Happy Healthy Caregiver

Natalie Elliott Handy and JJ Elliott Hill are sisters. Together, along with a third sister Emilie, they manage care for their mom who is living with Parkinson’s disease. Natalie is also a caregiver for her spouse, Jason, who receives palliative care to help navigate his cancer journey.

In this episode, we discuss all the total messiness around family caregiving. We talk about letting go of perfectionism, getting access to your parent’s finances, the benefits of palliative care, and they both confess their guilty pleasures.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod180

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Meet Peter Rosenberger who has been a family caregiver for over 38 years for a spouse with severe disabilities. Peter is fluent in the language of caregiver and has navigated a medical nightmare that has mushroomed to 85+ major operations—including the amputation of both of his wife Gracie’s legs below the knee.

In this episode, Peter recounts his experience attempting to admit himself to a mental hospital, discusses why caregiving shouldn't hinder us from embracing life, shares his strategies for finding moments of stillness and pursuing energizing hobbies, and outlines the ways he spreads hope among caregivers.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod179

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Meet family caregiver Jason van den Brand who managed end-of-life care for his grandmother and father over an eight-year span. This experience led him to start his own company, Wellahead, which helps families get matched with the best way to pay for long term care.

In this episode we talk about how Jason managed care from a 3,000 mile distance, how his family paid for long term care for his family members, why millions of dollars in veterans benefits for care goes unused, why you shouldn’t wait to use long term care insurance, what to avoid when paying for care, how owning your a home provides long term care payment options for consideration, and how his family values posted in his office inform how he celebrates his personal successes.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod178

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Nicole Will cared for her grandma Betty and has dedicated her career to enhancing the well-being of older adults, their families, and healthcare professionals. Nicole's approach blends heartfelt advocacy with strategic innovation, making her a sought-after voice in the care economy.

In this episode we discuss how vulnerability instigates change in our lives and in the care economy, tips for those looking into senior living options, the hope that is being delivered from agetech initiatives, healthy grab and go meal replacements, and why living with your grandma as a teenager comes with mixed emotions.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod177

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Paula Muller helped care for her grandmother and has a lifelong passion for technology applied to healthcare. Paula grew up in Chile and was very close to her grandmother and remains close to her mother. Her passions for family and technology came together in her product that we learn about called CareLink360.

In this episode we discuss the caregiver guilt that comes with living from a distance from those requiring care, ideas to create connection with verbal and non-verbal care recipients, methods to infuse joy and energy into life, and ways technology can be a part of a caregiver’s care team.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod176

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Edla Prevette is a mental health counselor who cared for both of her parents. Edla’s professional and personal care experiences are being poured into a program she has developed for adult children of aging parents. In this episode, Edla shares ways in which you can increase cooperation and decrease conflict, ideas for a caregiver’s to find their safe place, tips for handling different personality temperaments, and how to incorporate ‘exercise snacks’ into your day.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod175

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Loretta Woodward Veney cared for her mom Doris who lived with dementia as well as for her aunt, sister, and husband. Loretta’s care experiences prompted her to write a few books, become a trained LEGO Serious Play facilitator, and inspire others through her speaking events and engaging workshops.

In this episode we talk about and how creative play with Legos can help care partners connect and remain calm, why identifying those in your care village is critical to your success, the financial strains of caregiving and frustrations around the Medicaid Waiver process, how her faith community surrounded her with goodness after the loss of her husband, and why Loretta’s current self-care mantra is ‘stay and play’.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod174

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Frances Hall is the founder and executive director of ACAP, Adult Children of Aging Parents, a nationally unique nonprofit organization that she founded when she was the caregiver for her mother. In 2012, Frances began offering monthly educational programs for her fellow faculty and university staff and then for her broader North Carolina community. Since then, ACAP has grown to nine chapters in four states and continues to grow.

In this episode, learn what makes the ACAP Community different from a typical support group, how Frances gave herself grace while caregiving, and how journaling was healing in her caregiving season.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod173

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Matt Perrin spent eight and a half years surrounded by dementia as a member of the sandwich generation. He was caring for his mother, Rosemary, who was living with Alzheimer's Disease. And simultaneously helping his wife Lindsay care for her father, Steve, who was living with Lewy Body Dementia. Steve lived in Matt and Lindsay’s home with their three girls and dog. Matt's lived experience gave him a new professional purpose and unlocked a passion for creating that he never knew he had. He found solace in writing and continued his practice with his popular weekly email series.

In this episode, we discuss unearned caregiver guilt, win/win perspectives, social connections that led to being in a documentary, and new career paths inspired by caregiving.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod172

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

I thought it fitting to publish this episode during November, which is National Family Caregivers Month, and this year’s theme is #caregiversconnect. A great theme since, on this show, we are about creating a connective community of family caregivers and connecting (or I say fast-tracking) you to the help and support you need, crave, or don’t even know about.

I have a relentless passion for seeing and helping family caregivers. When I started Happy Healthy Caregiver, I had a clear mission of providing support and resources to family caregivers, and I wanted to do this full-time. And I also need an income. I worked on Happy Healthy Caregiver while working full-time as a sandwich generation caregiver. I had no business starting a business, and yet I knew this was needed. I felt isolated, alone, overwhelmed, unhealthy, and drowning as a sandwich-generation working caregiver. If we change nothing, then nothing changes. I struggled with how to monetize HHC. I always wanted people who could afford my services (like organizations and companies) to pay for support for family caregivers. Caregivers are already paying and doing too much.

I monetize my business in 2 ways.

1. Accidental influencer – content, ads, partnerships with companies I like and respect who could offer a product or service caregivers may need or want
2. Professional speaker – Talking about self-care and caregiving. I’m hired by faith communities, nonprofits, and employers to share my story and fast-track their members or employees to resources I wish I knew about. I validate their experiences and tell them that support is available and where to find it.

Today’s episode is primarily coming from a presentation I prepared for SHRM ATL conference about balancing carer and caregiving. Attendees at this conference were primarily those who work in Human Resources.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod171

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW