Caregiver's Compass: Recent Episodes
Stephanie Muskat
This is Caregiver's Compass. An uplifting, inspirational podcast talking about all things caregiving. Therapist Stephanie Muskat takes you through real-life caregiving stories from her own therapeutic experience and gives you the raw and personal on her own caregiving experiences as a young caregiver. Plus hear from tons of incredible experts and caregivers who are living through their day-to-day journeys. It's all here at Caregiver's Compass.
Death is one of the hardest things caregivers face - and one of the least talked about. In this episode of Caregiver's Compass, we sit down with Christa Ovenell, a community educator, funeral director, and end-of-life doula, to talk openly about death, dying, and the conversations we avoid until we can't anymore. Christa shares how she helps families demystify death, dispel common misconceptions, and approach end-of-life planning with more compassion and clarity - and less fear.
About Christa:
Community educator, funeral director, and end-of-life doula Christa Ovenell is the founder of Death’s Apprentice Education & Planning. Her heartfelt, practical approach to tackling difficult topics helps folks think about, talk about, and prepare for all aspects of life....even death. You can find her via her website www.deathsapprentice.ca or on Instagram @deathsapprentice.ca
Thank you to today’s sponsor, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. To learn more about AFTD please visit https://www.theaftd.org/
The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
**It's one of the most overlooked chapters in caregiving: the after. How do we rebuild a life once we've lost not only the person we cared for, but the role of caregiving itself? In today's episode, Stephanie opens up about this hidden, yet deeply important, phase of the caregiving experience.
Thank you to today’s sponsor, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. To learn more about AFTD please visit https://www.theaftd.org/**
The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
In this heartfelt conversation, Jacqueline Vong and her mother Olivia Vong share their journey through caregiving, cultural perceptions of dementia, and the importance of community and advocacy in aging gracefully. They highlight the challenges and joys of navigating dementia within a traditional Chinese family and emphasize the need to break stigma and open up conversations.
About Jacqueline Vong:
Jacqueline is the Founder and President of Playology International, a Toronto-based licensing, marketing, and brand management agency. A mother of two energetic children, Serena (9) and Camilo (7), Jacqueline is also a caregiver to her mother, Olivia, affectionately known as “Glammah
As a member of the “sandwich generation,” Jacqueline balances the demands of entrepreneurship, motherhood, and caregiving while navigating her mother’s dementia and changing health needs. Raised in a traditional Chinese family, she brings a unique perspective on cultural expectations surrounding filial responsibility, aging, and caregiving. Through her family’s journey, she has become a passionate advocate for compassionate care, intergenerational connection, and honest conversations about the realities of supporting loved ones through life’s transitions especially in the East Asian society.
About Olivia Vong (“Glammah”):
Olivia is a beloved mother, grandmother, caregiver for her older sister and great source of strength and wisdom for her family. At almost 90 years old, she has lived a remarkable life, raising her family with resilience, determination, and deep love. Today, as she navigates dementia and age-related health challenges while living independently in a seniors residence, Olivia continues to bring joy, good fashion, and perspective to those around her. Our family calls these moments “glimmers”
Known affectionately as “Glammah” by her grandchildren Serena and Camilo, she remains a cherished presence in their lives. Her journey reflects both the challenges and the beauty of aging, and the importance of family, dignity, and connection across generations.
Thank you to today’s sponsor, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. To learn more about AFTD please visit https://www.theaftd.org/
The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
**In today’s episode, Jessica Guthrie shares her inspiring journey as a young Black caregiver for her mother with Alzheimer's for over a decade, highlighting the challenges, systemic issues, and the importance of advocacy, authenticity, and community support.
About Jessica:**
Jessica C. Guthrie, M.Ed is a caregiving strategist, Alzheimer's advocate, and nationally recognized thought leader who has been the primary caregiver for her mother living with early-onset Alzheimer's disease for over 11 years. As a young, Black, millennial solo caregiver who began this journey at age 26, Jessica brings urgent visibility to demographics often overlooked in caregiving conversations. She is the founder of Jessica C. Guthrie Caregiving Consultancy and bridges lived caregiving experience with strategic leadership to help organizations move America's 63 million family caregivers from invisible to integral.
Her expertise has been featured in PBS documentaries, major publications, and policy forums from the United Nations to Capitol Hill. Through speaking engagements, strategic consulting, and educational workshops, Jessica transforms how organizations support caregivers—ensuring they move from being an afterthought to becoming integral partners in care. Jessica believes caregivers deserve more than sympathy. They deserve systems that work.
You can follow her journey on Instagram at Jessica_C_Guthrie or visit her website at JessicaCGuthrie.com.
Thank you to today’s sponsor, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. To learn more about AFTD please visit https://www.theaftd.org/
The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
In this conversation, Rebekah Gold shares her profound journey as a young carer, detailing her experiences supporting her father with a rare mental health condition and her mother with disabilities. She discusses the complexities of caregiving, the normalization of her family's struggles, and the challenges of navigating her identity as a young carer. Rebekah emphasizes the importance of understanding and support for young carers and the need for better representation of their experiences in society. In this conversation, Rebekah Gold shares her experiences as a young caregiver, discussing the challenges of communication during psychosis, the dynamics within her family, and the emotional toll of caregiving. She emphasizes the importance of advocacy for young carers and the need for systemic change to support them better. Rebekah also reflects on her struggles to seek mental health support and the complexities of her role within her family, highlighting the need for understanding and compassion in caregiving situations.
About Rebekah:
Rebekah Gold is a PhD candidate in Child and Youth Studies at Brock University. Her research is grounded in critical, participatory, and arts-based collaboration with young carers and their families, informed by her own lived wisdom as a young carer and advocate. Her community-based research work sits at the intersection of critical mental health, critical childhood studies, critical disability studies, storytelling, and care work. She is the Co-founder and National Council Lead of the Young Caregiver Council of Canada, an advocacy community of young carers across Canada, and a Research Affiliate at the Young Caregivers Association.
Young Caregivers Association: https://youngcaregivers.ca/Caregiver Grief Connexion: https://caregivergrief.com/
Thank you to today’s sponsor, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. To learn more about AFTD please visit https://www.theaftd.org/
The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
We are back for season 6!!! In this episode Stephanie sets the stage for the season to come and reflects on the past 5 years of Caregiver’s Compass.
The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
5) Episode 121: From caring for her mom with frontotemporal dementia, to creating a film and advocating to normalize the caregiving experience, with Katie Prentiss
4) Episode 136 : The Statistics Behind Caregiver Mental Health: You’re Not Alone
3) Episode 120: Guilt about moving someone to a facility when you promised them you would always keep them at ‘home’, with Susanne White
2) Episode 123: Talking all about ANGER and resentment in caregiving
1) Episode 128: All about the Association of Frontal Temporal Degeneration (AFTD) including what they do, who they help, and where they hope to go next, with Esther Kane and Debbie Elkins
We truly hope you enjoyed this season and we cannot wait to see you back here for season 6.
The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
On today’s episode, we are elated to welcome Renee Reina, host of The Mom Room **podcast (@themomroom) and content creator, to discuss her experience navigating care for her son Milo while experiencing her father’s cancer diagnosis and passing in early 2025. She very openly talks about learning about her father’s decision for Medical Assistance in Dying and experiencing the MAID process with him and as a parent of a young child.
About Renee Reina:**
Renee Reina is the host of The Mom Room **podcast (@themomroom), where she brings humour, honesty, and some sarcasm to conversations about motherhood, marriage, and modern life. Beyond the mic, she also creates relatable content that resonates with women everywhere on her personal account @thereneereina. She lives with her husband, their seven-year-old son, and two adorable Pomeranians in Ontario.
The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.**
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
Born blind, from a very young age, Elizabeth Mohler experienced the barriers and obstacles one with a disability can face in an ableist society. With lived experience as both a care recipient and a caregiver, Elizabeth shares her insightful perspectives on care and the education and changes she feels are instrumental in supporting a culture of accessibility.
About Elizabeth Mohler:
Elizabeth Mohler is a sibling care partner, researcher, and educator whose work bridges lived experience, scholarship, and advocacy. She is a PhD candidate in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Western University, where her research examines how autonomy, support, and care are represented within Ontario’s Direct Funding program. Drawing on critical disability studies and occupational science, Elizabeth explores how ideas of independence and productivity shape the lives and identities of disabled people and their care partners.
Elizabeth also works as a Pre-Employment Specialist at BALANCE for Blind Adults, supporting blind and partially sighted job seekers in building confidence, technology skills, and pathways to meaningful employment. In addition, she is a Family as Faculty member at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, contributing to the training of healthcare professionals and promoting more relational, family-centered approaches to care and research.
As a sibling care partner, Elizabeth understands care as a shared, interdependent practice—one that values reciprocity, creativity, and dignity. Across her academic, professional, and community work, she continues to advocate for inclusive and compassionate models of care that recognize families and disabled people as essential voices in shaping change.
The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
**Facing the loss of her mother in her 20s, Barri Leiner found herself experiencing the sudden shock of grief. Turning her pain and learning into purpose, Barri transformed her life and career into meaningful giving and support through The Memory Circle. In today’s episode, Barri shares the experience of losing both her parents and how she started and continues to support so many through The Memory Circle.
About Barri Leiner:**
Barri Leiner Grant is a highly respected grief specialist, author and founder of The Memory Circle, a creative and healing space for remembrance and ritual. Barri brings a distinct aesthetic sensibility to the field of grief work—bridging beauty and healing in ways that feel modern, personal, and deeply human.
She is the creator of Permission Granted, a widely read Substack newsletter that invites readers to navigate loss with honesty, tenderness, and earned wisdom. Barri is recognized for her unique approach to grief support, which combines storytelling, symbolism, and community to help people mark loss with intention and carry memories forward with care.
Sought after as a speaker, collaborator, and guide, Barri is redefining how we talk about grief—removing the shame and silence, and replacing it with permission, presence, and grace.
Her work has been featured in The Washington Post and Psychology Today and on award winning podcasts.
The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
Thank you to today's episode sponsor, Eugeria. Eugeria's Idem clock and the Idem Connected Pill Dispenser, are designed to reduce stress for caregivers and help older adults keep their independence and routines. To learn more about the Idem clock visit https://idem.care/pages/the-idem-smart-clock?utm_source=social+&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=compassionincaregiving and enter code COMPASSION10 for 10% off your purchase.
Elizabeth Marie Chambers shares her experiences as a muti-generational caregiver in today’s episode as she highlights caring for a child with complex medical needs, multiple children, and a parent. She details her breaking point in care and how she recognized the need to care for herself. She further highlights how she uses her experiences to drive change and advocate for shifts in the system and how others view ‘caregiving’.
About Elizabeth Marie Chambers:
Elizabeth Marie Chambers is a teacher, life long learner and the epitome of a (club)sandwich generation caregiver. Elizabeth and her husband care for her elderly mother who has Alzheimer's; their adult son with lifelong support needs, who spent his childhood as Elizabeth’s foster brother; their resilient teenage daughter; and their medically complex youngest son. Before becoming a Medical Mama and Knowledge Broker, Elizabeth was working at a national level organization leading professional learning for educators and school administrators.
After the traumatic birth of her youngest, which they barely survived, Elizabeth’s life followed a path to becoming involved in the field of childhood disability research. The experience with her youngest has involved over 300 days of inpatient hospital care, countless interactions with multidisciplinary healthcare teams, and daily engagement with disability support systems, which all profoundly informed her approach to research and community leadership.
Elizabeth’s passion for transformative family-centred practices began with a research study at CanChild Centre for Childhood-Onset Disability Research, based out of McMaster University, called ENVISAGE. This experience marked a pivotal shift in her trajectory from caregiver to research partner, advocate, facilitator, and leader. Since then, she has become devoted to sharing the ideas of family-centered care, strengths-based approaches, partnerships and advocacy at a local and international level. She feels honoured to now be a member of the International Leadership Team for ENVISAGE.
Elizabeth is also a Parent Partner and Co-Principle Investigator in several research projects; has chaired several advisory committees at her local children’s treatment centre; is a committee member and consultant for a new pediatric hospice build, a global speaker and a blogger at www.lightkeeperlife.com Elizabeth is deeply committed to creating inclusive, collaborative spaces in healthcare, education and research and is a fierce advocate, for her family, for other children, other elders, other caregivers and the service professionals who support them.
The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
**A very common sentiment we hear from caregivers is the loneliness and isolation felt as a result of misunderstandings between other family members or friends, the feeling that others don’t understand the caregiving perspective and feeling as though there is no one to share the day-to-day highs and lows with. In today’s episode, Stephanie invites her friend and fellow FTD daughter, Jacquelyn Shapiro, onto the podcast to discuss how their friendship formed, their thoughts on friendship in caregiving and how to find community at a time when you feel the most lonely.
About Jacquelyn:**
**Jackie first learned about AFTD in October 2020, when her mother was diagnosed with bvFTD and learned that the progranulin (GRN) mutation was the cause, despite there being no family history of dementia. Since then, Jackie has used the Instagram @ftdalovestory as a platform to educate others about FTD, advocate for caregivers and families, and discuss genetics and genetic testing. She has been featured in a caregiving documentary, interviews, and several podcasts, and works with researchers and pharmaceutical companies to educate their staff on FTD and how to work with families dealing with dementia. She is currently the New York Ambassador for the AFTD, and a CureGRN Champion.
The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.**
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
Having just started her career and life as a young mom, Katie Brandt’s entire world changed in an instant when her husband was diagnosed with FTD in his early 30s. The next several years, compounded by care for multiple family members in addition to her young son, threw her in the depths of ongoing crisis. But through her tremendous resiliency and learning, Katie has used her pain and story for change and tremendous ongoing advocacy in ways we often could not imagine.
About Katie:
Katie Brandt, MM is a global advocate, national dementia care expert and Director of Caregiver Support Services, Massachusetts General Hospital Frontotemporal Disorders Unit. As former Co-Chair of the US National Alzheimer’s Project Act Advisory Council, CEO of Katie Brandt Advocacy, and From Care to Cure podcast host, Katie harnesses the power of lived experience as a caregiver for her late husband and father to advance person-centered care, influence policy, and inspire hope that the cure of tomorrow is not so far from the care of today. Learn more about Katie’s story on her website; www.KatieBrandt.org .
Thank you to today's episode sponsor, Eugeria. Eugeria's Idem clock and the Idem Connected Pill Dispenser, are designed to reduce stress for caregivers and help older adults keep their independence and routines. To learn more about the Idem clock visit https://idem.care/pages/the-idem-smart-clock?utm_source=social+&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=compassionincaregiving and enter code COMPASSION10 for 10% off your purchase.
The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
We have heard about caregiving, we have heard about eldercare, but how often do you hear about working caregivers? This topic is JUST starting to come to the forefront, yet millions of caregivers have been balancing work and care for years and continue to on a daily basis.
In today’s episode, Christa Haanstra, lead for the working caregiver initiative at the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (an initiative by the Azrieli Foundation), joins Stephanie to talk about the statistics of working care, what we know to be true about caregivers in the workplace and how workplaces can do better to support their caregivers, most who are hidden. Christa also talks about the invaluable skills caregivers bring to their jobs and the reasons why caregivers choose to hide their roles at home.
This is an episode you do not want to miss!
About Christa Haanstra:
Christa has been a public voice in creating awareness of the role of
family caregivers in our society. She is a passionate spokesperson for
better identifying, recognizing, supporting and ultimately integrating caregivers as true partners with health and social care teams.
Christa is the lead for the Working Caregiver initiative at the Canadian Centre for Caregiving (CCCE) – a program of the Azrieli Foundation - and is the past co-chair of CCCE’s lived experience advisory panel: Caregivers CAN. Christa is also the Founder and Managing Director of 4C Strategy group, a company dedicated to advancing meaningful change by working with organizations to ensure lived experiences are at the heart of everything they do.
Find Christa:
https://www.4cstrategy.ca/our-team
https://canadiancaregiving.org/
The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
The person you care for has a daily routine or activities in their daily life they hope to continue to uphold, but yet when connected to a new home care agency or when in hospital, they are told they may have to modify or change how they approach their activities of daily life. How can these third parties tell you and the person you care for how to participate in activities of daily living and why is this important?
In today’s episode, Stephanie explores the background on why and how third parties can inform care in alternative settings or while using external services and what you can do about this approach to care.
The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
**Spencer Cline was only 7 years old when his father was first diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration (behavioural variant). From a very young age, he witnessed how profoundly this illness affected his father, mother, and entire family. Today, Spencer is a passionate advocate for FTD, dedicated to changing the narrative around the disease and supporting those impacted by it. He recently biked 3600+ miles across America to raise awareness about FTD and continues to speak publicly and educate others, driven by his commitment to help end this devastating illness.
In today's episode he talks about his profound experience of love, loss and change.**
About Spencer:
Spencer Cline became familiar with FTD at a very young age, as his father started exhibiting behavioral changes shortly after he was born. His dad was diagnosed with bvFTD when Spencer was seven years old, then was diagnosed with the C9orf72 genetic variant, which is linked to both FTD and ALS. After watching his dad fight the disease until he passed in 2012, Spencer developed a passion for spreading awareness in hopes to find a cure – a passion that has only grown with time. He has organized multiple fundraising/awareness events with the Babson College men’s basketball team, biked across the U.S. in support of FTD in 2024, and was Keynote Speaker at AFTD’s 2025 Hope Rising Benefit. He also serves as an AFTD Ambassador.
**Find Spencer on Instagram: @spencer_cline22
The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.**
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
**Vivian Stamatopoulos - advocate, professor, and long-time researcher in the field of caregiving and long-term care-joins the podcast to uncover the hidden truths about our long-term care system. Vivian shares what she realized during COVID about the nursing home crisis, where long-term care stands today, and the significant changes needed to improve care and shift the narrative for those living in nursing homes and the people who love them the most. This powerful conversation shines a light on what must happen to create a more positive and dignified future for long-term care.
About Vivian:**
Dr. Vivian Stamatopoulos is an Associate Teaching Professor at Ontario Tech University and one of Canada’s leading experts on family caregiving, child and youth-based caregiving (young carers) and long-term care. With a PhD in Sociology, her research focuses on the experiences of family caregivers (particularly young carers/caregivers) and the systemic challenges facing older adults in institutional care.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Stamatopoulos emerged as a nationally recognized advocate for long-term care reform. She became a prominent media commentator and policy voice, exposing the devastating impact of systemic neglect, inadequate staffing, and profit-driven models of care on vulnerable residents. Often referred to as a “long-term care crusader,” she has worked alongside families, legal advocates, and community organizations to push for meaningful change in elder care policy.
Her expertise has been sought by policymakers, parliamentary committees, and grassroots advocacy groups and beyond academia, she continues to amplify the voices of residents and families, insisting that dignity, transparency, and accountability must be at the center of Canada’s care system. For her scholarship and advocacy work, she has earned various recognitions, including KITE-UHN’s Paper of the Year Award (University Health Network), The Doris Anderson Award (Chatelaine Magazine), The Orville Thacker Award (Ontario Health Coalition), Health Hero (Best Health Magazine) and Vaccine Hero (Toronto Star).
**Find Dr. Vivian Stamatopoulos on X: https://x.com/drvivians?lang=en
The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.**
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
**Carla Velastegui began caring for her mother with Parkinson’s disease while still in high school, experiencing both the challenges and deep insights that caregiving can bring. In this episode, Carla shares how those early experiences shaped her life, her relationships, and her future. She discusses the ups and downs of her caregiving journey and how it inspired her career as a consultant working with organizations to adapt and implement technology to assist and transform the caregiving experience.
About Carla: Carla Velastegui is a healthcare technologist and long-term caregiver whose early caregiving experiences continue to shape her work in healthcare, technology, and policy. Since her teenage years, she has cared for her mother, diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s Disease in 2010. This perspective informs the systems and solutions she helps design, with a commitment to placing patients, caregivers, and their supporters at the center.**
Known for her deep understanding of healthcare and technology, Carla is a dedicated advocate, global speaker, and thought leader in the caregiver community. She has led digital health initiatives, advised on policy and innovation strategies, and worked across startups, government, healthcare, and research organizations. She serves on the boards of Acclaim Health and YWCA Hamilton and holds advisory roles with the Parkinson’s Foundation, Canada’s Drug Agency, and other healthcare and research organizations.
**Passionate about ethical, inclusive, and practical health technologies, Carla brings lived experience and professional expertise to conversations about caregiving, patient engagement, and equity, focusing on how AI and emerging technologies can help shape systems that reflect the realities of care.
Find Carla:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-velastegui/?originalSubdomain=ch**
**Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.**
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
**In this episode, we dive into the numbers behind caregiver mental health, sharing Canadian statistics that reveal just how many caregivers, including those who are working caregivers, face similar challenges. While it can often feel like you’re alone in your struggles, the truth is that far more people are experiencing the same difficulties than you may realize. Stephanie breaks down the facts to help you feel seen, supported, and connected in your caregiving journey.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:**
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
In this episode, Stephanie explores a common question caregivers face: Do I need to change my entire routine to feel better if I am overwhelmed as a caregiver? When self-care feels overwhelming or unattainable, is a complete lifestyle overhaul the only answer-or can small, realistic steps make a real difference? Stephanie shares insights on what truly helps when you’re feeling stretched thin, offering practical ideas to support your well-being without adding more pressure.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
Dr. Adrianna Shnall, program director at the Baycrest Kochinsky Centre, has been a social worker and clinician in the field of aging and caregiving for over 30 years. In today’s episode, she shares her top learnings in the field, what she feels is the most noteworthy in the area of aging and caregiver mental health today, and what may be on the horizon for caregivers in the future.
Dr. Adriana Shnall: , PhD, MSW, RSW, serves as the Program Director of the Koschitzky Centre for Innovations in Family Caregiving at Baycrest in Toronto. With over 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Shnall has made significant contributions to the field of gerontology, working with older adults and their families across various settings, including outpatient community services, long-term care, and inpatient services. Her extensive experience and dedication to improving the lives of older adults have earned her prestigious recognitions, such as the Baycrest Outstanding Innovations Award and the Stephen Herbert Award for Excellence in Education. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Shnall is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. She teaches graduate courses related to “Caregiving and Aging” and “Aging and Health” at the Factor- Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and at the Institute for Life Course and Aging. Dr. Shnall is also deeply involved in advocacy and community service. She is a board member of the Petro Canada CareMakers Foundation, which supports family caregivers, and the Ontario Caregiver Coalition and participates in numerous local, provincial, and national advocacy tables. Her involvement in these organizations demonstrates her commitment to influencing policy and improving support systems for caregivers and older adults on a broader scale.
A respected speaker, Dr. Shnall frequently presents on topics related to family caregiving, aging, and dementia. Her presentations are informed by her rich background in clinical practice, education, research, and leadership. By sharing her insights and experiences, she empowers healthcare providers, family caregivers, and the general public to enhance their quality of life and that of the individuals they care for. Dr. Shnall’s work is characterized by a seamless integration of clinical practice, education, research, and leadership. Her holistic approach ensures that she addresses the multifaceted needs of older adults and their families, providing comprehensive support and innovative solutions. Her dedication to the field of geriatric care and her numerous contributions make her a leading figure in the area of family caregiving and aging.
Through her ongoing efforts, Dr. Adriana Shnall continues to make a significant impact on the lives of older adults, their families, and the professionals who serve them, ensuring that the quality of care and support available to this population is continually enhanced and improved.
Find Adrianna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-adriana-shnall-phd-msw-rsw-88b8a4150/?originalSubdomain=ca
C-CART: https://c-cart.baycrest.org/
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
Many of us have had the conversation- we vow to keep the person we care for home forever; We will never move them to a facility or otherwise... And then one day, reality hits, and we face the fact that we may not be able to follow through on this promise that once seemed feasible.
In today’s episode, Jeanette Yates discusses how she navigated this exact situation with her own mother and what she learned in the process. She shares her experiences and learnings with listeners that are sure to leave you feeling validated, heard and understood.
About Jeanette:
Jeanette began caring for her mother at 8 years old. As a lifelong caregiver, she understands the challenges of balancing self-care with the demands of caring for others. She eventually discovered the power of prioritizing her own needs without sacrificing the care she provides to her loved ones. Jeanette started The Self-Caregiver to help caregivers take time for themselves, without being weighted down by guilt. Jeanette is the author of From Guilt To Good Enough: A Caregiver's Journey of Overcoming Burnout Through Healing Childhood Trauma. You can find her on Instagram (@theselfcaregiver), TikTok, and Substack (selfcaregiver.substack.com).
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
**Why would you even want to talk about or process the deep emotions? The painful thoughts or feelings that just feel too difficult to think about? In caregiving, isn’t it easier to just let these go and focus on the task of hand since things are already so stressful?
In today’s episode, Stephanie answers these questions and talks about why therapy can be so helpful for caregivers and why doing some of the hard work can lead to very positive benefits ongoing.**
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
In this episode, Stephanie shares some of the most memorable (frankly, ridiculous) things people have said to her while she was caring for her mother and following her mother’s passing.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
**Charles Morris has an incredible story, and we are so thankful he is sharing it on our podcast today. From not speaking to his mother for years, to forming a beautiful and meaningful relationship with her, to moving in with his parents and caring for them for years… And then a traumatic brain injury…. This is an episode you do not want to miss.
About Charles Morris:**
Charlie Morris was a full time live-in caregiver for his mother as she died from dementia and cancer, during the peak of the Covid pandemic. He has turned his journal entries from that time into a book and podcast titled "Us At Our Worst". Charlie currently lives in Iowa City, Iowa where he spends as much time outside as possible and bothers his two adult children by checking in with them way too often.
Find Charles Morris on instagram: @thevideoslab
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
Canada is in dire need of a national caregiving strategy. And on today’s episode, we welcome James Janeiro, director of policy and government relations at the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE), a program of the Azrieli Foundation, to discuss what he and the CCCE are tirelessly working on to make this dream a reality. If you have ever wondered how policies come into effect and what it takes behind the scenes to make this happen (and how a Canadian caregiver strategy may be closer than ever before) listen now!
About James:
James Janeiro is a public policy and advocacy professional with over a decade of experience in politics, policy and government relations. As director of policy and government relations at the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, James leads an ambitious national and pan-Canadian advocacy and policy development agenda focused on substantive and practical reform.
He began his career in the Ontario Public Service working on disability legislation. He then transitioned to the political policy space and served two successive Ontario ministers of community and social services as senior policy advisor on social assistance, poverty, disability, and veterans’ issues.
In 2014, James assumed a new role serving Premier Kathleen Wynne as her social policy advisor. In this position, he was responsible for a diverse array of policy areas, including poverty reduction, housing, the Basic Income Pilot, disability issues, autism services and municipal affairs. In 2018, James left government for a senior role in the not-for-profit sector. He was director of community engagement and policy at Community Living Toronto from 2018 to 2022. In this role, James developed and executed advocacy strategies focused on housing, income security, and service improvement.
He holds an honours BA in political science, history, and languages and a master’s in public policy from the University of Toronto. James lives in Toronto with his wife, dog and two cats.
Find the CCCE: https://canadiancaregiving.org/On instagram: @canadiancaregiving
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
In today’s episode, caregiver @debbieelkins , shares her story caring for her husband Chuck with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), and discusses how @theaftd supported her during both her caregiving journey, and provided her a sense of purpose through volunteer and advocacy. AFTD’s director of support and education, Esther Kane, also joins us on today’s insightful episode to discuss all that AFTD provides currently, how they support caregivers and those with an FTD diagnosis, and what may be on the horizon for the organization and the FTD landscape.
About Debbie Elkins:
Debbie Elkins is a care partner for her husband, Chuck, who is living with Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD), a proud mother of three daughters and a grandmother of six. She is deeply committed to advocacy and education, volunteering with The Association for
Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) as an Ambassador and support group leader, and serving as a voting member of the West Virginia State Dementia Task Force. Through her efforts, she strives to raise awareness, support affected families, and contribute to the development of a stronger, more informed future for those impacted by dementia. You can theaftdconnect with Debbie on Instagram @debbieelkins
About Esther Kane:
Esther Kane, MSN, RN-CDP, has been serving as the Director of Support and Education at AFTD since November 2020. With a rich background in dementia care, Esther previously held the position of Director of Nursing at several long-term care facilities specializing in the care of individuals with dementia. Her expertise in clinical dementia care, combined with her deep commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality care for those living with neurological conditions, drives her work at AFTD. Esther is dedicated to ensuring that every person affected by Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) has access to the support and care they need. She is also passionate about educating healthcare professionals to enhance diagnosis and care, underscoring the critical role of education and training throughout the entire process from diagnosis on.
Find the AFTD website here: https://www.theaftd.org/Find the AFTD on Instagram here: @theaftd
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
This is not commonly provided education so do not worry if this is all new or confusing! Most people are confused about powers of attorney, advanced directives and wills and why they can be extremely important/ what they can help with.
In today’s episode, Stephanie discusses her perspectives on having a power of attorney document and what she has seen in her personal life and in hospital and private practice when it comes to powers of attorney and advanced directives.
please note, Stephanie is not a lawyer and this episode does not represent legal advice. Please speak to a lawyer or other legal representative for your own power of attorneys and other legal matters
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
This is a common scenario- perhaps when there was an initial diagnosis, people showed up and offered support and over time they stopped coming as often or at all. Or maybe even at the time of diagnosis people did not visit.
Whatever the case may be, if you are finding that no one visits, this episode is for you.
Stephanie breaks down the most common reasons why people don’t visit, how you can communicate your wish for visitors with others and pave the way to continue visits ongoing.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
If you have ever faced navigating the healthcare system through a dementia diagnosis, you know the difficulties that can be faced. A confusing path to navigate, difficulties receiving diagnoses, often not knowing what comes next and staying up-to-date and confident in the way forward.
In today’s episode, we are pleased to welcome Dr. Saskia Sivananthan who shares her knowledge about how we approach dementia in our healthcare system, her organization The Brainwell Institute, and how we work on a more positive path forward for our aging population.
**About Dr. Saskia Sivananthan:
Dr. Saskia Sivananthan, an internationally recognized strategy and policy advisor on dementia care, is the co-founder and CEO of the Brainwell Institute – a nonprofit dementia policy think tank. She is also an Affiliate Professor at McGill University and health data scientist.**
Find Dr. Saskia and Brainwell on instagram: http://www.instagram.com/brainwell_instituteOn their website: https://brainwellinstitute.org
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
Caring for someone can add complexity and conflict in a romantic relationship. Whether your partner disagrees with your decisions and beliefs regarding caregiving or whether they feel you are not present for them the way you once were, this is for any caregiver experiencing changes in a romantic relationship.
Barry Jacobs and his wife Julie Mayer are clinical psychologists who specialize in family therapy and caregiving and provide their perspectives on different case examples in this enlightening episode.
About Barry: Barry J. Jacobs is a clinical psychologist, family therapist, and a Principal for Health Management Associates, a national health care consulting firm. A former magazine journalist, he is the author of The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers: Looking After Yourself and Your Family While Helping an Aging Parent (Guilford, 2006) and coauthor with his wife, Julia L. Mayer, PsyD, of AARP Meditations for Caregivers: Practical, Emotional, and Spiritual Support for You and Your Family (Hachette, 2016), AARP Love and Meaning After 50: The 10 Challenges to Great Relationships—and How to Overcome Them (Hachette, 2020), and The AARP Caregiver Answer Book (Guilford, 2025). He has also written a self-help column for caregivers for AARP.org since 2013. An honorary board member of the Well Spouse Association and a former director of behavioral sciences for the Crozer Health Family Medicine Residency in Springfield, PA, USA, he maintains a psychotherapy practice in Media, Pennsylvania, specializing in supporting individuals with chronic and serious illness and their caregivers.
Find Barry on X: @drbarryjjacobs
Find Barry and Julie’s new book, The AARP Caregiver Answer Book: https://www.amazon.com/AARP-Caregiver-Answer-Book/dp/1462557872
About Julie: Julie L. Mayer is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Media, Pennsylvania, who has specialized for three decades in helping women in caregiver roles, as well as those with troubled marriages and histories of sexual trauma. She is the author of the novel A Fleeting State of Mind (2014) and coauthor of AARP Meditations for Caregivers and AARP Love and Meaning After 50. She is a former president of the board of PSCP—The Psychology Network. Since 2016 she has cohosted the podcast Shrinks on Third on psychology and social justice.
Find Julie on X: @JuliaLMayer23
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
What leads to anger and resentment in caregiving and is there anything you can do to help prevent or mitigate these very intense, and sometimes overpowering, emotions?
Today Stephanie talks about what can commonly trigger feelings of anger and resentment in caregiving and provides some realistic strategies to help you through these emotions while caring for someone else. If you are sick and tired of yelling and snapping at others and feeling out of control- this episode is for you.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
Do you care for multiple family members or friends? Do you feel like you are not doing all you ultimately ‘should be’ doing given the limitations of caring for multiple people (plus potentially working and other responsibilities)? In today’s episode, Stephanie discusses this element of guilt and what happens & what you can do about being pulled in 3,4,5 or 90 different directions.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
After being thrust into the world of caregiving and caring for her mom with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Katie Prentiss saw the need to share the caregiver experience with others, both those who could relate or those who did not understand and could learn.
With her upcoming feature film, Wake up Maggie, Katie has made it her mission to bring caregiving to the forefront, inspiring other caregivers and raising awareness about the realities of caring for someone with FTD.
**About Katie Prentiss:
Two years after losing her mom to dementia at a young age, Katie began a career in acting with her role as Denise on Sophie Jones. Acting immediately became her passion and seemed to be the perfect culmination of her previous chapters in life - from English major, to mother, to portrait photographer, Katie has lived stories and loved people. Katie is most known for her roles as Beth in Winter Island and Sadie in Going Home, seasons 1 & 2. Her award winning films include Front Porches (2020 | Best Oregon Film, Best Actress) and a web series called Gamer (2022/2023 | Best of Oregon, Best micro short). She is currently working on her first feature film called Wake Up Maggie which is a love letter to her mom.**
Find Katie and learn more about Wake Up Maggie: https://www.katieprentiss.com/wake-up-maggieFind Katie on Instagram: @katieprentiss
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
In today’s episode, Stephanie speaks to Susanne White (Caregiver Warrior) about the one thing that brought her tremendous guilt for many years after the passing of her parents: transferring them to a facility after promising she would keep them at home. Susanne discusses the situation that led to this change in her caregiving path, and how she now views this decision and the lessons associated. This is a scenario so many caregivers face, and we are so grateful for Suzanne’s vulnerability and openness when discussing such a deep topic.
About Susanne White:
When faced with the opportunity to care for her parents,Susanne ventured out on a caregiving journey that would change her life.
She blogs about this journey on her website, caregiverwarrior.com, and shares her experience, strength, and hope with others so that they too may navigate caregiving with grace and empowerment.
Known for her unique, authentic style and wisdom from the inside of many caregiving journeys, she is an outstanding motivational keynote speaker, bestselling author, gifted writer, exceptional ERG webinar host, and thought leader in the caregiver advocacy community.
White’s latest book, Self-Care for Caregivers: A Practical Guide to Caring for You While You Care for Your Loved One, is now available at your favorite bookstores. Visit caregiverwarrior.com for more information.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
Have you ever had your caregiving or involvement as a caregiver questioned? This can STING. You have spent so much time and energy providing care and suddenly someone is questioning what you have done or how you have done it. Or maybe you have finally implemented boundaries in your caregiving and people are pushing back and commenting on you and your involvement or intentions.
In today’s episode, Stephanie talks about the implications of being questioned about your caregiving involvement and how you can start to process and manage this interaction.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
Welcome back to Caregiver’s Compass! We cannot believe we are already on season 5 and we have some incredible guests coming your way. In this episode Stephanie introduces this season and briefly discusses her mom’s recent passing after many years of caregiving.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
We are back and covering the most listened-to episode of season 4!
Here is a recap:
5) Episode 105: What exactly is ‘Caregiver Burnout’?
4) Episode 95: Yes, eating disorders can very much be related to caregiving- with Kyla Fox
3) Episode 93: ‘My parent has poor health habits but refuses any of my support or suggestions for change’
2) Episode 94: Supporting Family Caregivers in Healthcare Through Research, Education and in Practice with Dr. Jasneet Parmar
1) Episode 92: How to Care for the Caregiver
We truly hope you enjoyed this season and we cannot wait to see you back here for season 5.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
Palliative care: a term we often hear in our communities and in the healthcare system. But do we actually know what the term palliative care means for us and the people we care for? In today’s enlightening episode, palliative care physician, Dr. Samantha Winemaker, talks to Stephanie about this very important topic in addition to concepts surrounding advocacy for palliative care and MAID.
About Dr. Samantha Winemaker:
Dr. Winemaker is an Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, in the Division of Palliative Care at McMaster University. She teaches palliative care to health care professionals. She has won numerous awards for her work.
Find Dr. Winemaker:
On Instagram: @sammy.winemaker
At the Waiting Room Revolution: https://www.waitingroomrevolution.com/
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Rate, review and subscribe to let us know you are enjoying this podcast and want to hear more!
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support: www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
Lynn Posluns dedicates her life to women’s brain health, education and research for prevention and improvement that you can make in your life right now. In today’s episode, Lynn provides insightful and valuable information on brain health and talks about her ‘why’ for founding the WBHI. She additionally goes into detail about the many ways WBHI is working each and every day to help others learn how to take small and attainable steps to shift their brain health for the present and help to prevent cognitive decline for the future.
This is one episode you don’t want to miss!
About Lynn:
Lynn Posluns is the Founder, President, and CEO of Women’s Brain Health Initiative, the only organization dedicated to protecting the brain health of women, caregivers, and families. Since the charity launched in Canada and the U.S. in 2012, Women's Brain Health Initiative has made tremendous strides in raising awareness about the inequity in brain aging research for women, in funding that research, and in creating compelling preventative health evidence-informed education programs so there is a greater understanding by the public of the best ways to prolong their cognitive vitality.
Lynn has held several executive positions within the Retail and Fashion industries and, throughout her career, has raised millions of dollars for many philanthropic causes, focused primarily on the healthcare industry.
Lynn has received numerous awards for her work in philanthropy and giving back to the community, including the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management’s Top Ten High Achieving Women Award, Rotary International’s Paul Harris Fellowship Award, an Honorary Doctorate by York University and most recently Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence award.
In December 2021, Lynn was appointed as a member to the Order of Canada for her contribution to research on cognitive health and aging through the founding of Women's Brain Health Initiative.
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Rate, review and subscribe to let us know you are enjoying this podcast and want to hear more!
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support: www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
Are you caregiving and working at the same time? This very real and very common situation is also very hidden and not talked about enough… But when you take the stress of home and everything you have to balance with the person you care for ON TOP of a career and working, the stress and overwhelm can be above and beyond what you may feel is manageable. In today’s episode, Stephanie talks about caregiving and balancing a career and offers some practical tips you can use if you are in this situation and trying to keep your head above water.
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Rate, review and subscribe to let us know you are enjoying this podcast and want to hear more!
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support: www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
The nursing home transition can be very very hard, not only for the person who is moving to the residence, but for the caregiver too (in a big way). In today’s episode, Stephanie talks about this transition, the emotions behind nursing home transitions for caregivers and some helpful strategies that can help along the way.
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Rate, review and subscribe to let us know you are enjoying this podcast and want to hear more!
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support: www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
There are over 4 million caregivers in Ontario, yet the Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO), a government funded organization aimed to support this wide variety of caregivers, is still relatively new. In today’s episode, OCO CEO, Amy Coupal joins Stephanie on the podcast to talk about who she is behind her vocation, her caregiving experiences and how she and her team work to shape an organization that caregivers truly need.
We want your feedback. Let us know how you liked today’s episode!
About Amy :
Amy Coupal is the CEO of the Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO), a charitable organization that exists to support Ontario’s 4 million caregivers who provide physical and/or emotional support to family members, partners, friends and neighbours. A visionary leader with over 20 years experience in the not-for-profit sector, Amy is passionate about mobilizing change through knowledge exchange and building collaborative initiatives that positively impact the lives of individuals and communities. The impact of this work is demonstrated through the breadth of direct to caregiver programs and services available through OCO, as well as the early successes of embedding caregiving in the culture of healthcare and the amplification of the voices of caregivers to influence decision making at a system level.
Amy has a Master of Education from the University of Calgary and is an Adler-trained coach. Her insights have been shared through speaking and media engagements, both internationally and here in Canada. Amy has a deep understanding of the benefits and challenges associated with caregiving. As acaregiver for most of her life, Amy helped to support her brother who had Cerebral Palsy. She was also a caregiver to her mother throughout her cancer journey and now supports her father through older adulthood.
Find Amy and the OCO at: http://www.ontariocaregiver.ca
Rate, review and subscribe to let us know you are enjoying this podcast and want to hear more!
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support: www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
Nicole Dauz imagined an idyllic future for her family of 4 after giving birth to her baby daughter. She soon realized that her vision of what would be looked very different in reality. In today’s episode, Nicole takes us through her journey caregiving for her kids, learning about navigating the system and care for a child with autism and a rare genetic disease and learning the true meaning of self-care to survive. Nicole has used her learnings and experience and has become a self-care coach for other parents and leads the way when it comes to changing the narrative of caregiving.
About Nicole:
Nicole Dauz is a self-care coach, speaker, author and advocate who chooses happiness despite her circumstances. Experience is her teacher as the mother of a 17-yr-old neurotypical son and a 15-yr-old autistic daughter with a rare genetic disease.
Her mission in life is to change the story around caregiving and celebrate the journey. She honours the role of the caregiver by helping them recognize their worth and their true gifts. As a self-care coach, she works with parents who feel overwhelmed and at the end of their rope. She helps them regain control of their lives and provides them the tools and strategies needed to shift parents from feeling stressed and overwhelmed to regaining control of their lives and feeling gratitude and joy in their lives.
Find Nicole on IG: @nicoledauz
http://www.nicoledauz.com
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Rate, review and subscribe to let us know you are enjoying this podcast and want to hear more!
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support: www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
The first, second, third…. times we experience a holiday or an event since changes or the loss of someone we love can be so hard. These moments and the anticipation of them can be so full of loss and grief and memories of what once was.
In today’s episode, Stephanie talks about these moments, what they can feel like and what we can start to do to process and acknowledge them rather than push the pain away.
We want your feedback. Let us know how you liked today’s episode!
Rate, review and subscribe to let us know you are enjoying this podcast and want to hear more!
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support: www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
As an only child, for many years Stephanie thought that having a sibling by her side would really help in the caregiving process. But after working with caregivers for many years, she soon realized that this is not always the case. In today’s episode, Stephanie walks listeners through some scenarios when sibling conflict was more prevalent than support in caregiving.
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Rate, review and subscribe to let us know you are enjoying this podcast and want to hear more!
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
Nicole Petrie is not a person who is easily describable with words. Using her passion for FTD advocacy and surpassing numerous obstacles and limits in her way, she achieved an outstanding career in modeling, featured in some of the largest publications and on the largest platforms worldwide. In today’s episode, Nicole talks about her journey caring for her mother with early onset FTD as she continues to pursue her career, boundlessly advocating for dementia and FTD and all that surrounds these diagnoses.
We want your feedback. Let us know how you liked today’s episode!
Rate, review and subscribe to let us know you are enjoying this podcast and want to hear more!
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
About Nicole:
Nicole Petrie is a model, activist, entrepreneur, and caregiver from Wisconsin. Since her mom's FTD diagnosis she has dedicated her career & social media presence to raising awareness for dementia related diseases and the hard work of caregivers everywhere. She has grown an online community of over 1.1 million followers between tiktok & Instagram, sharing a variety of videos including, her day-to-day life as a young adult caregiver & educational information about dementia. Some of her notable professional accomplishments include being featured in Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition, becoming an official ambassador for The Association of FrontoTemporal Degeneration, & modeling for brands such as Ulta, Bulgari, and Balmain. Additionally, Nicole has recently created a clothing & accessory merchandise line with designs that aim to recognize caregivers, spread awareness for FTD, and honor her mother.
Find Nicole on Instagram: @nicolepetrie
On her website: http://www.nicolepetrie.com
Thank you to today’s sponsor, Memorable Minds. To learn more about Memorable Minds and all that they do for caregivers, visit https://www.memorablemindsconsulting.com/.
When Katrina Prescott left her commercial production role in New York City and returned to British Columbia as she was faced with the realities of her aging grandmother. Little did she know, almost immediately following her grandmother’s passing, she would become a full on solo caregiver for her mother with FTD. In today’s episode, Katrina takes you through her caregiving journey and talks about what she learned along the way and the incredible advocacy she now engages in daily for caregivers everywhere.
About Katrina:
Katrina Prescott is an accomplished media producer.Her personal experience caring for her mother who was living with dementia compelled her to embark on a new career in caregiving advocacy and education. Now a sought-after Caregiving Coach, Katrina has harnessed what she learned first-hand as a full-time caregiver with her innate ability to teach and guide others without judgment as they navigate through this often overwhelming, exhausting, and yet also potentially rewarding journey.
From navigating the healthcare system, guiding people through the fluctuating stages of hope and grief, finding helpful programs and resources, and encouraging caregivers in a straightforward yet highly engaging approach, Katrina is a beacon for both caregivers and care recipients.
By combining her role as a producer with insights from lived caregiving experiences, Katrina produced the widely viewed web series “Therapeutic Fibbing”. Already seen by over one million people to date, this innovative educational series uses real-life examples and re-enactments of common scenarios often encountered by people who find themselves as caregivers to loved ones with dementia. The series offers tools and learning - and even some gentle humour - and has garnered significant caregiver engagement.
In 2023, Katrina received an award for Caregiving Advocacy by the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence. Looking ahead, she aspires to drive transformation in health care for individuals with chronic illness and their caregivers and collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders including non-profit groups, researchers, politicians, universities and medical professionals.
Find Katrina on her website: https://www.katrinaprescott.com/
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As people, we have thousands and thousands of thoughts each and every day. But do you truly recognize your thoughts and are you aware of the thoughts you are having? How are your thoughts impacting you and your daily life as a caregiver?
In this episode, Jessica and Stephanie talk about the importance of noticing our thoughts and how this practice can change our lives, emotions and overall outlook.
About Jessica:
Jessica is a writer, meditation teacher, death doula, and dementia consultant. Her studies with Ram Dass, Joseph Goldstein, Alua Arthur, and Pema Chodron have shaped her mindfulness and doula work with the dementia community, which focuses on bringing awareness to our thoughts and leading with compassion. You can find her on Instagram (@alzheimers_awakening) and Substack (@alzheimersawakening).
