Island Treasures

Today's topic for caregivers is respite. We explore travelling with Elite Cruises and Vacations Travel on their caregiving cruise opportunities to make memories with your loved ones AND obtain a minimum of 2 hours a day of respite. We visit micro breaks to infuse moments of respite into your caregiving day when cruising isn't an option, yet just thinking about taking a cruise can be a he...

Are you wishing you could travel, perhaps like you used to do before caregiving? Well, this episode will introduce you to the possibility of doing just that. Listen to Kathy Shoaf as she shares her own caregiving story and as a registered nurse (geriatric neurology specialist) how she found a way to help folks enjoy life and have happy times through her business Elite Cruises & Vacations Trave...

Following Island Treasures' Season 3's first full episode called "The Brave Caregiver" with guest Jennifer Richey, this episode speaks to the courage it takes to step into caregiving. It provides a brief re-cap of Jennifer's 10 year caregiving journey. Jennifer is a coach and a Certified Caregiver Consultant and involved in CareyearAcademy.com 's Family Emergency Plan...

At the beginning of this episode Jennifer warns that her caregiving story is long! She has over 10 years of personal caregiving experience caring for her parents and grandfather. She has dealt with caregiving issues related to veterans, organ transplants, in-home caregiving, home modifications for aging in place, assisted living and hospice. Professionally, she is a certified life coach through Th...

Looking back over 2021. A few highlights from 2021 are discussed along with a tapestry story at the conclusion where the titles of the full episodes of Island Treasures Podcasts are woven into a story. You can watch the podcast story on You Tube. "Click Here to Leave a Comment"

Following Episode 19 of Season 2 of the full-episode called Preserving Memories, with guest Beth Douglas, this mini episode builds on the importance of preserving memories, especially with our loved ones while they are still with us. After accompanying my own mother-in-law over two decades earlier as her "lady-in-waiting" (caregiver) for what turned out to be her last trip, I discovered...

A beautiful conversation with Beth Douglas about caregiving for her parents and what she is now doing to encourage folks to capture the stories of their loved ones. Beth lost both of her parents to dementia-related illness and decided to use her skills to spread awareness and help caregivers as well. She is a writer and marketing communications professional with a passion for communications in the...

Excerpts from Episode 17 of Season 2 of Island Treasures Podcast captured in this mini video version for caregivers. You will hear Zander explain the calming effect of Fractals in Nature along with his techniques to focus on the positives to avoid burnout as a caregiver. This mini episode touches on resources and the benefit of seeking supports specific to your caregiving needs and he highlights t...

An episode filled with insights and resources. You'll want to pay close attention if you are a caregiver for a veteran, or if you are a veteran yourself. Zander Keig is an award-winning speaker, educator, author, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker with many distinguishing accolades including: 2020 NASW National Social Worker of the Year. Zander is a first-generation American of Mexican herit...

Another fabulous find for caregivers of folks with dementia. Hear all about this opportunity to cruise with your loved one who has dementia or other illness so you can create memories whilst enjoying a dementia-friendly environment. This opportunity includes respite for caregivers. For more information on this travel opportunity check out www.elitecruisesandvacationstravel.com and be sure to watch...

Island Treasures for Caregivers Mini podcast where Alison van Schie, Certified Caregiver Consultant and the host of Island Treasures shares a few thoughts on the most recent full-length episode (#13 Skills Retained: Strengths-based Approach to Dementia Care) where guest and creator of thedawnmethod.com Judy Cornish explained the strengths-based, person-centred and kind approach to dementia care. A...

October 5, 2021 marks one year since airing the trailer for Island Treasures. This episode celebrates the development of the podcast by introducing each episode and each of the guests and if you click here you can watch the  video version of this podcast and see those who have provided such great content for this past year. Join me in celebration and on this occasion if you like the episode, pleas...

In this episode you will hear about the strengths-based, person-centered approach to dementia care from my guest Judy Cornish. Judy Cornish is an author, founder of the Dementia & Alzheimer’s Wellbeing Network (DAWN®), creator of the DAWN Method® of dementia care, and a retired elder law attorney. Her two books (The Dementia Handbook and Dementia With Dignity) take person-centered dementia car...

