The Caregiving Soul
Empowered Us
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The Caregiving Soul podcast is a series of conversations about what it’s like to care for loved ones in need, how we can better navigate the relationship, and the physical, emotional, and logistical complications we encounter as partners in care.
https://empoweredus.org/the-caregiving-soul
Hosted by Dannelle LeBlanc
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
4 days ago
The Power of a Professional Healthcare Advocate
With over 10 years of medical experience in pediatrics, Dr. Nicole Rochester found herself on the other side of the doctor-patient relationship as a caregiver for her father. From this point of view, even as an experienced physician, Dr. Nicole began to see the difficulties of coordinating care and acting as an advocate on her father’s behalf. She knew she wasn’t alone in this struggle.
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Mar 20, 2023
Caregiving 24/7: Managing the Unexpected
Dannelle speaks with NPR journalist, Kitty Eisele. After commuting between houses to take her father to his to doctor’s appointments and prepare his meals, Kitty decided to move back into her childhood home to care for her father full time. What was expected to be a short-term solution turned into 3 years of living with her father before his passing in 2021. She found herself bewildered by the medical, legal, and emotional challenges of caregiving and documented it through an audio diary project, Twenty-Four Seven: A Podcast About Caregiving.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Mar 13, 2023
When Caregivers Care Too Much
Dannelle speaks with licensed clinical social worker, Jodi Taub, who specializes in working with clients and caregivers managing chronic illnesses and disabilities in both individual and group support settings. Her personal experience as a patient with her own chronic health conditions showed her the clear need for both emotional and mental support when navigating illness or being in a care partnership.
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Mar 6, 2023
Am I a Family Member or a Family Caregiver?
Dannelle speaks with Social Gerontologist, Dr. Macie Smith about all the various reasons why it can be so difficult to identify as a family caregiver and how we as a society can better recognize this role.
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Feb 27, 2023
Dementia - Life, Love and Laughter with Grams
Dannelle speaks with Kris McCabe about building a caregiving support network on social media. When Kris’s grandmother moved in with her six years ago, she had no idea sharing her care partnership online would garner over 500,000 TikTok followers, with some of her videos reaching 4 million views. What originally started as a platform for viral videos and dances, has now become a resource, support system, and lens into the life of caregivers all over the world.
About Kris McCabe
Kris McCabe is a 34-year-old full-time caregiver over the last 5 years for her 84-year-old grandmother Mary. Prior to being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Mary lived with different family members until it was decided that 24-hour care in a professional setting was the best way to meet her changing care needs. Except, it turns out that for Mary, it wasn’t. In 2017, Kris made the decision to move Mary into her Chicago apartment. Since then, Kris and Mary have collaborated on social media as Life With Grams, sharing insight into their journey together.
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Dec 27, 2022
Thank you for Season 1!
Thank you so much for listening to Season 1 of The Caregiving Soul.
I am so grateful to all of the guests this season, who vulnerably and courageously shared their stories and provided their guidance and expertise with us. Through them we have learned new ways to effectively communicate, seek help, and find resources on our caregiving journeys.
Some of my favorite conversations covered how to care for loved one with brain change, how to seek support and community, how to achieve independence through mobility modifications, and how to find joy in difficult moments. I’m hopeful that through your listening you gained some valuable insight and tools for your caregiving toolbox.
We are already hard at work planning up some very exciting ideas for Season 2, which will be launching in early 2023.
Until then, for more, empowering content to support the health of you, your loved ones, and your communities, visit empoweredus.org to check out our other podcasts and projects. Follow the Empowered Us community on Instagram @empoweredusnetwork and Twitter @empowereduspod to stay up to date with all podcast happenings and to connect with us.
A special thank you to the Empowered Us team and Good Days for their support as we hold these important conversations about what it is like to care for loved ones in need.
Empowered Us is a storytelling and resource hub led by Good Days, a national nonprofit that lifts the burdens of chronic illness through assistance, advocacy, and awareness. Visit MyGoodDays.org to learn more.
I look forward to continuing to learn and grow with all of you.
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Dec 26, 2022
Long Distance Caregiving
Dannelle speaks with Laura Smothers-Chu, the CEO and Founder of Befriended Heart. In this episode, Laura shares her story of long-distance caregiving for her father after his dementia diagnosis. You’ll learn about ways to be a care partner more effectively from a distance and how caregiving from afar can give unique insight in the journey. Time Stamps:
* 02:15 Laura’s 3 core values and how they connect to her caregiving experience
* 05:18 How Laura’s father’s dementia diagnosis changed her personal and professional life
* 09:47 Things that would have helped Laura better handle the challenges of long-distance caregiving
* 12:06 Ideas for long distance caregiving to make planning ahead easier for everyone
* 14:59 Laura’s experience “time traveling” with her Dad, in his dementia
* 20:05 Laura’s recommendations for better understanding your loved one and their care partner.
* 23:47 What makes long-distance caregiving unique
* 25:04 Laura’s 5 big tips for long-distance caregiving
* 27:24 Laura’s passions outside of caregiving
“I feel like long distance caregivers, because we had that emotional disconnect, that can actually be a strength because we're able to see the big picture.” - Laura Smothers-Chu
Takeaway Learnings:
1. Long-distance caregiving can be an opportunity for long term care planning with a bird's eye view. Your role can give you perspective to map things out outside of the overwhelm of daily care activities, which is incredibly helpful to not only prepare for what’s next, but provide practical support for a primary, hands-on caregiver.
2. Long-distance caregiving doesn’t mean you’re separated from the hard emotional experience or logistical challenges. It requires resources and support, and you’re deserving of that, just as a caregiver in closer proximity is.
3. Patience with ourselves, other care partners, and the person we care for is key. We can expect each person to process this experience in ways that may look different from our own.
Actionable Tips:
1. Consider doing research to learn more about a diagnosis. This can help us be more informed in making care decisions, and to better prepare for what’s next.
2. Try to work your way to finding acceptance for a loved one’s diagnosis helps make room to be more emotionally present and supportive.
3. Practice self-compassion. Regardless of the messages we may have internalized that say otherwise, it is a gift we can give to ourselves. We may need to remind ourselves that we’re doing the best we can.
About Laura Smothers-Chu:
Laura is the CEO and founder of Befriended Heart. In her work, she guides long distance caregivers managing dementia care from the early through late stages.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Dec 19, 2022
5 Factors for Choosing a Senior Living Community: Olia Davis Bonus Episode
In episode 12 of The Caregiving Soul, Dannelle speaks with Olia about empowering all family caregivers through easy access to resources and expertise in a peer-to-peer fashion.
In this bonus episode, Dannelle discusses 5 components of searching for a senior care community for a loved one.
1. The Community’s Reputation
* You want to know the reputation, licensing status, and other background information.
* You can also research online to check reviews and reach out to others whose loved ones live or have lived in an assisted care community. If researching online, be careful about providing personal information online to avoid being overwhelmed by marketing calls.
* To compare Medicare providers visit this medicare.gov link.
2. The Environment and Location of the Community
* Expect to tour to get a feel for the community.
* Keep alert for the energy and atmosphere, as well as cleanliness and upkeep.
* While not always possible, do your best to find a location within commuting distance for regular visits.
* Ask about the building’s safety procedures, particularly if it’s a memory care or continuing care community.
3. Eligibility and Cost
* Have a clear understanding of costs and the pricing system based on your loved one’s needed level of care. Request details in writing.
* Ask about the age and care restrictions.
* A care professional can also help identify and navigate eligible benefits including those earned by eligible veterans that can significantly reduce the cost of care.
4. Your Loved One’s Care Needs
* It’s important to consider not only what kind of care and housing options your loved one needs right now, but how their needs may change over time.
* Ask about the staff – what kind of training and support do those who provide daily care receive? Are there nurses and doctors on call? How is medication distributed? What does night staffing look like? What is staff to resident ratio?
5. Culture
* Ask yourself: What’s most important to your loved one about their environment and daily culture?
* For example, if they like to play mahjong, listen to Marvin Gaye, or only speak Spanish and no one in the community can relate or share those experiences, it’s likely not to be a good fit.
* Ask about events and activities.
* If there’s an opportunity, speak with current residents to see how they like living there.
* You may also consider asking the staff about how to introduce potential friends with similar interests.
Consider working with a certified senior advisor, a placement specialist, or another care professional who can provide detailed options based on your needs and preferences. Most reputable placement specialists will not charge a fee from you or your care partner because they're paid by the community. To find a placement specialist or certified senior advisor near you, check out our resources below.
