Caregiver's Compass

 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 talk...

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...

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...

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 a...

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...

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...

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...

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.  Visit us on...

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.  Visit us on our w...

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 kno...

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...

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 normaliz...

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 proc...

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.  Visit us on our website: www.compassionincaregiving.com   For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiv...

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 Youn...

In this episode Stephanie discusses her recent major life changes (she had a baby!) and upcoming changes coming to Caregiver’s Compass.  Visit us on our website: www.compassionincaregiving.com   For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving *The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only . It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice,...

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...

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 w...

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 per...

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...

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. Visit us on our website: www.compassionincaregiving.com   For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregiving *The content shared on th...

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...

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 suppor...

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 ove...

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 ove...