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The driver’s license and cognitive or physical impairment. Something that, unless you’ve experienced it, you can never fully understand. The battle and the ethics and the nuances to exploring safety vs. autonomy and taking the path of least resistance.
What in the world do we do when we are faced with the reality that it may be time to confront the reality that to the person you care for may no longer be safe to drive (or maybe they have already been told by a member of their medical team they cannot and you are now dealing with the aftermath).
In this episode, Stephanie takes you through the emotions and internal/ external battle of this very complex situation and takes you through her own personal experiences with the driver’s license and her own mother.
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We hear about this term, caregiver burnout, so often. But what exactly is ‘burnout’ and how do we get there? What can we do to try and prevent or mitigate burnout? In today’s episode, Stephanie takes it back to basics to talk about this commonly used term and what it means.
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Caitlin Melvin’s life changed forever in 2021 when her 3 week old baby Scottie passed away. Having to continue caring for her young son in the face of grief, Caitlin learned how to navigate a situation she never thought she would face. In today’s episode, Caitlin talks about feeling substantial pain and having to continue on while growing her family and running a successful business.
About Caitlin:
Caitlin Melvin lives in Vancouver, British Columbia with her husband and two children, Huxley and Goldie (and kitty - Lucca!). Caitlin owns Melvin Marketing Group, a boutique marketing agency that focuses on social media marketing and branding. She balances life with her passions for motherhood, cooking and baking, snowboarding, and enjoying Vancouver and the surrounding area via hiking boots, her bicycle and long drives with her family.
Find Caitlin on Instagram: @caitlinalison
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.com
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Patti LaFleur (known as misspatticake on social media) has become a well-known figure in the caregiving space. After leaving her teaching job of many years, she dedicated her life to caring for her father and her mother Linda, diagnosed with dementia. Documenting her journey daily, Patti and Linda were an inspiration and a real view on the happiness and positivity that was possible in a carepartner bond between mother and daughter. When Linda passed away more suddenly than ever anticipated, Patti found herself lost and confused, looking to find herself and her identity once again. In today’s episode Patti bravely talks about her experiences in loss and grief, finding meaning after loss and learning who she is once again.
About Patti:
Patti LaFleur is the former care partner to her mom, Linda, who had younger-onset mixed dementia. Patti brings a wealth of knowledge after caring for both parents, teaching for ten years, volunteering with people living with neurocognitive disorders in art classes, and serving as a community educator for the Alzheimer’s Association. Patti also has a Masters in Instructional Leadership and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She is a member of the Lorenzo's House team, leading their vision as their Youth and Lighthouse Outreach Lead, where she connects with families, designs and implements youth programming, and leads their ambassador initiative (valued volunteer leaders).
Find Patti on Instagram: @misspatticake
Thank you to the sponsor of thoday’s episode, Innerhive. To learn more about Innerhive, visit http://www.innerhive.com !
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.com
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Mary Lou Falcone lived a life of sophistication and excitement as a prominent figure in the classical music space, her husband a well-known artist. Using music throughout her life helped as a means of expressing herself and proved to be paramount when her husband was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia- at a time in her life that was shocking and unexpected. In this episode, Mary Lou describes her journey through caregiving and the rollercoaster of moments that will be sure to leave you with tears.
About Mary Lou Falcone:
Mary Lou Falcone is internationally known as a classical music
publicist/strategist who for fifty years has helped guide the careers
of celebrated artists – Van Cliburn, Gustavo Dudamel, Renée
Fleming, Sir Georg Solti, James Taylor – and advised many
institutions including Carnegie Hall, Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles
Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, New York Philharmonic,
Vienna Philharmonic. Combining communication skills with her
background as a performer and educator, she now adds another
layer: advocate for Lewy body dementia (LBD) awareness. Her late
husband, the illustrator Nicky Zann who died from LBD in 2020, was
the catalyst for her first book, I DIDN’T SEE IT COMING: Scenes of
Love, Loss, and Lewy Body Dementia.
Find Mary Lou: https://maryloufalcone.com/
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
Do you ever feel completely removed, turned off or differently in general about your partner who you care for? Do you notice that you no longer want to engage in intimacy with your partner because of the changes in your relationship and the dynamic as a result of your caregiving? In today’s episode, Stephanie touches upon the topic of sex as a caregiver and normalizes and validates the emotions you may have surrounding sex and intimacy.
Today’s episode was the number 1 requested episode this season by our audience on social media! If you feel this way you are NOT alone.
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For 43 years André Picard has been at the forefront of health journalism and health reporting for The Globe and Mail. In today’s episode, André takes a deep dive into the reality of our healthcare system and its impact on caregivers and the people they care for. André compares and contrasts the Canadian system in relation to systems in other nations, the gains that have been made in the Canadian system over time and what improvements are needed to best impact caregivers, both now and in the future.
About André Picard:
André Picard is the health columnist at The Globe and Mail. He was named Canada’s first Public Health Hero by the Canadian Public Health Association, and a Champion of Mental Health by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health. He received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his dedication to improving healthcare.
He is also the author of six bestselling books, most recently “Neglected No More: The Urgent Need To Improve The Lives of Canada’s Elders.”
Find André:https://www.andrepicard.com/
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Debbie Compton and her husband cared for 3 family members at the same time. It was during this balance that she recognized exceptionally innovative ways to navigate presenting difficulties and stressors. She has since adapted these innovations and techniques for other caregivers to help them through their journeys. Debbie is a positive and truly inspirational leader who shares her incredible story in today’s episode.
About Debbie Compton:
Debbie Compton is a three-time caregiver for parents with different forms of Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Vascular Dementia. She is a Certified Caregiving Consultant, Certified Caregiver Advocate, Educator for the Alzheimer’s Assoc. speaker, and author of 9 books. Debbie’s first book, Caregiving: How to hold on while letting go**, offers actionable steps for caregivers as well as questions to ask doctors, in-home caregivers, facilities, and more. It is full of humor and inspiration.
Debbie is the founder of The Purple Vine LLC**, whose mission is to empower caregivers with the tools and strategies needed to reduce stress, block burnout, and learn to laugh again.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
In today’s episode, Rajiv Mehta talks about his non profit organization, Atlas of Caregiving, and his revolutionary mapping tool the Atlas CareMap which has been taught to and used by groups around the world. Rajiv explores how the Atlas CareMap tool can truly impact the lives of caregivers by helping them gain a fuller awareness of their own selves and the community around them which can shift their thought processes and overall worldview.
Join our program waitlist (for clinicians):
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About Rajiv Mehta:
Rajiv Mehta is a leading expert on care and community. He has led groundbreaking research and the development of innovative tools and experiences that empower people to nurture cultures of connection and belonging and better care for each other. This has resulted in numerous engagements around the world, including consulting, collaborations, keynotes, and workshops (participants have ranged widely: business execs, Navy SEALs, doctors, students, waiters, house cleaners, etc. and many different patient and family caregiver communities). Key developments include the Atlas CareMap tool and the broader Mapping Ourselves methodology. Rajiv has served on the boards and advisory panels of several nonprofit and government organizations, including Family Caregiver Alliance, U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and AARP, and caregiving research programs at Stanford, USC, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. His current efforts are focused on the question “Why are many efforts to cultivate connection and belonging in organizations so ineffectual?”, and how we can do significantly better.
Rajiv is CEO & Founder of Atlas of Care. He studied business at Columbia (MBA), and aerospace engineering at Stanford (MS) and Princeton (BS), conducted research at NASA, and lead innovation efforts at Apple, Adobe, and other tech companies. Since 2006 he has applied this experience to nurturing thriving families and communities.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.com
For more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving
You work so hard to organize and plan respite care so that you can get that long awaited and very needed break, but your expectations and hopes fall short of what you were hoping for, and suddenly you find yourself frustrated, angry and even more depleted. In episode 97 of Caregiver’s Compass, Stephanie talks about expectations and realities of respite care and how we can maximize this truly valuable time so we can come back home refreshed and content.
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www.compassionincaregiving.com
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Nikki Nurse learned what burnout in caregiving can look like when she broke 2 of her limbs while caring for her mother. It was at that time that she realized the true importance of incorporating self-care and working to minimize and prevent burnout as an essential part of caregiving. In today’s episode, Nikki shares her story of caregiving and continuing to maintain balance and care for self after her mother’s passing. She also talks about life after loss and maintaining her sense of self after many years of caregiving.
About Nikki:
Nikki J Nurse is a writer, wellness advocate, and content creator based in Brooklyn. As someone who has personally navigated life after caregiving, Nikki believes it is important to discuss finding oneself and purpose after loss. Through her own experience, she has learned that it is possible to rediscover passions and find new purposes in life. Through her empathetic writing and calm presence, she makes it easy for us to acknowledge our pain and struggles - embracing them not as enemies, but as part of our ongoing journey towards joy and empowerment.
Find Nikki on Instagram and Tik Tok: @alogcabininbrooklyn
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support: www.compassionincaregiving.com For more visit our Instagram!
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Did you know that eating disorders, at their core, have very little to do with how you look? In this insightful episode, social worker and therapist, Kyla Fox , identifies what an eating disorder is, how it can present in one’s life and how it can be related to and triggered by caregiving.
**If you or someone you know is experiencing an eating disorder, please seek support.
Please visit NEDIC https://nedic.ca/ for support (Canada).**
About Kyla Fox:
Kyla Fox has established herself as a visionary and innovator, when it comes to re-framing the way Canadians think about and treat eating disorders. As someone who struggled herself with an eating disorder, Fox identified care gaps and fundamental flaws in the treatment and recovery approach. Kyla is a Master’s level clinician with degrees from both the University of Toronto in the Master’s of Social Work program as well as an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Women’s Studies. Kyla is a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers and is registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She is also a member of the Academy of Eating Disorders and the National Eating Disorders Association. With such deep and varied experience in the field, Kyla is regularly called on by Canada’s top media outlets as a special commentator on a broad list of topics, including eating disorders, self-esteem, women’s health, body image, pregnancy and body confidence and more. For more information please visit www.kylafoxcentre.com.
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Caregivers are aware there are significant gaps in our healthcare system, yet some of the answers to these gaps are found in supporting and providing education to the healthcare workers on the front lines. It was not until recently that Dr. Jasneet Parmar and her team sought to change the landscape of caregivers in healthcare and began to create and distribute peer reviewed, validated trainings for care providers to change the engagement between the healthcare team and caregivers on the frontlines. These trainings and further education, research and her own work as a physician are truly shifting how the system works with caregivers at the forefront.
About Dr. Jasneet Parmar:
Dr. Jasneet Parmar is a Care of the Elderly physician and has worked for the Specialized Geriatrics Program, in Edmonton, since 1992. She is a Professor at the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta. She currently works in the Homeliving Care of the Elderly Services and provides assessments to homebound seniors. Jasneet has been very active in developing and implementing clinical programs for the care of the elderly. Her research is focused on supporting family caregivers by the healthcare system.
Find Dr. Parmar and Caregiver Centered Care:
https://www.caregivercare.ca/ Thank you to a Team CarePal for sponsoring today’s episode. Visit Team CarePal at https://teamcarepal.com/
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
http://www.compassionincaregiving.com
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So you have identified what needs to change when it comes to your parent’s care or habits, or you have recognized the risks in their current lifestyle choices and want to ensure they stay safe and healthy. But whenever you approach them to talk about this, they are either entirely resistant, or refuse to talk about this. Or maybe they are open to engaging with you but then it is as if they didn’t hear a word you said because nothing ever changes leading you worried about what is to come if they do not make real change now.
In this episode, Stephanie talks about what you can and can’t do when it comes to asserting change in your parent’s life and how to navigate what can at times feel out of control, powerless and very anxiety-provoking.
Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
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We all know about the caregiver and the intense care they can provide around the clock. But when it comes to caring for the caregiver themselves, what might they need? How do we support and care for the caregiver who is doing it all?
Should you pull back and leave them alone in all this and give them space to come to you or should you show up at their door offering to support them when they don’t reply to your texts?
In this episode, Stephanie gives her perspective on how to support and care for the caregiver which she bases both off her own caregiving experiences and her professional work with hundreds of caregivers. Whether you are listening for ideas to communicate to those in your life or whether you wish to share this episode with someone who may be looking for insights into your care as a caregiver, this is the episode you need when it comes to YOUR own care.
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There were so many incredible episodes this season and today Stephanie recaps the most listened to episodes of season 3.
This entire season we have also highlighted quotes from our guests and these will be available on one beautiful free PDF the week of January 8th! To download all of these that you can print or keep with you, visit our website (www.compassionincaregiving.com), enter your information into the pop-up on the website for the PDF download and that's it!
If you have any suggestions for what you want to hear next season, email us at stephanie@compassionincaregiving.com ! We would love to hear from you.
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1 in 4 in Canada are presently caregivers and this number is expected to increase to 1 in 2 in the coming years. Yet our healthcare system is not equipped to support the family caregiver or the private caregiver in a way that prevents collapse. A national healthcare strategy is needed. Enter the CCCE, spearheaded by director Liv Mendelsohn, this organization works to educate, advocate and change policy to improve all areas of care across Canada. In today’s episode, Liv details the history of the CCCE and how they are working to change the caregiver narrative as we move forward.
About Liv:
Liv Mendelsohn, MA, MEd, is the executive director of the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence where she leads innovation, research, policy and program initiatives to support Canada’s caregivers and care providers.
Liv has a been a lifelong caregiver and has lived experience of disability. Her experiences as a member of the ‘sandwich generation’ fuel her passion to build a caregiver movement in Canada to change the way that caregiving is seen, valued, and supported.
Over the course of her career, Liv has founded and helmed several organizations in the disability and caregiving space, including the Wagner Green Centre for Accessibility and Inclusion and the ReelAbilities Toronto Film Festival.
Liv serves as the chair of the City of Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee. She has received the City of Toronto Equity Award, and has been recognized by University College, University of Toronto and the Jewish Community Centres of North America for her leadership. Liv is a senior fellow at Massey College and a graduate of the Mandel Institute for Non-Profit Leadership and the Civic Action Leadership Foundation Diversity Fellowship program.
Liv lives in Toronto with her husband and two boys.
Find Liv Mendelsohn and the CCCE (Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence: https://canadiancaregiving.org/
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In today’s episode, the incredible Rev Katie Norris talks about her experiences caring for her mom with dementia with her son Jeffrey, and how this shaped her passion for entering a career in caregiving support. Katie discusses the very unique Montessori approach to dementia care and her successful membership and coaching program for caregivers.
About Katie:
Rev. Katie is an AMI Montessori for Aging and Dementia Practitioner and primary author of "Creative Connections in Dementia Care®." She started in dementia care 14 years ago and has taught families, churches, nursing care facilities, and other AMI students Montessori based care. Post-pandemic, she took her work online, and now she, with her son Jeffrey (who was a child care partner for his grandmother), coach families and hired care partners in trauma-informed Montessori based dementia care through their online dementia care membership, the Care Partners House™. She was a live-in care partner for her mother who had Lewy Body Dementia and is now a long-distance care partner for her dad who has Alzheimer's Disease.
Find Rev Katie Norris and her son Jeffrey on Instagram: @creativeconnectionsdementia
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In this episode, Rosanne Corcoran, podcast host, speaker and previous caregiver of her mom with dementia, details her journey in the sandwich caregiver role, caring for her mom and children for 12 years. She specifically talks about her siblings who did not actively step forward to care for her mom during a time when she was an intensive and primary caregiver.