About Olia Davis
Olia Davis is a Certified Senior Advisor with Oasis Senior Advisors based in McKinney, TX. Prior to working in senior advising, she had a career in telecommunications. As a Senior Living Advisor, Olia works with families to find the right senior living facility for their loved one.
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Dec 12, 2022
Transitioning to Senior Community Living
Dannelle speaks with Olia Davis, a Certified Senior Advisor. In this episode, Olia shares what we need to know about the difficult decision-making process of finding the right senior care facility for your loved one and the resources available to help make these decisions. Olia and Dannelle also talk about how to empower our seniors to take part in seeking out the right care community for them.
“When she moved her to a residential care home, now when she comes, she is spending time with her grandmother. She doesn't have to worry about all those other things... it's a completely different interaction. It's no longer task oriented. It's more emotional because all that stress and all those other things you have to worry about are gone.” - Olia Davis Timestamps
* 02:26 - Olia’s three core values and how they connect to working with older adults and caregiving
* 04:06 - Signs that a senior may need more help with care and possibly a community care living situation
* 07:05 - Having conversations with loved ones about moving to a senior living facility
* 10:19 - Finding the right community for your loved one
* 17:41 - Support for caregivers of seniors
* 20:36 - Options for affording care for seniors
* 24:21 - The benefits of long-term care facilities
* 26:48- What Olia is passionate about outside of her work with older adults and families
Takeaway Learnings
1) A hard decision, like moving a loved one to a care facility, begins with a conversation involving everyone concerned. Moving is known to be one of the most stressful life transitions. So, even when we make care decisions for someone who isn't independently capable, including them in the process whenever, and to the extent, possible helps make better choices and lessens the stress of transition.
2) Take time to understand the different options to make a more informed decision with your loved one, when possible, about what kind of community makes sense based on current and future level of care needs, cost, location, staff, and community policies, and other factors that may be important to your loved one's quality of life.
3) Consulting a senior care advisor can help narrow the field of best options that work for your situation with less stress. Actionable Tips
1) We can't always check in in person, so it's important to be aware of potential signs that a loved one needs more help if they live alone or have infrequent visitors. Some of those warning signs may include: weight loss, a change in hygiene habits, memory loss, unpaid bills, or unopened mail, and increased isolation.
2) The considerable cost of care is a key variable for most of us when choosing a senior community. It's important to fully review, as best we can, what financial resources and benefits may be available to help cover the cost of both in-home and community care, such as Veterans Aid and Attendance, long term care insurance, personal savings, or other resources. A good place to learn about financial options for long term care is paying for SeniorCare.com.
[00:46:00] 3) Navigating eligibility and applying for potential care benefits can be complicated. So, it's wise to seek guidance from a professional, like a financial advisor specializing in long-term care, a VA pensions manager, a benefits counselor at your local Area on Aging, or other long-term care professional.
About Olia Davis
Olia Davis is a Certified Senior Advisor with Oasis Senior Advisors based in McKinney, TX. Prior to working in senior advising, she had a career in telecommunications. As a Senior Living Advisor, Olia works with families to find the right senior living facility for their loved one.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Dec 5, 2022
Caregiving: Preparing for the Unknown with a Loved One
Dannelle speaks with Dr. Zev Minkoff, husband of Empowered Us’ Director, Eva Minkoff. In this episode, Zev shares insight into some possible ways to prepare for caregiving and how to best communicate with our loved ones. You’ll learn some of the tools he uses to stay present and centered when the uncertainty of caregiving feels overwhelming.
“We had a very intense, emotional conversation about what it looks like to be the spouse of somebody with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS)...Everything from how does taking care of the kids work? How does navigating the healthcare system work? How does being intimate work when you have a partner who gets injured easily?... I think that helped decrease my fear of the unknown”. - Dr. Zev Minkoff Timestamps
* 02:23 Zev’s three core values and how they connect to his caregiving experience
* 04:03 More about Eva’s diagnoses
* 06:19 How to advocate for loved ones to get a proper diagnosis
* 11:03 How to prepare to be a caregiver
* 16:39 Zev’s thoughts on Eva’s future and prognosis
* 21:06 How to help caregivers as a physician
* 23:04 How the healthcare system can support family caregivers
* 25:34 Zev’s passions outside of caregiving
Takeaway Learnings
1. Preparing for a care partnership is not something we’re taught how to do. Committing to an ongoing conversation about what works and doesn’t work for both care partners’ needs create opportunities to find solutions as care needs change.