Island Treasures for Caregivers - MINI podcast, where Alison van Schie, the host of Island Treasures, shares a few thoughts on the most recent full-length podcast episode, which was "A Parting Gift" with guest Arlene Jacobs. Alison reflects on how meaningful the parting gift can be as this episode was fresh in her mind as she attended a family member's Celebration of Life. The mini...

From a caregiving perspective, Arlene Jacobs talks about the benefits of pre-planning final arrangements and how to broach those difficult topics. Arlene was a full-time caregiver for her son who passed away at 18 months of age. She was then the caregiver for her mom and talks about her mom's situation and how she was able to prepare for her passing; and now Arlene continues to be the primary...

Introducing Island Treasures for Caregivers - MINI podcast, where Alison van Schie, the host of Island Treasures, shares a few thoughts on the most recent full-length podcast episode, which was "Through the Lens of a Long-Haul Caregiver" with Chandra White-Cummings. Alison adds some personal reflection and suggests how there are nuggets/treasures within each episode for listeners to glea...

Meet Chandra White-Cummings, a self-described long-haul caregiver with vast experiences from her own caregiving journey of 33 years and counting. Chandra delves deeply into lessons about the ethos of care emphasizing how important it is to care for others. She couples her experiences as a long-haul caregiver caring for her chronically ill son, caregiving coach for a second son; and caregiving part...

Erin Galyean, author of "Badass Advocate: Becoming the Champion Your Seriously Ill Loved One Deserves" shares her insights from lessons learned as her sister and dad's patient advocate. Erin's experiences and professional skills equipped her to create strategies to help other patient advocates and caregivers build on the foundation she has laid so they can start strong in their...

Chris Maclellan, founder of the Whole Care Network shares his story about his heartfelt caregiving experiences for his partner, Richard, through to the next chapter of his caregiving journey where he is now advocating for all caregivers. As a family caregiver advocate, Chris reminds caregivers that we know our loved ones best – we are their Chief Everything Officer (CEO). He also reminds family ca...

Lisa Kendall, the caregiver to caregivers and social worker specializing in gerontology, brings a wealth of knowledge as she speaks about challenges during caregiving. Not every caregiver’s relationship with their care recipient is idyllic. There may be painful family functioning in your past and adverse childhood experiences that impact the adult child when called upon to provide care. If this is...

The Dementia Puzzle is an idea that originates in this episode as a way to understand what is going on as you travel through caregiving for your loved one with dementia. This episode highlights the bond of a mother and daughter relationship, and speaks to the reality of the changes and losses caused by the slide of dementia. You will meet Sue Johnston as she recounts her experiences through the st...

For Toni Gitles her 14-year long experience as her mother's caregiver provided opportunities to learn how to become a powerful advocate and how to apply her skills to make it the best caregiving journey possible. She did this while intentionally creating moments both Toni and her Mom would treasure. Toni learned the importance of many things such as listening to her intuition and being honest...

This episode came about because of the original song "Doesn't Know Me", by Pat Thibodeau. Pat is a singer/songwriter and a friend of mine and I had reached out to ask her to write a jingle for the podcast. What she wrote surpassed my expectations with the creation of "Doesn't Know Me" - a song about the losses of Alzheimer's disease. Pat's father had Alzheim...

Today’s podcast introduces you to an adult-child caregiver, Betsy Haddad. Betsy’s father, Edward, has been diagnosed with middle stage Alzheimer’s. Betsy describes her caregiving role as being supportive in nature, as her mom is Edward’s primary caregiver. Edward is a gifted musician, and you will hear him playing in the background of the introduction. We hear of Betsy’s doting love for her father...

Today Anne Sands takes us along on an emotional roller coaster. Her husband Stu has been diagnosed with dementia. Throughout her caregiving journey Anne has learned a lot and wants to help others by advocating that they get their loved one into the medical system as soon as possible so they are eligible for supports, respite and day programs, and placement in residential care. Stu was on the list...