment of decisionsListen more than adviseShow support without taking over Tip 2: Monitor Caregiver Health Ensuring your caregiving parent maintains their own health is crucial for sustainable care. Key points: Ask specific questions that can’t be answered with “I’m fine”Monitor medical appointmentsDiscuss challenges they’re facingWatch for signs of stress or exhaustionEncourage preventive health care Tip 3: Provide Emotional Support Help your parent maintain connections and avoid isolation while caregiving. Key points: Listen actively to what’s said and unsaidValidate feelings before offering solutionsMaintain normal conversations beyond caregivingEncourage outside activities and interestsHelp research support resources Tip 4: Share the Load Even from a distance, there are many ways to help manage caregiving responsibilities. Key points: Handle digital tasks remotelyCoordinate with local friends and familyCreate support networksHelp with scheduling and planning Tip 5: Participate in Care Details Get involved in both practical and legal aspects of care management. Key points: Obtain necessary legal documents earlySecure medical power of attorneyAddress privacy laws and documentationArrange financial access if neededSupport decision-making processes Tip 6: Support Through Grief Grief occurs throughout the journey, not just at its end. Key points: Acknowledge “drip grief” throughout the journeyHelp maintain connections during caregivingSupport through the final transitionAssist with post-care legal mattersBe sure to process your own grief Special Considerations When creating support systems: Develop emergency plans earlyCreate shared care plansDocument important informationKeep contact lists updatedMaintain flexibility in arrangements About Our Guest Expert This episode featured Andrew Phipps from Empathy Unbound, who shared his personal experience supporting his father as he cared for Andrew’s mother with dementia. Andrew created Empathy Unbound to promote the idea that empathy is one of our greatest superpowers — one that we often don’t recognize or use enough. As Andrew explains, “The ability to take on the experience or position of another to help understand them is invaluable. Putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes helps us understand their situation in a way we couldn’t otherwise.” You can find the Empathy Unbound podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Read More in This Blog here
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    28 mins

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