2. Being in a care partnership takes courage. It’s important to find ways to be both compassionate and set personal boundaries when flare ups or moments of distress occur.
3. Strong care partnerships, whether professional or informal, are centered around communication. An essential part of effective communication for professional caregivers in particular is asking: “What questions do you have?”. When we’re dealing with the unknown, we can support caregivers by creating an environment that normalizes questions and demonstrates empathy. Actionable Tips
1. No one wants to react to an emotionally charged situation in a way we later regret. Dr. Zev described using the count down from 10 technique to take a moment before reacting. Taking a pause gives us time to respond with our best selves.
2. The stressors of caregiving mean that we need to stay tuned in to our mental health. In addition to professional therapy, it’s important to know we have no or low-cost options as well. Using a meditation app as part of our self-care routine, making sure we’ve got the number for a crisis or support organization, like those available through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or the Caregiver Action Network, and checking in with a caregiving support group are a few ways we can prepare to take care of our mental and emotional health.
3. When in situations with so many variables outside of our control, prepare as best you can for the unexpected to stay more flexible, like packing an extra bag with supplies you can’t otherwise easily access, planning extra time for travel, using a mobility device or private transportation if feasible, and of course, don’t forget the extra snacks and water.
About Dr. Zev Minkoff
Dr. Zev Minkoff is an outgoing, double board-certified Pediatric Gastroenterologist and the husband of Empowered Us’ Eva Minkoff. Eva has been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Zev’s background in medicine gives him an understanding of the medical system and a different perspective in anticipating being a future primary caregiver for his wife.
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Nov 28, 2022
Caregiver Support Groups: Shaikha Alothman Bonus Episode
In episode 10 of The Caregiving Soul, Dannelle speaks with Shaikha Alothman about empowering all family caregivers through easy access to resources and expertise in a peer-to-peer fashion.
In this bonus episode, Dannelle discusses the difference it makes to keep company with others in spaces that support caregivers.
Our work as care partners requires learning how to manage intense and ongoing stressors we’re often unfamiliar with.
Working through these challenges can make us feel so isolated from the rest of our world. One of the primary benefits of finding a support community we feel comfortable in is the connection with others who understand and help normalize the complexity of emotions and experiences that are part of our journey. And it’s not just an ambiguous improvement in how we deal with the worries and stress.
According to the National Institutes of Health, studies have shown that programs that support caregivers can improve the quality of life of both the care…
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Nov 21, 2022
Minisode 2: Seeking Therapeutic Support While Caregiving
In this mini-sode, Dannelle speaks with Kylie Walker about some of the reasons to seek out therapeutic support as a caregiver. You’ll learn how to name some of the difficult emotions we experience and how to emotionally support caregivers in your life.
About Kylie Walker
Kylie Walker is a licensed clinical social worker in the Dallas, TX area. She is skilled in treating anxiety, depression, and adjustment to life events, including grief and loss, chronic illness and pain, and caregiver stress. In her role as a therapist in private practice she has been able to provide emotional support to clients as they provide care for their loved ones. She has also had her own experience as a caregiver for her parents, which allows her to work with her clients from a place of personal experience.
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Nov 14, 2022
Minisode 1: Tools and Strategies for Sustainable Caregiving
In this mini-sode, Dannelle speaks with Theresa Wilbanks about some of the strategies she used to alleviate caregiving stress. You’ll learn some helpful and simple tools to integrate into your caregiving wellness routine.
About Theresa Wilbanks
Theresa Wilbanks cared for her father until his passing at 99 years of age. During that time, she experienced the raging river of emotions that comes with caring for a family member. Overwhelmed and drowning, she navigated toward a more sustainable caregiving experience. Theresa founded Sustainable Caregiving and works with fellow family caregivers to help them navigate their caregiving journey. With humor and vulnerability, Theresa shares her story and strategies in her book, Navigating the Caregiver River: A Journey to Sustainable Caregiving.
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Nov 7, 2022
Innovating How Caregiving Integrates into Healthcare
Dannelle speaks with Shaika Alothman about empowering all family caregivers through easy access to resources and expertise in a peer-to-peer fashion. You’ll learn about why current and former caregivers can be a great resource to others in a similar position and how the future of caregiving can be a place of innovation and connection.
