The Caregiving Soul
Empowered Us
Subscribe
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
Jul 10, 2023
Thank you for Season 2!
Thank you so much for another wonderful season! As we're wrapping up season two, I'd like to extend a big thank you for joining us in some difficult but critical, encouraging, and always hope-filled conversations.
Throughout this season, we learned from the lived experiences of care partners and experts who shared really eye-opening insights into the impact on our close relationships and how we can work our way through hard conversations and unexpected caregiving challenges with our sanity intact.
I hope the stories and perspectives shared by our incredible guests make a positive difference that we know won't make the mountain any smaller, but gives you some provision, ideas, and faith to sustain you to the other side of your caregiving journey. They certainly have for me.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
Jul 3, 2023
AMA: Dementia Care with a Speech Therapist
Caring for a loved one going through brain change can be overwhelming, with daily tasks often met with difficulty and frustration. In our very first “Ask Me Anything (AMA)” episode, Speech language pathologist and dementia educator, Adria Thompson, shares the importance of focusing on what brings joy and purpose to our loved ones, making daily tasks more meaningful and motivating for them. With her extensive experience, Adria has shared a number of ways to lean into their interests and passions, personalizing the approach to their unique needs.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
Jun 26, 2023
Unleashing Independence: Service Dogs By Your Side
In last week’s episode we explored how service dogs are trained and matched to their owners’ unique needs. From chronic illness to other medical needs, service dogs possess the incredible ability to provide vital assistance and unwavering support to their human partners. Not only do they bring a sense of companionship, but can also serve as an invaluable lifeline on a person’s care team. This week, chronic illness and disability advocate Cienna Ditri sheds light on the immense impact that her service dogs, Piper and Pamina have had on her day-to-day life, independence, and medical safety.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
Jun 20, 2023
Canine Caregivers
This unique episode explores the companionship and care that service animals can provide for their owners. Today Dannelle speaks with Client Services Manager Aubree Wright and Client turned Instructor Assistant Makenzie McGuire from Canine Companions, a national organization that's making a huge impact in the lives of people with a variety of needs and abilities by providing highly trained service dogs at no charge to the recipient. These amazing dogs go beyond the companionship that pets provide. From opening doors and picking up dropped items, to emotional support and helping to reduce stress and anxiety, service dogs can help their owners live more independent and fulfilling lives.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
Jun 12, 2023
In Sickness and in Health: Marriage and Caregiving
Dannelle speaks with Liz Earnshaw, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, who is here to share her invaluable insights and top tips for fostering meaningful connections while caring for others. When we find ourselves deeply involved in the responsibilities of caregiving, it's not uncommon for us to go into survival mode. This can pose a challenge when it comes to connecting with others, particularly our spouse or intimate partner. On top of the daily tasks of being in a care partnership, we must also prioritize maintaining a strong connection and nurturing our relationships. Without awareness, our intimate partnerships can unfortunately become breeding grounds for resentment.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
Jun 5, 2023
When Marriage is Hijacked by Illness
Dannelle speaks with Terri Corcoran, who married her husband when he was 64. Terri’s story shows the heartbreak of a marriage hijacked by illness, in her case with the added devastation caused by an undiagnosed disease as it was for her husband. Terri had to navigate the loneliness in her marriage as his advocate and caregiver but finding support through Well Spouse saved her.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
May 30, 2023
The Loss of Future Plans: Caring for a Spouse
LeAnn Specht and her husband Jeff's love story took an unexpected turn when some of Jeff's cognitive behaviors started to shift. What they thought was stress, slowly progressed into a formal diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's. As Jeff's full-time care partner, LeAnn documents their journey on TikTok as @alzheimerstips, providing valuable insights and tips from the unique perspective of being husband and wife, as well as the ups and downs of being in a care partnership. While grieving the future that they will be unable to have, LeAnn remains focused on normalizing the present moment and meeting him where he is.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
May 22, 2023
Compassion Fatigue: Recognizing the Symptoms
Dannelle speaks with Patricia Smith, the Founder of the Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project and Healthy Caregiving, LLC. After being asked to lead a training on compassion fatigue by the Humane Society early in her career, she found she herself suffered from high levels of compassion fatigue, sending her on a path to educate herself and others on how to best manage symptoms while maintaining focus on care for others.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
May 15, 2023
Building Health, Wealth, and Equity for Family Caregivers
Dannelle speaks with Jason Resendez, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC), where he leads research, policy, and innovation initiatives to build health, wealth, and equity for America’s 53 million family caregivers. On this episode, we are exploring how organizations can impact the infrastructure of care in the United States on the national level. As more people become aware of the importance and challenges of family caregiving, there is a higher demand for better support and resources for people in care partnerships. By bringing family caregiving into the public consciousness, policymakers, and organizations such as NAC can begin to create meaningful change that improves the lives of caregivers and those they care for.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