About Rosanne:
Rosanne Corcoran’s journey into caregiving began with a dementia
diagnosis of her fiercely independent mother, opening the door to a 12-year
journey in sandwich caregiving. After experiencing first-hand the stress and
isolation caregiving brings along with the lack of meaningful resources for
caregivers, Rosanne created Daughterhood the Podcast. As host of the
podcast, touching the lives of thousands of caregivers, Rosanne brings her
authentic voice to each conversation and discusses challenges caregivers
face with experts in all fields.
Rosanne is a sought-after speaker and author who has been featured in
publications including CNN Health, Barron’s and Next Avenue. She has also
received Caregiving.com’s Visionary Award in 2021. In addition to leading a
monthly Daughterhood Connection Circle, as the Director of Content and
Strategy for Daughterhood, Rosanne oversees ensuring that Daughterhood’s
content is well organized, easily understood, and practical.
Find Rosanne: http://www.daughterhoodthepodcast.com
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Although I truly do not think that anything I am doing is ‘more busy’ than the next person (especially if you are a caregiver!), I am sometimes asked what my personal care routine is and how I balance and wear so many hats. So here you go for something a little different! And you will see very quickly that I am anything but perfect in this. Enjoy!
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**This topic hits hard. Being a caregiver can already be so isolating and difficult and as caregivers, we rely on others to come forward, show up, and support us when we need it the most. In this episode, Stephanie talks about what we can do when people we have been connected to stop showing up for us and our loved ones and explores possible options for navigating this very difficult aspect of caregiving.
Today's episode is sponsored by Compassionate Callers. To learn more about their services, visit their website at https://www.compassionatecallers.com/ !**
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In this episode, Dr. Naomi Saperia opens up about her experience caring for her daughter with a life limiting illness from birth to age 5, at a time when she was also working as a psychologist in the healthcare system herself. Naomi is vulnerable and personable in this very special episode.
About Naomi:
Dr. Naomi Gryfe Saperia is a Clinical and Health Psychologist in Ontario. With experience working in hospitals and private practice, her clinical practice focuses on supporting the mental health and well-being of those caring for a loved one with an illness or disability. Dr. Gryfe Saperia is published in numerous medical and psychological journals, has been featured on provincial and national platforms, teaches medical professionals how to effectively communicate with families, and is an advisor on multiple hospital committees. Incorporating her professional expertise with her lived experience as a caregiver herself, Dr. Gryfe Saperia is a passionate advocate for caregiver support. To learn more about Dr. Gryfe Saperia, you can visit her website at www.gryfesaperiapsych.com
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In today’s episode, Kelly Polci, registered social worker and psychotherapist, shares her personal experiences with mom guilt parenting her 3 children, balancing a hospital job and a private therapy practice. The different techniques and resources she employs with her clients facing deep parenting and caregiving guilt are also explored.
Find Kelly on Psychology today at: Kelly Polci psychotherapy
Website resource mentioned in this episode: https://expectful.com
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In today’s episode, Stephanie explores 3 common cases she has seen as an inpatient social worker in the hospital system and looks at how these scenarios end up directly impacting the mental health and capacity of family caregivers and those they care for. Suggestions for systems change and advocacy are noted throughout the episode.
If you have ever been a caregiver of a loved one in the hospital system and have felt more overwhelmed as a result, this episode is for you.
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While caring for a loved one with dementia, do you ever feel as though you wish you had more answers for the future? That you wish you knew what to expect over time? That you had more control over your situation?
In this episode, Stephanie talks about common feelings when it comes to dementia caregivers, the difficulty in knowing what the future may hold and alternative ways you can think about this process while validating the very real frustration, anger and anxiety in this moment.
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In this episode, Dr. Nathan Stall talks about ongoing gaps in the healthcare system in terms of caregiver support and caregiver mental health from his perspective as a geriatrician. He talks about generalizations and misconceptions by healthcare team members and recommendations for future change. He also comments on upcoming positive change and how the system is working on making shifts for the future.
About Dr. Stall:
Dr. Stall is a geriatrician and clinician scientist with the Women’s Age Lab and Women’s College Research Institute, as well as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto. He received his medical degree from Western University and completed his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship training in Geriatric Medicine at the University of Toronto. He also received a PhD in Clinical Epidemiology & Health Care Research at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME) at the University of Toronto. His research interests include family caregiving, long-term care, drug safety for older adults, sex- and gender-based determinants of ageing, and health care utilization among persons with dementia. During the COVID-19 pandemic he served as the Assistant Scientific Director of Ontario’s COVID-19 Science Advisory Table and a Network Science Advisor for CanCOVID.
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In this episode, Wendy Williams joins the podcast once again to talk about how she has experienced grief in caregiving and how grief is so much more than the feeling after one’s passing-including grief over expectations of what life could look like without caregiving and grief over the loss of who your loved one once was.
About Wendy:
Wendy is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and caregiver. In 2010 she founded Crazy Whisperer, a supportive community that focuses on effective management of mental health issues.She has a bipolar husband, an autistic daughter, a disabled son with a rare genetic defect, and an ageing mother with complex medical needs. She is a caregiver to all four and resides in Houston, Texas.
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By now, we are likely familiar with those caring for 1 parent. But what happens when someone is caring for TWO parents?
What if one parent has been caring for the other and has now declined, with all care now on YOU?
This is becoming more and more common in the caregiver landscape given the aging population, the high burden on existing caregivers and the lack of supports in the healthcare system.
In this episode, Stephanie provides some tips to caregivers who are navigating the care of two parents and validates this very overwhelming experience.
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In this episode, Stephanie opens up about some very strange occurrences that happened while she was at her grandmother’s bedside in hospital and following her grandmother’s passing. She talks about how these experiences were not explainable to her and took her from not believing in anything beyond life to thinking there may be more to life than we know.
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In this episode, Julia Freifeld takes us through her journey caring for her husband with multiple system atrophy (MSA )which involved a rapid and difficult decline requiring all of her support and care. Julia talks about what helped her during these years and her memoir, which she wrote after journaling her emotions in secret for many years. She also talks about exploring new relationships after the passing of her spouse.
About Julia:
Author and artist, Julia Freifeld grew up in Los Angeles, and moved to Raleigh in 1996. She was a caregiver for her husband Mark, who was diagnosed with multiple system atrophy (MSA) and recently authored a published memoir, “In Each Other’s Bones: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Living”, which was a number one bestseller on Amazon and based off her journal entries from her caregiving years.
Find Julia:
https://juliafreifeld.com/
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In this episode, social worker, Courtney Sas, discusses her experiences working with patients who have struggled with navigating the healthcare system and navigating supports and resources. She and Stephanie discuss the need for patients and caregivers to often advocate, speak the native language and have awareness of the healthcare system in order to receive the best support and care possible. Gaps and injustices of the system are discussed with general suggestions of how we can do better.
About Courtney:
**Courtney Sas, MSW, RSW, MBE, is a clinical social worker who specializes in chronic kidney disease at a University of Toronto teaching hospital. In 2017, she graduated with a Master’s degree in Bioethics from Harvard Medical School. In addition to the Masters coursework, Courtney was an intern with the ethics support service at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Courtney is a seminar leader and teaches ethics to undergraduate medical students at the University of Toronto and she is also an Adjunct lecturer at the University of Toronto, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work.
Courtney’s article:**https://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/opinion-hospital-patients-visitation-policies-1.5815267
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Disclaimer- this episode discusses the dying process
In this episode, Brian Smith discusses what he wishes he knew to prepare for his wife’s dying process and passing and how his life has shifted following her passing and after many years of being her caregiver.
About Brian:
Brian Smith is a teaching professor at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN, USA.
He was the primary caregiver for his wife, Demetria, who was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis in early 2006 and passed away in January 2023. They have an 8-year old son, Jude, who motivated and inspired Brian to continue his caregiving journey. In his free time, Brian is a CrossFit enthusiast.
Find Brian on Instagram: @bsmith_nd
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Sometimes we are faced with caring for a loved one alongside others who we may not get along with, have a difficult past with, have a complex history with. This may be someone we prefer not to speak to or communicate with and suddenly we are faced with having to provide care with them and speak with/ see them on a regular basis.
In this episode, Stephanie uses a real case example to demonstrate how caregiving with someone you may have a complex relationship with can be navigated to achieve the best possible outcome for you and the loved one you are caring for.
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Have you ever had the following thoughts:
-How can I feel so overwhelmed right now if I am not physically present in the caregiving process on a daily basis?
-Is there something wrong with me for feeling all these emotions when I am not always there with my loved one?
-My loved one is cared for but I still think about being a caregiver ALL THE TIME and am truly consumed by it.
-I feel so guilty for feeling this overwhelmed because there are so many who are always in person caregiving and I am not.
In this episode, Stephanie talks about being a caregiver who may not always be present in person but may be consumed by the emotional side or ongoing awareness of the caregiving role which can be all consuming.
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In this episode, psychotherapist Roxanne Francis talks about the incredible challenges she has faced and gotten through as a caregiver of her mother and children. She discusses the importance of following your internal compass and trusting your inner voice while facing challenges.
About Roxanne Francis: Roxanne is an award-winning Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist. She is the CEO of Francis Psychotherapy & Consulting Services, where she runs a busy group therapy practice. She is also a keynote speaker, leadership coach and a corporate consultant who addresses issues related to women’s issues, race & equity, mental health, parenting as well as wellness at work. Roxanne supports, and mentors other therapists in the field and is also the media’s go-to mental health expert, providing answers to many of life’s difficult questions.
Find Roxanne on her website: http://www.francispsychotherapy.com
How to find Roxanne on Instagram: @francispsychotherapy
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In this episode, Jacquelyn Shapiro shares her experiences as a daughter of FTD in a very vulnerable way. She and Stephanie compare their experiences having mothers with this very difficult diagnosis and the daily rollercoaster it can entail. Jacquelyn also shares her knowledge and details surrounding the genetic components and advancements behind the disease.
About Jacquelyn: Jackie was born and raised in New York to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents. In 2020, her mom was diagnosed with bvFTD at the age of 56 when Jackie was only 30 years old. Her family later learned that her mom is a carrier of GRN (FTD gene), causing FTD. Though the disease is genetic, her family had no known history of dementia. Today, Jackie has become an advocate for genetic testing and support for caregivers.
Find Jacquelyn on instagram: @ftdalovestory
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Did you have a family member who had supported you who is no longer showing up? Did you have a friend around you in this crazy ride who has fallen away? Has your ‘partner in crime’ in all of this passed away?
This is an element of grief in caregiving that no one talks about. And it is SO hard. You attach yourself to others and finally have someone to go through this with- so what happens when they are no longer there with you? It HURTS and it is so hard.
In this episode, Stephanie dives into this topic and provides her own personal perspective on this as she has been there too.
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Does this sound familiar? You try and you try and you are practically SCREAMING to have your voice heard as the caregiver in the healthcare system. Yet you can never find the right person to speak to, you wait for hours on end to either receive a phone call or meet with a practitioner and are still met with nothing.
In this episode, Stephanie shares her knowledge about how you can finally contact that practitioner, have your voice heard or let the team know what is truly important to both you and your loved one. Having worked in both inpatient and outpatient hospital settings and having been a caregiver herself, Stephanie compiles her knowledge to give you her best tips.
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In this episode Carrie Aalberts discusses how she hit rock bottom emotionally and had to shift her life and her career to honour herself and her overall well-being while still working in a field she is extraordinarily passionate about- dementia care. Carrie touches on how she is incorporating balance and positivity into her life while helping others on a daily basis to live a meaningful life.
Find Carrie on Instagram: @dementiadarling
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In today’s episode, Jessica shares her incredible journey caring for her mom, Patti. Jessica shares how presence, mindfulness and bringing in joy helps her through the most difficult times in the caregiving process. Jessica talks about impermanence, managing her emotions as a caregiver and finding an incredible partnership in her husband, Ken. She talks about processing the concept of death and how she turned her uncertainties about death into her career.
About Jessica:
Jessica Smith is a care partner and advocate for her mother, Patti, who has been living with Alzheimer’s since 2014. By day, Jessica is the Director of Sales for Florida Realtors but recently, she was certified as a
death doula as a way to further honor her mom’s journey and prepare for what her family will inevitably face in the coming years. The guiding principles Jessica employs in caring for her Mom stem from her work as a meditation teacher and as a student of Eastern philosophies: compassion, presence,
impermanence, and going with the flow. These tactics help her to show up for her mom consistently while always maintaining an air of peace.
While they don’t live in the same state (Jessica lives in North Carolina and Patti is in Florida), they see each other very frequently and for long stretches at a time. They also speak daily and Jessica helps her
step-dad make the difficult day to day decisions that he’s faced with. Together with Jessica’s husband, Ken, the three of them serve as Patti’s constellation of support. To remain grounded, Jessica enjoys spending as much time outdoors as possible whether it’s working in the garden with her husband, hiking, or taking daily walks. She is also a nutrition and health enthusiast,
animal lover, dancer, and avid traveler. Both she and Patti are HUGE music lovers as well, which serves as an aide in Patti’s day to day care and overall enjoyment of life.
Find Jessica on Instagram: @alzheimers_awakening
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In this episode, Stephanie talks about some ‘life hacks’ that you can implement in your daily life as a caregiver. These can help reduce overall stress and improve your mental health and coping to find more balance.
This episode corresponds to a post on our blog. Access this post here: https://compassionincaregiving.com/blog/life-hacks-for-making-your-life-as-a-caregiver-less-stressful-1
This episode is sponsored by LifeLabs MyVisit. Visit the LifeLabs website to book your home test here! https://myvisits.powerappsportals.com/?utm_source=Instagram&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=MyVisit_Jun2023&utm_content=Stephanie_P1
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Welcome back to Caregiver’s Compass. We are so excited to be back and this season is sure to be an exceptional one.
In this episode, Stephanie talks about what you can expect in Season 3 (we have some surprises up our sleeves this season) and sets the stage for the incredible content to come.
About Caregiver’s Compass:
Caregiver's Compass is an uplifting, inspirational podcast talking about all things caregiving. Therapist and caregiver Stephanie Muskat takes you through real-life caregiving stories from her own therapeutic experience and gives you the raw and personal on her own caregiving experiences as a young caregiver. Plus hear from tons of incredible experts and caregivers who are living through their day-to-day journeys. It's all here at Caregiver's Compass.
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In this episode Stephanie summarizes the top 5 episodes from season two of Caregiver’s Compass. Thank YOU for making season 2 what it was. Such a fantastic season full of incredible topics and guests. See you for season 3 next year!
1) Episode 48:
GUILT in Caregiving- how it arises, how to manage it, and the differences between guilt vs. shame (with Wendy Williams)
2) Episode 54:
My Life Completely Changed When my Boyfriend was Assaulted and Suddenly Faced a Traumatic Brain Injury’- caregiving after a very sudden and traumatic life shift, with Katherine Smith
3) Episode 57:
From inpatient nurse to caregiving consultant- how losing her job and burning out resulted in finding a daily passion for helping others- With Karen Lake4) Episode 58:Managing postpartum mental health while caring for 1+ children and/or another family member- with Kelly Polci (MSW,RSW) 5) Episode 47:
How Do I Know if I am a Caregiver (Demystifying the Definition of a Caregiver and the Stigma Associated With It/ Identifying as a Caregiver When Society Says You Are Not)
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In this episode, postpartum coach, Jaquie Dason, discusses losing her mom to cancer at the age of 18 and raising 2 children while feeling significant grief not having her by her side. Jaquie talks about why she created her company which provides postpartum coaching to moms who need that extra support and guidance during the difficult early periods of having a newborn.