“I want to communicate through my work to family caregivers that you actually matter, and your expertise is actually valued. We can see the weight that you bring to the table.” – Shaikha Alothman
Timestamps
* 02:47 How Shaikha got into caregiving and research
* 05:44 Why some caregivers have a hard time identifying themselves as caregivers
* 09:14 Shaikha’s 3 core values and how they connect to caregiving
* 12:49 How family caregivers are an asset to the healthcare system
* 14:01 Shaikha’s research on caregiving
* 18:34 How Shaikha started support groups for caregivers
* 21:11 How Shaikha’s work was abl…
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Oct 31, 2022
National Family Caregiving Month
November is National Family Caregivers Month: a time to recognize, reflect, and honor the work and value of caring for one another
In addition to our full-length episodes, we'll be releasing minisodes with strategies and resources that may be helpful in your caregiving journey. This month, our guests will share their stories, giving insight into what empowerment looks like in their caregiving experiences.
Whether you're helping someone with daily needs and activities, managing paperwork and bills, or providing emotional support, the work you do is the heart of what it means to value human dignity. You deserve support and care in this work.
We hope you'll share this month's episodes of The Caregiving Soul with friends, or listen as a group - to help energize your conversations, inspire new perspectives, and encourage one another as we all learn to better care for our loved ones and ourselves.
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Oct 31, 2022
4 Steps to Initiate Life Planning Conversations: C. Grace Whiting Bonus Episode
In episode 9 of The Caregiving Soul, Dannelle speaks with C. Grace Whiting about initiating difficult conversations about your medical needs and planning for later in life.
Based on the work of The Conversation Project, which is an organization that helps people talk about their wishes for care through the end of life, as well as based on our own experiences, we know these discussions can be very difficult and overwhelming to initiate and to receive. So, let's go through it in steps.
_Step One_: Think about what matters.
Start with good questions, which may include, “What does a good day look like?” Is it quality time with loved ones or doing certain activities or even creating a certain environment? This helps us to better understand how our loved ones would like to spend their day.
We can also ask, “What does support look like in hard times?” Is it going to your place of worship or spending time with family or friends? The answer can help give insight into what…
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Oct 24, 2022
How Legal Documentation Helps Prepare for Hard Decisions
Dannelle speaks with C. Grace Whiting about some of the reasons to consider working with an elder or special needs attorney and how advanced planning can help alleviate future caregiving stress. You’ll learn some tangible steps to plan for your care effectively and how legal support can prevent unanticipated problems.
“That's where I feel like an elder law attorney or special needs lawyer comes in, because one of the things that makes them unique is unlike other areas of law - divorce, employment law - you don't go to an elder law attorney or a special needs lawyer just for one thing, you go to them and they look at the whole situation and they think about how does everything interrelate?” – C. Grace Whiting
Timestamps
* 02:15 Grace’s personal and professional background in caregiving
* 03:33 Grace’s 3 core values and how they connect to her professional roles
* 06:52 The importance of an elder law attorney and Grace’s work with NAELA
* 09:32 Educat…
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Oct 17, 2022
Managing All Aspects of Caregiving Through Technology
Dannelle speaks with Carl Hirschman, the Founder of Caretree. In this episode, Carl shares how he created a centralized platform to communicate, store and document a loved one’s information. You’ll learn about ways to utilize and adapt technology to reduce logistical stress and better organize a care team.
“Emergencies don't happen conveniently. You're not able to run home and then find that manila folder that has the advanced directives and everything that you need. You need it right now. To be able to have that at their fingertips, and to know that it's there, and whoever may need it, they can get it, too. That, I think, provides the biggest peace of mind for both the families and the professionals” – Carl Hirschman
Timestamps
* 02:14 - Carl’s 3 core values and how they connect to caregiving
* 06:50 - How Carl’s personal/professional experience led to the development of CareTree
* 09:42 - Benefits of using technology for care partners
* 12:07 - Ho…
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Oct 10, 2022
Reframing Grief: Shanae Rhodes Bonus Episode
In episode 6 of The Caregiving Soul, Dannelle speaks with Shanae Rhodes about the feelings of loss and grief when caring for a loved one who is experiencing brain change.
Grief is complex, messy, and rarely a linear experience. When caring for a person with dementia, it feels like we are mourning the person they used to be. As their dementia progresses, we may have a variety of phases of grieving including denial, frustration, anger, guilt, sadness, and finally acceptance. These phases rarely happen in any particular order.
Being open with yourself about your grief and feeling those emotions fully can be so difficult, especially with everything else going on. But it is the first step toward processing these complex feelings and taking ownership of your grieving experience. If you have the opportunity, seek out a support group or therapist.
The frustration of managing this disease and the influx of emotions understandably distracts focus from connecting with our loved one as a person…
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Oct 3, 2022
Dementia Care in African American Families
Dannelle speaks with Shanae Rhodes about how she was introduced to dementia care as a nurse and her research findings for both African American caregivers and dementia caregivers in general. You’ll learn some tangible steps to providing better care for dementia patients and better self-care practices as care partners.
“I love the saying that if you see something wrong, but you don’t do anything about it, you’re just as guilty as the person who is causing the issue. And so, I feel like that’s the same thing in this situation is that if we just sit back and don’t do anything about it, we’re part of the problem, when we should be part of the solution.” - Shanae Rhodes
Timestamps
* 02:24 Shanae’s 3 core values and how they connect to her caregiving work
* 04:48 Shanae’s research studies on caregiving experiences of African American women
* 09:30 Dr. Woods-Giscombé’s study on the superwoman schema
* 14:38 Access to training for dementia caregi…
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Sep 26, 2022
Square Breathing for Self-Calming: Shirley Riga Bonus Episode
In episode 6 of The Caregiving Soul, Dannelle speaks with Shirley Riga about some helpful strategies and tools she learned to manage fear and anxiety while dealing with uncertainty and loss.
One of the tools covered was Square Breathing - a self-regulating tool that Shirley highly recommends. In this bonus mini-episode, we dive into the what, the why, and the how of Square Breathing so that you can apply it to your life as it makes sense.
What is Square Breathing?
Square breathing, also called Box Breathing, is a breath-based, self-calming tool taught to United States Navy SEALS to manage overwhelming situations. It is a tried and true method that can be so helpful in a variety of scenarios.
The Square Breathing technique originates from the yogic practice of pranayama or focusing on the breath.
The reason for its common name, Box Breathing is because a square has four sides, which are represented by the breath – four counts to breathe in, four counts of holding your b…
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Sep 19, 2022
Surviving the Traumatic Journey of Caring For and Losing a Chronically Ill Child
Dannelle speaks with Shirley Riga about surviving a traumatic journey caring for a child with chronic illness. You’ll learn about some of the helpful strategies and tools she learned to manage fear and anxiety while dealing with uncertainty and loss.
“I've learned a lot. That's why I call my daughter my teacher. I didn't know I was in a classroom. I had no idea, but what I have learned about myself continues to grow.” - Shirley Riga
Timestamps
* 02:37 Shirley’s 3 core values and how they relate to her life and caregiving experience
* 03:25 How Shirley’s core values have changed over time
* 06:01 Shirley’s experience when she first learned of her daughter’s diagnosis
* 10:34 Shirley’s coping tools for grief
* 12:57 Square breathing and other techniques Shirley learned in therapy
* 15:51 Scripts Shirley used for discussing how she and her daughter were doing with acquaintances
* 19:31 More tools that helped Shirley
* 23:23 Reparentin…
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Sep 6, 2022
Recreating a Relationship Impacted by Dementia Using Creativity and Humor
Dannelle speaks with @MomOfMyMom creator, Jacquelyn Revere. In this episode, Jacquelyn shares about the recent and sudden loss of her mother and how she is learning to grieve while still engaging with her social media community. Dannelle and Jacquelyn discuss the importance of creating communities for care partners, the “in flux” period we experience after our loved one passes, and finding opportunities for joy in difficult moments.
“I am saying harsh things to people that I love. I'm not showing up sometimes as the person that I wanna be. And I know it's coming from a place of hurt, but I also am like trying to say, “look, you caused harm and it's because you’re feeling harmed and/or in pain and/or hurt. Do what you can to rectify that, but also don't continue shaming yourself also. That's been like really important for me lately. Just like, giving myself as much grace as I can.” - Jacquelyn Revere
Timestamps
* 03:29 Jacquelyn’s recent decision about h…
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Aug 1, 2022
Supporting Independence with Mobility and Home Modifications
Dannelle speaks with occupational therapist, Emilia Bourland. In this episode, Emilia shares how we can reframe our approach to using mobility aides as tools of support and independence and how care partners should communicate needs and concerns for our own health and safety. Dannelle and Emilia discuss the importance of acknowledging our loved one’s fear of loss of independence and why support systems are essential to gaining the most effective tools and information as a caregiver.
