Hope for the Caregiver

On a whim, Kate Washington took an online survey about her status as a caregiver. The results revealed she was "Already Toast."  Digging deeper, Kate learned her plight mirrored that of so many other caregivers.  Sharing her story against the backdrop of where America's vast number of caregivers are heading, Kate offers insights and a path she feels can be of great service to so many.  www.kawashi...

Have you ever left the stove on? Think about seniors, families with special needs children who cook or maybe accidently leave a fork on the plate in a microwave? There are many dangerous scenarios that can lead to kitchen fires.  Peter Thorpe,, a firefighter/paramedic invented a  product to help prevent these fires through his amazing invention, FIREAVERT. Enter the promo code CAREGIVER to receive...

Opening up the phone lines, i asked callers to the broadcast to share a song that's meant something to them in their caregiving journey.  From Doris Akers to Steve Nicks ...we had a quite a selection! www.hopeforthecaregiver.com/music 

Hugely successful songwriter, Jerry Salley shares wonderful insights into the Nashville songwriting world. "We all have a song in us!" - Jerry Salley Jerry's career spans 30+ years and an amazing list of huge stars have cut his songs.  Bringing an extraordinary talent and heart to this music, Jerry shares his powerful song, SAVING GRACE, about a man caring for his wife with Alzheimer's.  Jerry's h...

Shannon Serie, MD called the show to discuss the role of caregivers when their loved ones face a cancer diagnosis. Dr. Serie is the assistant professor of oncology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. An educated caregiver is an empowered caregiver, and Dr. Serie walked us through many of the issues patients and caregivers can expect.  www.hopeforthecaregiver.com  

In addition to all the challenges of caregiving, many family caregivers struggle under the additional burden of being treated poorly.  From accusations of stealing to abuse, the heartache of poor treatment wears down the already burdened hearts of countless caregivers.  Sadly, the isolation of caregiving keeps this issue in the dark, and abused caregivers may feel they're all alone in this.  We ta...

"Nancy, I'm going to die."  This is the message my guest heard from her mother-in-law, Lucille, as the inevitable drew closer. Yet, Lucille, had one more extraordinary gift for Nancy as they faced her death.   

Hilarious author, attorney, and fellow caregiver, Ellen Rittberg called the show to talk about her new book: "Why is Grandma Naked? Caring for Your Aging Parent."  

What can be said to people who suffer—and groan? When we see ourselves, loved ones, neighbors, and even our nation groaning under injustice, some may thunder out, "God's sovereign!" In those moments, however, may we instead state with deep conviction (and often through tears) that there is One who groans about injustice and suffering on our behalf …and He will one day make all things new. https://...

Sometimes, a meal can represent a powerful memory, and so I asked callers about a meal or dish with special significance to them as a caregiver.   

Emmy award winner, Leeza Gibbons, called the show to discuss her work in strengthening fellow caregivers. She also stuck around with us to do our (hilarious) "UNHEALTHY and HEALTHY Songs for Caregivers" Bit.  Check out all that she's doing at:  www.leezagibbons.com  

Many caregivers struggle with the often massive bills involved in caregiving. What do you do when the debt piles up? What about when an aging loved passes away and leaves an estate full of debt. Michael Grayson, PhD, shares a path to safety from financial despair and crushing debt. If you, or the estate of a loved one is facing debt collectors, contact Dr. Grayson and his staff before writing any...

One of the most influential people in my life continues to be my piano professor from college, John Arnn. Now retired from Nashville's Belmont University, John fills his day with composing, arranging hymns and choral pieces, writing his second novel ...and even taking time to appear on his student's podcast!  John's teaching greatly enhanced my love of arranging hymns, and in this episode, we disc...

Pat Moffett details his journey with his wife, Carmen, following her early onset diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease. His book, "Ice Cream in the Cupboard was turned into a movie that can be watched on Amazon Prime.   

As Caregivers, we certainly live with heartbreaking circumstances, but is there joy ...and even laughter?  Now in my my 35th year as a caregiver, I don't think Gracie and I could do this without keeping a sense of humor. In today's show, we talk about that, play a few hymns, and take a lot of calls. www.hopeforthecaregiver.com 

These were words to Gracie from a psychiatrist friend of mine who saw me staying around the clock at the hospital and turning into a zombie.  As caregivers, we tend to be tough, capable, and innovative. But just because we CAN do something, doesn't always mean we SHOULD do it.  www.hopeforthecaregiver.com  

In this podcast episode, John and I discussed a music theory principle and how it connects to caregivers. 

Back in the mid 1800's a blind minister wrote an amazing lyric that became one of the most beloved hymns of all time. This episode, from our 1/21/2021 broadcast, features that hymn ...as well as callers sharing their stories, fears, and triumphs.  I included this hymn on my CD, Songs for the Caregiver, and you can stream it by clicking on this link. https://music.amazon.com/albums/B01MDPNRHF?marke...

Paula from OK called to share her frustration and guilt for not finding a good church home during the COVID-19. Paula's got quite a story and she is VASTLY different than she was when she first called the show nearly two years ago.  Take a listen to her exuberance (and me teasing her for calling me "DAN"). I sent her to watch Stephens Valley Church online from Nashville TN until she finds a church...

Most caregivers deal with disorienting feelings and events. I call it the Caregiver FOG.   

As caregivers, do we listen to words of life?  This episode is from our radio broadcast 1/16/2021. We interview Dan Steiner, President of Preborn (Preborn.org), take calls, and have musical trivia that I offer from the keyboard. www.hopeforthecaregiver.com 

For this bonus episode of HOPE FOR THE CAREGIVER's podcast, we wanted to include 5 chapters of my audio book:  HOPE FOR THE CAREGIVER.  Enjoy ...! You can learn more at www.hopeforthecaregiver.com/books

After a challenging year of the COVID-19, businesses shut down, and civil unrest, we start off 2021 with a political powder keg.  Is it any wonder so many feel discouraged and unsettled?  Given that, I invited my longtime friend and pastor from Nashville, Jim Bachmann to talk about trusting God in unsettling times. As caregivers, we're no stranger to difficult times, and the lessons we learn in th...

We often start the broadcast with a trivia question, so I asked the audience to tell me which hymn contained this stanza ...and then we discussed how this affects the family caregiver.  ( plus I played it live on the keyboard, along with other hymns mentioned by callers.) Not a burden we bear, Not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief or a loss, Not a frown or a cross, ...

Sometimes, we set ourselves up for failure by setting lofty, but unattainable goals for ourselves as caregivers. When we ambitiously set goals that may be unrealistic, we can often discourage ourselves when they are unmet. Goals are important, but they need to reflect the reality of our circumstances.  John and I discussed this and other items in this episode. We also ended with an entertaining bi...