About Jaquie:
Jaquie is a Postpartum Coach, CAPPA Certified New Parent Educator, Certified Infant Sleep Consultant and Mom of 2. Jaquie supports postpartum moms so they feel empowered to take on motherhood with confidence and joy. She helps with everything from postpartum mind and body to baby sleep, feeding, solid food and development.
Find Jaquie
On her website: http://www.postpartumcoaching.ca
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaquiepostpartumcoach/ Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
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In episode 65, Francine Waskavitz discusses how she, as a memory coach, helps those struggling with their memory and memory loss. She discusses how she works with clients to optimize memory, including clients with dementia and other neurological concerns. She also talks about dementia prevention and preventing possible memory progression with a dementia diagnosis.
About Francine:
Francine Waskavitz, owner and lead coach at Longevity Coaching, LLC. is a memory health expert dedicated to helping you get your memory back, strengthen it and keep it healthy for a lifetime.
Her mission is to empower you to take early action to support your brain health so you can thrive in the life you’ve worked so hard to create, without memory loss interrupting your plans.
Creator of the Memory Confidence Map™ Francine uncovered how to use the power of mindset and lifestyle to overcome and prevent memory loss. Now in her practice, Francine guides clients from forgetful to focused with a clear and personalized approach to memory health.
Francine has her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) from the University of South Florida. She also attended the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) where she became an Integrative Health and Nutrition Coach.
Leveraging her expertise in memory from her 10 years as an SLP with her passion for health and wellness, Francine is dismantling the myth that memory loss is inevitable with age.
Find Francine:
On her website:
https://www.francinewaskavitz.com/
On instagram: @francinewaskavitz
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In episode 64, Adrienne talks about how she got through university and graduate school as a caregiver herself while at her grandparent’s side in the hospital. Stephanie additionally touches on her experience caring for her grandmother at her bedside while in graduate school. She additionally discusses how difficult this time can be and how to get through.
About Adrienne:
Dr. Adrienne Shnier, M.A., Ph.D., J.D., is a mother and founder of two companies. Adrienne is the Advancement Coach & Strategist and Founder (2015) of Apply Yourself: The Advancement Spot Inc., where she holistically, healthily, and strategically works collaboratively with university students and their families to achieve lives beyond their wildest dreams, often starting with graduate and professional school applications using her personal experience with applications cycles, as well as her extensive experience as a member of academic admissions committees. Adrienne also founded Shnier Law & Policy Consulting, Professional Corporation (2020), serving small businesses, health-related clinics and practices, and regulated and unregulated health professional associations. Adrienne is also a professor of health and pharmaceutical policy, regulation, and law at a Toronto university and Toronto law school. Adrienne has published and lectured on her research internationally and supervises undergraduate and graduate students in their research. When Adrienne takes a break, you can find her kayaking up north or sipping a latte on a nice patio…but she’s probably still thinking about what’s next!
Find Adrienne:
On her website: http://www.applyyourselelfglobal.comOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/applyyourselfglobal/
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www.compassionincaregiving.com
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You may be thinking to yourself: how could therapy possibly help me as a caregiver? Therapy cannot get rid of the tasks at hand or the responsibilities I have or my loved one’s decline- so how could a therapist help me with my overwhelm, stress, sadness and burnout?
And in this episode, Stephanie discusses how the deep concerns that caregivers come to her with are often not even about the caregiving at all.In episode 63 Stephanie explores what often arises when caregivers come to her for support and how she helps caregivers through these difficult times.
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In episode 62, Stephanie speaks to Adria Thompson who, in 2021, grew her passion for helping dementia caregivers and those with dementia as an SLP with Be Light Care Consulting. She talks about how her career as a speech language pathologist led to her overall vision to provide support to caregivers around the world.
About Adria:
Adria Thompson is a speech language pathologist, a dementia educator, and is the founder of Be Light Care Consulting. She has 8 years experience providing one-on-one speech therapy services with adults and found her passion and purpose in specifically working with people with dementia. She has spent the last 3 years developing dementia programs for therapy companies and training other therapists to increase their effectiveness and confidence. She now provides one-on-one consulting services and creates daily videos of realistic, functional care tips for professional and personal caregivers of individuals with dementia.
Find Adria:
On Instagram: @belightcare
Website: https://www.belightcare.com/
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Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
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In episode 61, Lisa Sonshine from the Juno Award winning duo Sonshine and Broccoli talks to Stephanie about her father’s FTD diagnosis, decline and passing- a part of her life she has not shared in great detail in the past. She notes how she has taken her grief from this very difficult time and has poured it into her passion for uplifting others through music and performance.
About Lisa:
Lisa is the co-founder and creator of Sonshine and Broccoli as well as a proud wife, entertainer and mom of 2 boys Zade and Barryn bringing joy, style, positivity and sonshine to all.
With her sons Zade and baby Barryn in tow,she is just getting started as a new mom with the drive and passion to support, motivate and entertain other moms going through the stages of motherhood by her side.
Find Lisa
**Instagram: @sonshinel
Website: https://www.sonshineandbroccoli.com/**
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In Episode 60, Stephanie discusses a commonly expressed thought that many of her clients express having: I wish this situation would just end. She explores the guilt, shame and embarrassment that can surround this thought and the reasons why a caregiver may have these thoughts.
Please note: If you ever have the intention or thought of harming yourself or someone else please contact your local emergency department immediately.
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In episode 59, Stephanie further talks about her journey after her mom’s initial diagnosis of FTD. She touches upon what her life looked like after she moved out of her home, caregiving for her grandmother, how she established boundaries when it came to balancing her own life and her mom’s care and how life has been since she had 3 children of her own.
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In this episode, Stephanie speaks to social worker Kelly Polci who has worked with pregnant and postpartum women and families in high-risk obstetrics and the NICU. They look at the systemic definition of postpartum and what supports are currently available in the postpartum period to women in Ontario. They additionally talk about scenarios in which a mother may have a child requiring NICU care while needing to go to and from the hospital to care for other family members and how one can balance their mental health needs at this time.
Kelly Polci, MSW, RSW is a registered social worker and psychotherapist in private practice. She now works at The Hospital for Sick Children. The bulk of her career was in high risk obstetrics and a high-acuity neonatal intensive care unit at another hospital. Her passion and expertise is in women’s and more specifically reproductive mental health.
Find Kelly:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/kelly-polci-toronto-on/831972
http://www.instagram.com/kellypolcitherapy
Group Therapy Works: https://www.grouptherapyworks.ca/
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www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
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In this episode, Stephanie speaks to nurse and caregiving consultant, Karen Lake, as she discusses how she went from caring for patients as a nurse in an inpatient hospital setting to providing consultations and assisting caregivers with their overall support systems and system navigation.
About Karen Lake: Karen proudly works as a professional Caregiving Consultant and Care Navigator; called to offer this service to families after working as a Registered Nurse in Home Health Care for 25 years. She has a special passion for supporting, guiding, and directing family members to be the best they can be in their caregiving role, to help them make informed choices, to be prepared and to confidently navigate the complex issues that come with caring for a loved one. Karen has seen the emotional struggles that family members face as they attempt to balance caregiving with the other demands of life; children, career, retirement and illness. And so, she has made it her mission to serve and support family members of aging loved ones in the Fredericton area, and beyond.
Gathering her years of experience and expertise, she has carefully crafted comprehensive programs that are tailored to meet each family’s specific needs. When not supporting her clients, she collaborates on other projects, such as the first ever Death Expo in Atlantic Canada, Caregivers Wellness Retreats, Caregiver Wellness Expos and has more recently ventured into the world of research working on several projects that support Family Caregivers.
Find Karen:
On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KarenLakeCares
On her website http://www.karenlake.ca
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www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
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This situation is a very common and real occurrence. One day, you do not feel your loved one can be appropriately cared for in their home anymore. In this anonymous and real case scenario, Stephanie talks about a situation in which a patient she was working with was believed to no longer be safe in her home. She discusses the deep struggle her family went through to decide what the best plan would be for the most positive outcome.
Stephanie also shares some suggestions that may assist while navigating this very emotional and difficult situation.
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In episode 55, Stephanie continues to talk about how her mom’s FTD diagnosis shaped her life and the relationships between herself and others as she touches upon how she initially reacted to the changes in her mom and the emotions that came along with this. Thoughts of grief, overwhelm, isolation, fear and anxiety are mentioned in this very real and relatable episode. Stephanie also discusses what she feels like 13-14 years later and how the emotions and adjustment to her mom’s diagnosis have changed.
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Just before her 26th birthday, Katherine’s partner, Ben, was brutally assaulted while on vacation. Ben experienced a severe traumatic brain injury as a result which he has spent the past 3.5 years recovering from. Katherine put her entire life on hold and suddenly became his full-time caregiver, dedicating her daily life to his care and going on an emotional, life-altering journey. Katherine talks all about the past few years in episode 54 , and discusses how she has found light in the darkest of days.
Find Katherine on Instagram: @kathhsmithh
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In this episode, guest Marie (name changed for anonymity) discusses her responsibilities as a caregiver for her parents who are emotionally and physically isolated. She touches upon how supporting their social needs and trying to protect her high risk parents from illness has impacted her marriage, caring for her two young children and trying to balance seeing her own friends and prioritizing life events.
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The Importance of Sleep on Mental Health and Maintaining Overall Balance, with Sleep Consultant Andria Gordon (Episode 52)
We have all heard that sleep deprivation impacts our overall lives. But when it comes to caring for others, waking up in the middle of the night and managing mental health issues, sleep can truly mean the difference between positive or negative daily outcomes. So what happens if you can’t sleep or you have known diagnoses that make sleeping difficult? Is there something that can be done to remedy this or help balance the outcomes? In this episode, sleep consultant and mom of 2 kids, Andria Gordon, discusses the importance of sleep. She and Stephanie touch upon what you can do if you cannot sleep, even without external sleep interruptions.
Andria Gordon is the Owner & Founder of Have Baby. Must Sleep. She is a mom of two boys (Lenny and Nate), a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant and is a former fellow sleep-deprived, highly caffeinated, desperate parent ready to do just about anything for even an hour of uninterrupted sleep.
This is about more than just sleep training, we work with you to come up with the perfect approach and guide you through putting that plan into action. Your child will sleep, you will sleep, and you will gain your evenings, nights, and sanity back.
If sleep is what you are after, Andria and her experienced team will get it for you (fast) and have you feeling empowered around all things child sleep in no time.
Website: havebabymustsleep.com
Instagram: @andriasleep
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When People Question your Abilities as a Caregiver (episode 51)
You are doing your absolute best as a caregiver and you have poured all of you into what you do for your loved one. But yet you continue to receive comments from others about what you are doing, how you are approaching your caregiving and how you are supporting your loved one on a daily basis. This can be SO frustrating- you did not ask for this feedback. Particularly if the commenters are not that involved with your loved one’s care.
In this episode Stephanie discusses how you can approach this situation and provides examples of what you can say to those who are commenting and criticizing your actions. She also discusses the emotions that can result from others’ comments and how to manage the hard feelings.
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In this episode, Stephanie shares the real and raw experience of her mom’s diagnosis and how her father responded to the changes and ultimate FTD diagnosis of her mom.
Stephanie discusses what it can be like when a family member is not at a place of acceptance, or is at a different stage of accepting a loved one’s diagnosis when it comes to a degenerative disease. Stephanie additionally discusses how her relationship with her father shifted when he had difficulty accepting her mom’s diagnosis and what the relationship with her father is like now.
(Please note: full consent was provided by all parties to share this story. All additional parties remain anonymous for this episode for confidentiality purposes).
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In this episode, social worker and hospice executive director, Nadine Persaud discusses,in detail, the differences between palliative care, comfort care and hospice care and the philosophies behind palliative care. The accessibility and barriers to accessing palliative care are additionally explored in this eye-opening episode.
About Nadine:
Nadine Persaud (MSW, PhD (c)) is currently the Executive Director of the Kensington Hospice and the Senior Director of Client Services at Kensington Health. Nadine has been working in the hospice palliative care field for the past 16 years. She sits on the Accreditation review panel for Hospice Palliative Care Ontario and is on the Board of Directors for the Hazel Burns Hospice. Nadine is a trainer for the Core Concepts Hospice Palliative Training for three of the hospices in Toronto and is a facilitator through Palcare for the hospices in York Region. Nadine was instrumental in redeveloping the Palliative Care Certificate Program through Durham College. This year, Nadine is the co-chair of the provincial conference for Hospice Palliative Care Ontario. Nadine received her Bachelor of Social Work and minor in Psychology at Ryerson University, a Master of Social Work at York University and recently successfully defended her PhD in Palliative Care through Lancaster University in England. Her research interests include the importance of making palliative care equitable and accessible to individuals who are structurally vulnerable, maximizing supports that are available to healthcare providers working in the field, and the supports that are available to adolescents and young adults living with advanced cancer at the end of life.
Find Nadine on Instagram: @_nadinepersaud_
Find Nadine on Twitter: @NPersaud5
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Have you ever felt guilty as a caregiver? You are NOT alone. Guilt in caregiving is so common. In this episode, caregiver (to her husband, son, daughter and mother) Wendy Williams, dives into the guilt she has felt as a caregiver and how this has impacted her and how she has managed these feelings over time.
About Wendy:
Wendy is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and caregiver. In 2010 she founded Crazy Whisperer, a supportive community that focuses on effective management of mental health issues.She has a bipolar husband, an autistic daughter, a disabled son with a rare genetic defect, and an ageing mother with complex medical needs. She is a caregiver to all four and resides in Houston, Texas.
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Am I a caregiver?
People tell me I am a caregiver but I don’t think I am one.
Society tells me I’m not a caregiver but I feel like one.
Have you ever had any of these thoughts? What does being a ‘caregiver’ even mean? In this episode Stephanie talks about the perceptions of what the definition of ‘caregiver’ is and whether or not you have to be called a caregiver in your situation.
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Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving
In this episode Stephanie talks about the (several year long) process and journey to her mom’s diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia. Stephanie speaks in detail about the clinicians she saw, the barriers and obstacles she faced on the way, complications she faced along the way given her mom’s behavioural expression and how she finally felt once a neurologist provided a diagnosis.
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Have you ever wondered what to look for or even where to start when searching for a therapist? Have you felt confused and lost when it came to locating allied health supports including art therapists for your loved one? In this episode, Stephanie and therapist Erica Curcio discuss the education and regulation requirements in the United States and Canada to help you on your search to locating a knowledgeable and licenced clinician.
Erica Curcio is the owner of Art Therapists at Home, a Boston-based art therapy practice for people living with dementia and their families. She is a Registered Art Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor that has spent the past decade focusing on improving the therapeutic services available to people living with a dementia-related diagnosis. Erica travels to client’s homes and uses art therapy techniques to bring out feelings of joy in the person living with dementia and their families. Her Art Therapy sessions aim to create new connections and reconnect people living with dementia to themselves and the world around them.
To learn more about Erica and her practice, visit: www.arttherapistsathome.com
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www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
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In this episode, Learning Specialist and Behaviour Consultant Cori Stern discusses the difficulties many parents in the sandwich generation face when balancing their children and their parents. Some topics discussed include: navigating one’s own emotions and anxiety when uncertain how to expose their children to a declining family member or a family member who has changed from the person they once knew; managing a child’s emotions when visiting a behavioural (physically or verbally) family member; how to speak to a child about sudden changes in a family member and the potential decline of a family member.
Cori is a Learning Specialist and Behaviour Consultant. She’s also a Mother of an 8 & 6 year old. After completing her Masters in Child Study & Education she merged her backgrounds in Positive Parenting, Education, Child Development, and Behavioural Sciences to deliver a very unique perspective on child growth & development. She has over 15 years of clinical experience working with families who have children on the Autism Spectrum. Her current work focuses on coaching parents through the different ages and stages of development so they can parent with less of the day to day stress and overwhelm! Consider her your Chief Executive Problem Solver- from the toddler years straight through the school age years.
