Inspired Caring

Ombudsman is a funny word, but what they do is no laughing matter.  Every State in the US is required to have this Department of Health and Human Services program to ensure seniors, living in Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing have a neutral party advocate to help uphold their resident rights.  In this episode you will meet Beth Nodes, an Ombudsman in Nebraska who is passionate about sen...

I have been wound up really really tight the last couple of years and as I step in to my new role, I've realized how critical it is for me to UNCLENCH before I can fire on all cylinders.  Here I share about how I figured out I was having an issue and what I'm doing to let go.  Keep in mind, my self-care is pretty good, I've been meditating daily (I have 167 session streak!), exercise, dr...

There is so much frustration out there when trying to communicate with our family members who have dementia. They may not have an official diagnosis, but come on, you KNOW something isn’t the same and yet keep trying to have conversations the same way. When that doesn’t work you get mad and frustrated. These 4 tips are game changers.

We can count on life to constantly throw challenges our way and I do my share of bobbing and weaving trying to "keep it all together".  Here are some of the key ways I have continued to find success despite the uncertainties that keep popping up.

You are going to use 365 days of time in 2022.   John Maxwell says we are "spending our life preparing or repairing".  In this episode I share how taking some time at the front end of the year, helped me manage unexpected family circumstances midway through.  In a world where so much feels out of our control, don't surrender to giving all of your power away! Invest some time now to...

2 Hospital and rehab stays, my kid's graduation, losing a friend, going through stuff at the parents house, relaxed weekly family meals, it has been a roller coaster of a year and I've shown up for all of it.  Feeling all the feels, experiencing the ups and downs, I'm proud of what I've created and how we have navigated some of the toughest situations there are.  Join me in this episode...

Getting together for the holidays can bring a lot of joy, it can also bring a lot of frustrations and concerns.  This year when you get together, when you see that your parents aren't "on point" with something, rather than jumping to completely annoyed or angry, become a curious observer.   In this episode, I share specific areas to pay attention to and questions to ask them during your...

WOAH - two very sensitive and hot topics are being addressed today, food quality and staffing concerns in senior living.  Here are some initial thoughts on both of these subjects. www. InspiredSenior.com michele@inspiredsenior.com

It was a thrill to sit down with, Jon Day, the Alzheimer's Association Nebraska Chapter Walk Director, to talk about who the Association helps and what programs and services they offer.  They are for everyone, regardless of what dementia diagnosis has been received or if you are a family or professional caregiver.  They offer education, support, volunteer opportunities, and more! There i...

This episode is not referring to how much energy you have to get something done (or motivation for that matter). The kind of energy I’m referring to is around the concept that we are all energetic beings with powerful energetic connections to one another. When you show up to a situation, or room full of people, or the person you are caring for, your partner & children, your work place, or even...

Caregiving can be so hard and there are days when emotionally I'd be incredibly drained.  It wasn't that something had changed, and I needed additional help, it was more of feeling challenged that there was no end in sight.  And the obvious 'end' to my caregiver role meant I was going to lose this person that I loved.  In this episode I share some ways to mentally re-set in order to...

When we are surrounded by people that are struggling with aging, it can start to confuse us about what is possible for us as we age.  In this episode I share a startling fact about your DNA and offer up my aging role models.  What we do now, makes a difference in our lives today and for how we are doing tomorrow.  We can do this!

Knowing what your love language is and the love language of the person you care for (and even other family members!), can help with communication, feeling appreciated and loving on each other.  According to Dr. Gary Chapman there are 5 Love Languages that we operate within, Acts of Service, Gifts, Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch, Quality Time.  You can take this quick and free asses...

We stay stuck when the same thoughts keep looping in our heads.  If days  start running in to each other, it's really easy to hold on to the same  thoughts! In this episode, I offer a few new thoughts for you to try on  when you begin to feel out of sorts.  Try them on and see what you  think!

Today I'm having a moment of feeling really sad and ripped off about how things are playing out in the health of the people I love.  We have lost so much time because of dementia and cancer.  My wish is that you feel supported and all the love, while we figure out how to best take care of ourselves along the way.

Spoiler Alert - every outcome of me not drinking has been positive, across the board.  In this episode I share what those changes looked like with my body, relationships, mind, time and more.  Enjoy this final episode in this 3 part series of my journey on stopping drinking.   

My relationship with alcohol had bothered me for years and in 2018, I FINALLY figured it out.  I had my last drink January 23rd.  The first 6 months I definitely was looking over my shoulder and trying to figure out how to navigate this choice.  Resources felt slim and I wasn't sure how to make it through. The Podcast that helped me the most was The Life Coach School by Brooke Casti...

This is an ongoing conversation I began about a year ago.  In 2018, I completely changed my relationship with alcohol. Posting videos on Social Media, I invited people in to my experience and as a result, many have messaged me with what their experience is. In this episode, I share the main reasons why I stopped drinking.  I mention this is going to be a 2 part series, but will expand it to 3.  Th...

It is easy to find a lot of things to complain about these days and there are plenty of people ready to listen (hello Internet).  But putting words to our thoughts give them power, and when you are taking care of someone, that can make the days feel even harder and longer.  In this episode, I share the importance of choosing our words carefully. (PS, I'm not perfect at it, but I'm aware...

In my years of experience, I've never heard of a senior living community that makes you sign a year long lease.  In fact, what is required to move out is giving 30 days notice.  In this episode I share a couple of reasons why someone may make the decision to transition to senior living and a resource that can help make the process so much easier.  Remember, once you've given it a sh...

This is a comment that I see over and over in caregiver support groups and have also heard a lot in recently in healthcare.  Based on my experience and what I've read, there are three phases we go through.  Digging deep to gut it out, reconnecting with 'why', and considering shifting gears to make a change. 

I haven't met a caregiver that isn't riddled with guilt.  Guilty is an emotion you are feeling generated by what you are THINKING.  In this episode I talk about my recent experience of feeling guilty, why spending energy on guilt isn't useful and what you can do.  Change your thinking, change how you feel.

Join me in this episode as I visit with my mom, Deborah Ferris, as she shares some strategies on how to have a good visit with your older family member.  Ultimately the key was being willing to pivot when things were not going as expected. Have a monologue in case they aren't up for participating in the conversation. Take pictures or a pet to talk about Do what's right for YOU Have a plan goi...

This quick tip came from a Nurse and C.N.A. (Certified Nursing Assistant) who care for elderly adults and are constantly watching how families are interacting with their loved one.  Moving too fast is a big contributor to miscommunication as well as potential injury.  

There are times when it feels like everything is happening all at once.  In this episode, I share 2 of my key reflections on how I keep going when it all feels like too much.