“The way might not look like we think it should look or like it used to look, but when we open up our mind to the possibilities, when we stay open-minded as to how something can happen, it's limitless.” - Emilia Bourland
Timestamps
* 03:31 Emilia’s three core values and how they connect to occupational therapy and caregiving
* 07:43 Educating people on caregiving by explaining the “how” and the “why”
* 10:07 How occupational therapists help with safety
* 13:21 An exa…
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Jul 5, 2022
Finding Connection and Support as a Young Caregiver
Dannelle speaks with Jenn Chan, CEO & Founder of the Senior Shower® Project. In this episode, Jenn shares her story of caring for her grandmother as a young adult and how her caregiving experience has deeply informed her current work. You’ll learn about compassion fatigue and caregiver burnout, as well as how to celebrate and support caregivers. Jenn and Dannelle also discuss seeking out spaces and connecting with others who are in a similar caregiving position to help you feel supported.
“The dynamic of who your loved one used to be - do you want to hold on to that or do you want to let that go and do you want to be present? It's your time, make the best choice of the time that you have, and all your feelings are valid.” – Jenn Chan
Timestamps
* 3:02 Jenn’s 3 core values
* 7:56 Caregiving as a young adult compared to an older age group
* 10:37 The best resources for younger caregivers
* 13:35 What is anticipatory grief?
* 17:45 How did Jenn come up…
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Jun 6, 2022
Shining A Positive Light on Neurodegenerative Care
Dannelle speaks with Teepa Snow, founder of the Positive Approach® care technique.
In this episode, you’ll hear from Teepa about her experience guiding caregivers and patients of all ages, specializing in neuro-degenerative care. You’ll learn about the specific challenges we face as care partners for those with neurodegenerative conditions. Teepa and Dannelle will also discuss how the words and physical language we choose can help develop a more compassionate relationship and how we can be part of changing the culture of care for people with neurodiversity.
“...I talk a lot about dancing with your partner because I think you have to learn the steps of their dance first, and then you invite them into a slightly different dance.” - Teepa Snow
Timestamps
* 03:13 Teepa’s core values
* 05:47 Compassion fatigue in dementia care
* 08:23 Reframing thinking about caregiving
* 10:48 Different types of “language” to communicate with loved ones with dementi…
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May 10, 2022
A Mother’s Caregiving Legacy as Reflected by Her Children
Dannelle speaks with her sisters, Lena and Angela Banks! In this episode, Dannelle and her sisters discuss their mother’s experience as a caregiver for their grandmother and how her journals have given them insight into her experience. You’ll learn about the traditions of family caregiving and how we can better recognize and support caregivers. Lena, Angela, and Dannelle also discuss self-care through knowing our own limits as a means of reducing burnout or health issues.
“When it comes to caregiving, it is difficult and it is hard, but there is joy also to be found in serving others and knowing that because you were there you made someone's life better.” - Angela Banks
Timestamps
* 03:29 Lena and Angela’s core values
* 06:13 Lena and Angela’s feelings about their mom’s caregiving
* 09:54 Tips for caregivers
* 13:24 The value of journaling for caregivers
* 16:57 Their mom's passions outside of caregiving
Takeaway Learnings
* The unspoken…
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Apr 13, 2022
The Caregiving Soul: The Trailer
The Caregiving Soul podcast is a series of conversations about what it’s like to care for loved ones in need, and how we can better navigate the relationship, physical, emotional, and logistical complications we encounter as partners in family care.
On this show, Dannelle will be speaking with a variety of guests, including but definitely not limited to caregiving experts, thought leaders, and day-to-day caregivers like us.
About Dannelle Leblanc
Dannelle LeBlanc is a Certified Senior Advisor and Caregiving Consultant who loves to help others persevere and grow through difficult life experiences. She blends 20+ years of professional experience in chronic illness and aging-related services with her lived experiences as a caregiver to help individuals and organizations navigate the challenges of family caregiving.
Dannelle is the founder and owner of Caregiver Transitions LLC, a grant award recipient of the North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging to deliver tr…
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