Find Cori:
www.coristern.com
**On Instagram: @cori_stern
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1132027413565558/**
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
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**Caregiving in the sandwich generation is becoming more and more common. Individuals are living longer and requiring support as they age while parents are having children at later stages in life than in previous decades. The demands and stress involved as a caregiver in the sandwich generation are extreme- it can feel as though you are being pulled on both sides with no reprieve. Stephanie normalizes this experience in this episode and details some coping techniques that can help during this overwhelming time.
Visit us on our website:**
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving
Stephanie details how difficult it can be to care for a parent that was abusive and/or who was the instigator of traumatic experiences with the caregiver. She also provides her top techniques to managing this specific situation.
Please note: when it comes to trauma it is extremely important to speak to a licensed mental health professional as all situations are unique and may require specific processing and management.
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www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
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In this episode Stephanie discusses the concerning changes she started to see in her mom that eventually led to her seeking out a neurological diagnosis. Stephanie details physical and verbal changes in addition to problem solving, ‘logic and reasoning’ shifts she saw her mom experiencing.
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www.compassionincaregiving.com
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In this episode Stephanie summarizes the top 5 episodes from season one of Caregiver’s Compass- trust us, you don’t want to miss these.
1) Episode 14:
My 27 Year Caregiving Journey'- balancing care for a bipolar husband, two special needs children and a mother with complex medical needs
2) Episode 4:The INTENSIVE Caregiver: Caring for a Spouse, Working as a Professor and Parenting a Young Child - With Brian Smith
3) Episode 5:
Role Shifts in the Family System: Chaos and upheaval in the family and navigating breaks in family dynamics as a result of a loved one’s diagnosis
4) Episode 13:
I Am Grieving But My Loved One Is Still Alive- The Ongoing Cycles of Grief During Caregiving
5) Episode 6:
Is it Normal to Feel THIS Overwhelmed as a Caregiver?
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www.compassionincaregiving.com
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For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving
In this episode Stephanie discusses her recent major life changes (she had a baby!) and upcoming changes coming to Caregiver’s Compass.
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www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
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In this episode, Anna Cantor discusses finding out about her mom's cognitive decline from across the world and moving home to provide care for her at the age of 26. She identifies the gaps that she found while caregiving and what inspired her to become a certified life coach and dementia care consultant.
Anna Cantor is a Certified Life Coach and Dementia Care consultant. After her mother was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers in 2010, Anna became her full time caregiver at only 26 years old. For over a decade Anna has managed her care & sought out how to help others deal with grief and loss and get the right support they need. Anna found that she lacked community and 1:1 help that was specific to her needs, alongside the needs of her mother. She believes firmly that you cannot care for others unless you care for yourself first. She became a certified life coach to mentor caregivers dealing with the daily challenges that come with a loved ones diagnosis with dementia. She helps people find value and meaning in their lives, and teaches them healthy perspectives through mindset shifts, emotional processing tools and communication strategies.Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving
In this episode, Natacha and Stephanie discuss how one can go about accessing mental health supports as a caregiver, particularly if their culture/community of origin stigmatizes mental health treatment. They also discuss how to communicate with family/ friends if struggling as a caregiver when caregiving is viewed as a cultural norm or expectation.
About Natacha:
Natacha Pennycooke is an award winning
psychotherapist, international speaker, clinical
consultant, and director of Natacha
Pennycooke Psychotherapy a group private
practice. In her over 11 years of practice, Natacha's work is guided from an anti-
oppressive, healing focused, trauma informed, anti-Black racism lens and racial justice framework, to unpack and challenge Euro-
centric ideologies, systemic oppression and generational traumas that have been detrimental to racialized communities. She has presented at a number of international and national psychological conferences; and, is sought after for her passionate speaking style and expertise on mental health, coping, racial
trauma and healing to speak at various corporate and community events across
Canada, and beyond. Natacha is a founding member of the Association of Black Psychologists - Toronto Chapter (ABPsi-TO), and is the current recipient of the ByBlacks People’s Choice Award for Best Canadian Counsellor of 2020.
Find Natacha:
On Instagram: @natachapennycooke.therapy
http://www.natachapennycooke.com
In this episode, Roxanne discusses the impact her grandfather's Alzheimer's diagnosis had on her grandmother who was his primary caregiver. She explores how her grandfather's diagnosis impacted her and the reasons why she decided to found Wilson & Grandpa, a brand dedicated to Alzheimer's awareness. Stephanie and Roxanne also touch upon the differences in cultural views pertaining to cognitive decline in North America vs. South America.
About Roxanne: Roxanne Santiago, is the founder of Wilson & Grandpa, a project dedicated to bringing awareness to Alzheimer's Disease. The project was inspired after her Grandpa Esteban passed away from Alzheimer's Disease in October 2020. Through Wilson & Grandpa, Roxanne strives to normalize the conversation of Alzheimer's in a simple, relatable way and help others understand more about the disease and how they can make a difference even if they're not primary caregivers - as everyone plays an important role in the lives of people living with dementia.
Find Roxanne:
On Instagram: @wilsonandgrandpa
http://www.wilsonandgrandpa.com
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving
In this episode, registered kinesiologist Sarah Pludwinski discusses how a caregiver or a loved one can incorporate exercise and movement into daily life as a way to benefit one's overall body and mind. Sarah uncovers some of the fears surrounding exercise particularly when it comes to exercising with a chronic illness, comorbidities, cognitive decline or aging.
About Sarah:
Sarah Pludwinski is a Registered Kinesiologist and certified exercise physiologist, with more than 10 years of experience working in both private and public health care settings. Currently she is working at a community health centre in East Toronto, Ontario. Her work primarily focuses on chronic disease prevention and self management. She specializes in behaviour change, providing exercise prescription and support to help individuals achieve their health and wellness goals.Sarah strongly believes in providing services that help break down the barriers people face while engaging in healthy living.
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www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
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In this episode Stephanie discusses how to navigate the guilt, anxiety and overwhelm that caregivers can when traveling. She also discusses practical suggestions to establishing care while away and setting boundaries and communication strategies while traveling.
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www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving
At the age of 29, Kris McCabe made the decision to care full-time for her 'grams' living with Alzheimer's. 5 years later she has never looked back, enjoying a life full of meaning and fun with her grandmother on a daily basis.
In this episode, Kris discusses how she made the decision to care for her grandmother full-time and how she structures her daily life as she provides care as a millenial caregiver. She also touches upon some of the negativity she has received on the internet and how she remains resilient so she can enjoy her life to the fullest.
Find Kris (and her grams Mary):
IG: @lifewithgrams
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving
In this episode, Lani Lipson, co-founder of ee-mah very candidly opens up about her experiences caring for both her mother and father simultaneously in her 20s as an only child. She explores the grief she felt after losing both her parents and the decision to then start her own family without her parents by her side, while at the same time seeing so many friends raise families with parental support.
About Lani:
Lani Lipson is a busy mom of two and co-founder of ee-mah. There are so many things that no one ever tells you about being a new mom which is how ee-mah came about. Lani loves working with her partner Jordana and talking to moms about the ups, the downs, the beauty and the hardships of motherhood. Ee-mah is an anonymous storytelling platform that gives moms an opportunity to share their story to help other mothers feel less alone on their journey.
Find Lani:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shopeemah/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/this.is.eemah/?hl=en
Website:
https://ee-mah.com/
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving
In this episode, esteemed professor Lucy Lach discusses her many years of research looking at the outcomes for caregivers of a child with epilepsy, particularly after undergoing surgery. Specific outcomes discussed include community supports, accessing and navigating community supports and caregiver mental health.
Stephanie and Lucy also discuss how the global pandemic has impacted caregivers overall and their ability to access community supports and mental health supports.
This episode is part 1 of 2.
Dr. Lucyna Lach is an associate professor in the School of Social Work and an associate member of the Departments of Pediatrics, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University. Her program of research focusses on the well-being of children with neurodisabilities and their caregivers (i.e. caregiver health, and parenting). Dr. Lach's current projects address social determinants of health of children with neurodisabilties. Dr. Lach is a peer-reviewer for numerous journals as well as organizations who provide funding in this area of research.
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Trauma as a result of caregiving (particularly as a result of caring for a child with a disability) with Donna Thomson (Part 2) (Episode 30)
Donna Thomson, a well-known advocate for caregivers, joins Stephanie in this episode to discuss her experiences as a caregiver both to her father and her son with severe cerebral palsy and medical complexity. She also touches upon the trauma that can result from caregiving and her experiences navigating the Ontario healthcare system.
Donna Thomson is the co-author with Dr. Zachary White of The Unexpected Journey of Caring and the author of The Four Walls of My Freedom: Lessons I've Learned From a Life of Caregiving. Donna facilitates Caregiving Essentials and instructs the Family Engagement in Research, both at McMaster University. Donna has sat on The Expert Group on Home and Community Care, the advisory committee for the white paper on aging and on the Working Group on Complex Care for Adults with Developmental Disabilities for the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care . She is a lifelong family caregiver and advocate.
Find Donna: https://www.donnathomson.com/
This episode is part 2 of 2.
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www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
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Donna Thomson, a well-known advocate for caregivers, joins Stephanie in this episode to discuss her experiences as a caregiver both to her father and her son with severe cerebral palsy and medical complexity. She also touches upon the trauma that can result from caregiving and her experiences navigating the Ontario healthcare system.
Donna Thomson is the co-author with Dr. Zachary White of The Unexpected Journey of Caring and the author of The Four Walls of My Freedom: Lessons I've Learned From a Life of Caregiving. Donna facilitates Caregiving Essentials and instructs the Family Engagement in Research, both at McMaster University. Donna has sat on The Expert Group on Home and Community Care, the advisory committee for the white paper on aging and on the Working Group on Complex Care for Adults with Developmental Disabilities for the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care . She is a lifelong family caregiver and advocate.
Find Donna: https://www.donnathomson.com/
This episode is part 1 of 2.
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving
In today's episode Stephanie shares a real case example of a very overwhelmed primary caregiver who had to say 'no' and take a step back while her father was admitted to the hospital.
This story emphasizes that it is ok to take a step back when needed and discusses who you can lean on and transfer concerns to when you need to say no.
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving
In today's episode Stephanie shares a real case example of a very overwhelmed primary caregiver who had to say 'no' and take a step back while her father was admitted to the hospital.
This story emphasizes that it is ok to take a step back when needed and discusses who you can lean on and transfer concerns to when you need to say no.
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving
We all have that person in our lives- they are well-meaning and do not recognize it but will reach out to us ongoing about concerns that are very minimal to us while we are navigating crises and significant stressors. What do we do in these situations? Do we reply to their comments and where do we draw the line?
In this episode Stephanie discusses how to approach these situations and what we can do to communicate with those we love who reach out to us in this manner.
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving
We all have that person in our lives- they are well-meaning and do not recognize it but will reach out to us ongoing about concerns that are very minimal to us while we are navigating crises and significant stressors. What do we do in these situations? Do we reply to their comments and where do we draw the line?
In this episode Stephanie discusses how to approach these situations and what we can do to communicate with those we love who reach out to us in this manner.
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving
In Episode 26 of Caregiver's Compass, Adrienne discusses her experiences since her mom's passing 18 months ago (from Multiple System Atrophy), while entering a new chapter in her caregiving journey. Adrienne touches upon grief, traveling after caregiving and experiencing life without her mom.
About Adrienne:
Adrienne Glusman is professional speaker, ambassador and advocate on the topic of Millennial Caregiving, sharing her story and journey as an only-child caregiver to her mom, Hetty, who passed away in 2020 after living with Multiple System Atrophy since 2010. Adrienne's story as Hetty's caregiver was featured in a Wall Street Journal article, 'The Call To Care for Aging Parents Comes Sooner Now'. Her story has also been featured in Health magazine, Toronto Sun and Vox.com to name a few. In addition to keynoting national conferences for Leading Age, National Church Residences and the Multiple System Atrophy Coalition, Adrienne has also been involved with various caregiving campaigns including serving as a caregiver ambassador for EMD Serono's Embracing Carers, Leading Age's 'Carry the Convo' and The Scan Foundation's 'Do You Give a Care'. You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook @younglifeinterrupted, or subscribe to her podcast, Young Life Interrupted, where she is lending a voice to her journey so other young caregivers can feel seen, heard and supported.
Find Adrienne:
Facebook and Instagram: @younglifeinterrupted
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving
In this week's episode, Laura Smothers-Chu (founder of Befriended Heart, LLC) discusses what it can be like as a long-distance daughter and a long-distance caregiver. She explores some of the myths surrounding distance caregiving and she and Stephanie additionally discuss the emotional aspects associated with distance caregiving.
Laura opens up about her fertility journey in this episode and about experiencing loss after caregiving.
About Laura:
Laura Smothers-Chu is the CEO & Founder of Befriended Heart. Here, she helps long-distance daughters navigate their parents’ dementia. Laura is a Certified Senior Advisor and a Certified Dementia Practitioner. With over 10 years of experience in health care, she was also a long-distance daughter of dementia. Laura enjoys guiding daughters in managing stress on the dementia journey. She also hosts a YouTube channel called Joy in Dementia and is quite active on Instagram. She lives in Washington DC with her husband, rescue dog and cat. Laura enjoys living in the moment and discovering joy wherever possible.
Find Laura:
http://www.joyindementia.com
Youtube: https://rebrand.ly/joyindementia
Instagram: @joy.in.dementia
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving
Maria Kent Beers, one of the co-creators of the Remember Me Podcast, talks to Stephanie about how she channeled her grief into helping others and creating meaning from the difficult times in her life. Stephanie and Maria also discuss living with a mom diagnosed with FTD at a very young age while starting a family and a career.
Maria Kent Beers is a fierce advocate for Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and ALS. Her passion for this work was fueled by her mother's diagnosis in late 2016, at the young age of 52. In 2020, Maria channeled her grief and creative talents into creating a FTD-focused podcast, Remember Me, with internet friend and fellow caregiver, Rachael Martinez. Now formally formed as Remember Me, LLC, Maria and Rachael's organization is dedicated to providing a platform for early-onset dementia resources and a loving and engaged community bonded over shared experience.
Maria lives in Boston where she is a mother to one spirited boy and wife to her college love. She is a proud graduate of Boston University's College of Communications, where she started her love of radio as a host of "BU in the Morning" Radio Show and summer intern for MTV Radio in NYC.
Find Maria on Instagram: @remembermepodcast
The Remember Me community and online store: http:///www.remembermeftd.com
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
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It is completely normal to compare yourself to other caregivers and other people around you. Why do others have more help when it comes to caring for others? Why did all of this have to happen to you at your age while not to others? Why do others seem so happy and care-free while you are struggling daily?
In this episode Stephanie discusses comparing to others in general and during stressful times in our lives. She also suggests specific ideas for how to move past comparing and more towards gratitude for your own life and what you have.
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving
The holidays can be a very difficult time as a caregiver- add the stress of being a parent, and negative emotions can go to a whole other level.
In this episode, Stephanie discusses some common concerns and stressors that may be faced as a parent in the sandwich generation during the holiday season. She also provides suggestions and tips in regards to navigating this time so you can try and make the holidays as enjoyable as possible for you, your kids and your aging loved one.
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www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
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Brandon Burke is an inspiring author who has taken the impact of his experience as a young caregiver and turned it into a passion for helping others in similar situations. In this episode Brandon talks about the shock of his dad’s diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s and how caring for his father changed his life’s trajectory and overall meaning of life.