May 8, 2023
Confessions of a 20-Year-Old Caregiver
Jasmine Ereaux always knew she wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. What she didn’t expect was the strong bond she would build with Margaret, a resident at an assisted living facility where she worked. Jasmine is now Margaret’s in-home caregiver and shares her unique experience as a young professional caregiver on TikTok. While she and Margaret have an 80-year age gap, she is able to find so many similarities between them. Jasmine truly cares for Margaret’s dignity and focuses not only on her healthcare needs, but also on her appearance and personhood. Jasmine shows us that there is a difference between caring and administering care.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
May 1, 2023
Name It to Tame It: Helping Kids Handle Big Feelings
Jamie Roberts, founder of Equilibrium Counseling Services, shares about her decision to become a therapist, which stems from her own personal experience of struggling with mental health as a teen. She realized that she wanted to provide support and guidance to others in hopes that they would gain the tools to navigate difficult situations more mindfully. She and Dannelle discuss mindfulness, improving communication with your child, and what questions to ask when searching for a therapist.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
Apr 24, 2023
Raising a Competent Eater
As parents and caregivers, eating competence and how we react and respond to behaviors around food can be a major point of contention and frustration. Today Dannelle speaks with Keira Oseroff, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist who serves as a Faculty Member and Speaker for the Ellyn Satter Institute – an organization that helps thousands of parents, grandparents, children, teens, adults, and health professionals reimagine and reshape anxiety-infused relationships with food into joyful journeys of healthful well-being.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
Apr 17, 2023
The Mighty: How a Rare Disease Inspired a Powerful Digital Community
At the age of two, Mike and Sarah Porath’s oldest child, Annabel, was diagnosed with Dup15Q syndrome, a rare disease with symptoms including motor delays, varying levels of autism spectrum disorder, and epilepsy. Through relating with other parents who had children with the same disease, they began to feel supported and less alone. As they continued hearing these parents’ stories Mike and Sarah began to develop the idea of a platform that would allow others to connect around any health issue, which became the launchpad for The Mighty, an online health community of more than 4 million users sharing over 50.000 personal health stories.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
Apr 10, 2023
When Caregiving Ends
When Patti LaFleur’s mother, who had been diagnosed with dementia had to move in with her and her husband seemingly overnight, they didn’t know quite what to expect. When she began sharing their care partnership on TikTok as @CarepartnerPatti, Patti and her mother’s journey became a comfort and resource for others navigating similar experiences. Since her mother’s passing in 2022, Patti has refocused her energy on her own healing and providing resources about dementia and grief through her social media and website.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
Apr 4, 2023
The Chronic Disease Alliance presents a special National Minority Health Month virtual event
Today Dannelle talks about National Minority Health Month, an annual observance in April that raises awareness about health disparities that affect racial and ethnic minorities. The Chronic Disease Alliance is hosting a livestream event on Addressing Health Disparities this Thursday, April 6th at 1pm EST/10am PST. Register for the event here!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
Apr 3, 2023
Now What? Next Steps After an Alzheimer's Diagnosis
Dannelle speaks with Monica Moreno, Senior Director of Care and Support at the Alzheimer’s Association, about the importance of broadening our definition of communication to include touch, body language, and other forms of emotional connection beyond words. If we are able to acknowledge the idea that conversation is connection in the earlier stages of a diagnosis, we can be sure to understand what is most important to our loved one even when dementia related behaviors become a more primary form of communication.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
Mar 27, 2023
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
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.
playlist_add
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
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, sha…
playlist_add
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…
playlist_add
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…
playlist_add
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 po…
playlist_add
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:…
playlist_add
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 caregive…
playlist_add
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…
playlist_add
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
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…
playlist_add
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
playlist_add
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…
playlist_add
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…
playlist_add
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…
playlist_add
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…
playlist_add
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…
playlist_add
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…
playlist_add
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…
playlist_add
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…
playlist_add
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…
playlist_add
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…
playlist_add
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…
playlist_add
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…
playlist_add
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…
playlist_add