About Brandon:
As an adolescent, Brandon saw the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, specifically the havoc it wreaks on the diagnosed and the interruption of life it causes for caregivers, through the diagnosis of his beloved grandmother; but he never dreamed how that would shape his adult life.
In 2015, Brandon was faced with the realities of Alzheimer’s disease front and center when his father, Gary, was diagnosed. He immediately understood that this diagnosis would change the trajectory of his life forever.
On Nov. 1, 2020, Brandon released his first book, Rediscovering Dad and Discovering Myself: A Journey Through the Impact of Alzheimer’s. “I believe that sharing our stories is our superpower. We realize just how connected we all are when we have the courage to open ourselves up to others. You never know how your story can impact the life of someone else until you share. It just might save them,” Brandon relates.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, and a graduate of Hampton University, Brandon currently resides in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
Find Brandon:
On Instagram: @brandontheauthor
Http://brandontheauthor.com
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving
Registered Dietitian Molly Robinson discusses some of the common nutrition concerns of care partners and talks about the importance of having an experienced dietician involved in the care team of an individual with dementia. She explains the differences between a dietician and speech language pathologist and how it is very possible to introduce a variety of foods and drink other than the meal supplements that may often be suggested by some members of a care team.
Molly Robinson a registered dietitian with more than 18 years of experience and a passion for nutritional care in dementia. She specializes in providing support and solutions for families and care partners to nourish through the nutrition challenges that often come with the dementia journey. Molly believes in a dignified dining experience and promoting independence and quality of life with food throughout the dementia journey.
She coaches caregivers in strategies to relieve stress at mealtime, improve nutritional status and prevent or stop weight loss.
Find Molly on Instagram: @dementia.nutritionist
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www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
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Do you feel like it's extremely difficult for you to ask for help as a caregiver? You are NOT alone. As caregivers it can be daunting to ask for support. You may face extreme guilt, shame or just be truly unsure of where to go for support. Or maybe you have tried asking for help in the past, only to be faced with rejection or disappointment from the help you received. In this episode, Stephanie discusses the reasons as to why it may be so difficult to seek support as a caregiver and provides techniques that can assist you in doing so. Finally, she talks about why it is so important to seek help as a caregiver.
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our instagram! @compassionincaregiving
In this episode Stephanie discusses the realities and debunks the myths when it comes to therapy. She talks about the benefits that therapy can provide for caregivers and the lasting changes that can result from a positive therapeutic alliance. She also touches upon the variety of mental health clinicians that can be accessed and what therapists vs. psychiatrists vs. psychologists may be able to provide to clients.
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our instagram! @compassionincaregiving
Music therapy yields fantastic outcomes and in this episode, board certified music therapist Karla Wilson discusses how clients can now access music therapy online and benefit from this remarkable field. Stephanie discusses the impact music has had on her mother and Karla shares shocking and immediate outcomes of her work with clients.
Karla Wilson, founder of Music Therapy at Home, is a board certified music therapist with many years of clinical experience optimizing the transformative power of music for clients with wide-ranging needs across the life span. By providing exceptional, compassionate and convenient virtual music therapy services, Karla’s music therapy practice, Music Therapy at Home, fulfills her mission of reaching those
who may not otherwise have access to a music therapist in their community or who need to receive services in their own homes. Karla specializes in supporting: those living with dementia or chronic illness; adults with developmental disabilities and medical complexities; those receiving hospice care;
individuals coping with grief and loss. Having been a family caregiver multiple times herself, Karla is passionate about supporting the unique journeys taken by family caregivers.
Find Karla:
karlawilson@musictherapyathome.com
www.musictherapyathome.come
@musictherapyathome on Instagram
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our instagram! @compassionincaregiving
In today's episode, Certified Dementia Practitioner, Carrie Aalberts, discusses her role as the director of an adult daycare center and the true benefits and changes she has seen in the center's participants. Carrie and Stephanie also discuss navigating financial considerations when locating an adult daycare center and truly finding the right fit. Carrie has a true passion for her work and her work's outcomes which is very evident in this uplifting episode!
Carrie Aalberts (Dementia Darling) is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and has her Master of Science degree focused in gerontology. She is currently the Director of an adult daycare center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dementia Darling provides support, education and community to dementia caregivers.
Find Carrie on Instagram: http:/www.instagram.com/dementiadarling
Tik Tok: @dementiadarling
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Stephanie currently has openings for one-on-one therapy. To find out more and to see if she is a good fit please visit https://calendly.com/compassionincaregiving/30min?back=1&month=2021-06
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
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In this episode, family health lawyer Lisa Feldstein goes into the nitty gritty when it comes to the tough legal decisions pertaining to caregiving including: the law surrounding health decisions, financial decisions and consent and capacity. Real cases are discussed and common legal scenarios are touched upon in this very informative episode.
About Lisa:
Lisa Feldstein is the principal lawyer at Lisa Feldstein Law Office. Lisa is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and the University of Guelph, where she studied psychology. Lisa practices in the area of Family Health Law™, which includes providing advice in the areas of mental health law, guardianship law, privacy law, elder law, and other health law matters.
Prior to opening her own practice in 2013, Lisa was a lawyer at Canada’s largest health law firm providing advice to hospitals and other health care organizations. During that time she performed a secondment with The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
Lisa provides advice to family members in their role as caregivers, attorneys, guardians, substitute decision-makers and advocates, and represents family members before the Consent and Capacity Board. She routinely assists clients to navigate challenging ethical situations involving consent, capacity and substitute decision-making.
Lisa frequently writes and presents about health law matters and has been widely published and interviewed in media outlets such as the National Post, Global News, CTV, Vanity Fair, Macleans Magazine and the CBC. She teaches Health Care Law as an Adjunct Professor at York University.
You can find Lisa on her website or on Instagram:
http:// www.familyhealthlaw.ca
https://www.instagram.com/lisafeldsteinlaw/
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Stephanie currently has openings for one-on-one therapy. To find out more and to see if she is a good fit please visit https://calendly.com/compassionincaregiving/30min?back=1&month=2021-06
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our instagram! @compassionincaregiving
In this episode, Wendy Williams discusses her 20+ year journey caring for her husband, who has severe rapid cycle type 1 bipolar disorder, while also providing care for her two adult children- one who requires total care and one with autism-and her mother. Wendy discusses how she has managed to develop an effective self-care routine and has established strong boundaries to maintain her overall mental health.
About Wendy:
Wendy is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and caregiver. In 2010 she founded Crazy Whisperer, a supportive community that focuses on effective management of mental health issues.She has a bipolar husband, an autistic daughter, a disabled son with a rare genetic defect, and an aging mother with complex medical needs. She is a caregiver to all four and resides in Houston, Texas.
Find Wendy:
On instagram: @crazywhisperer
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Stephanie currently has openings for one-on-one therapy. To find out more and to see if she is a good fit please visit https://calendly.com/compassionincaregiving/30min?back=1&month=2021-06
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our instagram! @compassionincaregiving
Most of us have heard about grief that is experienced when someone dies, but not much is discussed in terms of the grief that is experienced while someone is still alive. In this episode, Stephanie discusses the very normal realities of going through the cycles of grief ongoing as caregivers, particularly the grief we experience about a loved one with a progressive illness. Techniques to manage feelings of grief are also touched upon in this episode.
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Stephanie currently has openings for one-on-one therapy. To find out more and to see if she is a good fit please visit https://calendly.com/compassionincaregiving/30min?back=1&month=2021-06
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our instagram! @compassionincaregiving
In this episode, Stephanie speaks to Lianne Kim, business coach and founder of Mamas and Co. who shares her insights into balancing and managing a business as a caregiver.
Lianne discusses her previous and current experiences caring for her father while managing and growing her very successful business. She gives suggestions on how to balance both to succeed and maintain positive mental health.
About Lianne:
Lianne Kim is a Business Coach and the founder of Mamas & Co. - a community for mama entrepreneurs. She is the host of the wildly popular podcast 'The Business of Thinking Big' and the author of the brand news book 'Building a Joyful Business'. Lianne is on a mission to help women make a great living on their own terms, doing what they love.
Find Lianne:
https://www.liannekim.com/
On Instagram: @liannekimcoach
Stephanie Muskat, MSW, RSW
Licenced Psychotherapist (Ontario, Canada)
Founder, Compassion in Caregiving
http://www.compassionincaregiving.com
Instagram: @compassionincaregiving
In this episode, Allison discusses what she has termed, The Relationship Seasons’ and discusses how partners in a romantic relationship can navigate possible shifts and breaks in a relationship, particularly when one partner is an overwhelmed caregiver for another loved one.
Allison Villa is a psychotherapist, relationship expert, creator of The 4 Relationship Seasons™, and host of theCouplehood podcast. She specializes in keeping couples’ thriving. Allison has been featured on numerous podcast, blogs, and media outlets, including Breakfast Television & CBC. Join her VIP community to get free relationship tools and inspiration:www.allisonvilla.com
Find Allison on instagram:@allison__villa
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Stephanie currently has openings for one-on-one therapy. To find out more and to see if she is a good fit please visit https://calendly.com/compassionincaregiving/30min?back=1&month=2021-06
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our instagram! @compassionincaregiving
The last 18+ months have been full of uncertainty, isolation and confusion. Add all our daily responsibilities the emotions we feel and life can seem hopeless and unmanageable. In this episode, Stephanie discusses real life examples of the hopeless and negative emotions she has witnessed in others in addition to her own and how she has navigated these emotions (and how you can too!).
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Stephanie currently has openings for one-on-one therapy. To find out more and to see if she is a good fit please visit https://calendly.com/compassionincaregiving/30min?back=1&month=2021-06
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our instagram! @compassionincaregiving
In this episode Stephanie discusses 4 main areas when caregivers can often feel guilt. Stephanie explores how these feelings can be managed in the moment and overtime. She also explores why some of us may be more prone to feelings of guilt than others.
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Stephanie currently has openings for one-on-one therapy. To find out more and to see if she is a good fit please visit https://calendly.com/compassionincaregiving/30min?back=1&month=2021-06
Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
For more visit our instagram! @compassionincaregiving
Bill Cohen is a caregiver support group leader and speaker, an Alzheimer's Association volunteer, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®, and the owner of Cohen Caregiving Support Consultants.
His loving and talented mother, Sheila, lost her home to Hurricane Katrina. Then, she lost her health, ability to create beautiful art and, ultimately, her life due to Alzheimer's. For almost 10 years, Bill was her primary caregiver and advocate, not just her elder son.
In today’s episode, Bill shares the details of his caregiving experience for his mom and how he turned that experience into his second ‘encore’ career, helping caregivers.
Bill lives in the Portland, Oregon area with his wife of 41 years, Lori.
Find Bill Cohen on his website: http://cohencaregivingsupport.com
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Stephanie currently has openings for one-on-one therapy. To find out more and to see if she is a good fit please visit https://calendly.com/compassionincaregiving/30min?back=1&month=2021-06
Join our FREE Facebook community!
For more visit our instagram! @compassionincaregiving
Patti LaFleur is a full-time care partner for her mom, Linda, who has been diagnosed with dementia and type 1 diabetes. She is also a significant support to her father who presently resides in a care facility and was diagnosed with dementia last year.
In this episode, Patti discusses the extraordinary care partnership she has developed with her mom and discusses how she has created an uplifting environment in her home which is full of laughter, dancing, art and love. She also talks about how she maintains her positive approach to daily life and makes it a priority to keep her mental health in check. A kindergarten teacher by profession, Patti recently made the difficult design to resign to focus on her parents and hopes to start her own family with her husband, Devin.
To find Patti on social media, visit her instagram account @misspatticake
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Stephanie currently has openings for one-on-one therapy. To find out more and to see if she is a good fit please visit https://calendly.com/compassionincaregiving/30min?back=1&month=2021-06
Join our FREE Facebook community!
For more visit our instagram! @compassionincaregiving
In today’s episode Stephanie talks about the different factors that can lead to significant feelings of overwhelm as a caregiver and speaks about ways we can manage the factors that can lead to significant stress and overwhelm. Stephanie pulls from her own experiences as a caregiver to illustrate what can lead to significant caregiver stress.
Blog post with the thought web example:
http://www.compassionincaregiving.com/news/how-to-create-a-thought-web-corresponding-post-to-podcast-episode-06
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Stephanie currently has openings for one-on-one therapy. To find out more and to see if she is a good fit please visit https://calendly.com/compassionincaregiving/30min?back=1&month=2021-06
Join our FREE Facebook community!
For more visit our instagram! @compassionincaregiving
Today Stephanie shares an anonymous* case example from her personal hospital experience to show how an entire family system can fall apart as a result of a loved one’s recent diagnosis and prognosis. Stephanie explores some of the steps one can take to overcome this break and the ‘restructuring’ of a family.
*Please note: details of this case have been changed to preserve the identity and confidentiality of the parties involved. Overall themes and main concepts remain the same.
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Stephanie currently has openings for one-on-one therapy. To find out more and to see if she is a good fit please visit https://calendly.com/compassionincaregiving/30min?back=1&month=2021-06
Join our FREE Facebook community!
For more visit our instagram! @compassionincaregiving
Today we are joined by Brian Smith-an engineer and professor, a father to a 7 year-old and a caregiver to his wife who has lived with Multiple sclerosis since 2006. In today's episode Brian talks about how he 'balances' (if balance is possible) it all, caregiver burnout, and his coping strategies to make it through each week. Brian is a true superhero- you really don't want to miss this episode!
Find Brian on Instagram @briansmith_nd
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Stephanie currently has openings for one-on-one therapy. To find out more and to see if she is a good fit please visit https://calendly.com/compassionincaregiving/30min?back=1&month=2021-06
Join our FREE Facebook community!
For more visit our instagram! @compassionincaregiving
Today we are joined by Registered Art Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Erica Curcio, who discusses the incredible impact art therapy can have both on the care partner and the loved ones they care for. In this episode Erica goes into detail about the type of art modalities that can be used in therapy sessions and the incredible outcomes she has seen both in and after sessions.
Find Erica on Instagram @thetravelingarttherapist or her website at www.ericacurcio.com.
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Stephanie currently has openings for one-on-one therapy. To find out more and to see if she is a good fit please visit https://calendly.com/compassionincaregiving/30min?back=1&month=2021-06
Join our FREE Facebook community!
For more visit our instagram! @compassionincaregiving
Stephanie talks about her previous caregiving experiences with her mom and a recent incident in which she was told her mom would pass away after she was rushed to hospital.
Stephanie highlights the differences in what helped her cope during this recent incident vs. her initial caregiving experiences and what strategies she has found assist her in coping with the difficulties and stressors of acting as a primary caregiver.
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Stephanie currently has openings for one-on-one therapy. To find out more and to see if she is a good fit please visit https://calendly.com/compassionincaregiving/30min?back=1&month=2021-06
Join our FREE Facebook community!
For more visit our instagram! @compassionincaregiving
Welcome to Caregiver's Compass! In this episode Stephanie talks all about what you can find on our podcast. This podcast is meant to uplift, inspire and provide education and awareness about caregiving.
Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com
Stephanie currently has openings for one-on-one therapy. To find out more and to see if she is a good fit please visit https://calendly.com/compassionincaregiving/30min?back=1&month=2021-06
Join our FREE Facebook community!
For more visit our instagram! @compassionincaregiving
This is Caregiver's Compass. An uplifting, inspirational podcast talking about all things caregiving. Therapist Stephanie Muskat takes you through real-life caregiving stories from her own therapeutic experience and gives you the raw and personal on her own caregiving experiences as a young caregiver. Plus hear from a plethora of incredible experts and caregivers who are living through their day-to-day journeys. It's all here at Caregiver's Compass.