The Empowered Caregiver

Caregiving is both rewarding and stressful at the same time.  In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB continues the series on recovering from burnout.  She will discuss:  *What anticipatory grief is.  * How to grieve a loved who is still alive.  * How an emotional release valve will help you.  The Empowered Caregiver podcast is a safe space for caregivers who are in need of en...

Caregiving can be meaningful and overwhelming at the same time.  In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB (the voice of caregiving) will walk you through a 10-episode series on how to recover from burnout.  In today’s episode we will discuss:  * The importance of setting boundaries * Describe how to eliminate secondary demands * Scripts you can use to help you set boundaries. T...

Caregiving brings purpose however, it can also bring overwhelm and exhaustion.  In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB (the voice of caregiving) talks about the importance of recovering from burnout.  The next ten episodes will be dedicated to helping caregivers recover from burnout.  This episode discusses: *The myth of the empty cup. * The physiology of burnout. * The impor...

Caregiving is a heavy load that can be rewarding and overwhelming at the same time.  In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB (the voice of caregiving) talks about the reality of contacting an attorney about facility abuse and neglect of your loved one. She discusses: *The definition of neglect. *What signs of abuse/neglect to look for. *Recommendations on things to do before c...

Caregiving is sacred and important work, however it can be overwhelming.  In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB will talk about the emotions of removing her dad from a memory care facility after only 5 months.  Today’s episode will discuss:   * The importance of remaining our loved one’s advocate, after they move into a facility.  * Five reasons I had to remove my dad from t...

The Empowered Caregiver podcast was created by ValerieB, the voice of caregiving who talks about the realities and emotions experienced on the caregiving journey.  In this episode, she discusses the importance of counting all the facility costs.  She talks about:  *Ensuring you understand all facility costs, to avoid surprises.  * Three underutilized funding resources available to help cover facil...

Welcome to the Empowered Caregiver podcast where your host, ValerieB serves as the voice of caregiving by discussing the realities of the caregiving journey.  In this episode, she discusses the red flags in facilities that some families see too late. She will discuss: *Identifying red flags. * Listening to your loved one’s concerns or watching their body language. * Being your loved one’s advocate...

Welcome to the Empowered Caregiver podcast where we talk all things caregiving.  In this episode, ValerieB (the voice of caregiving) will have an honest conversation about the reality of learning how to gently complain when you see red flags in a facility. She will discuss: * How to put aside the fear of complaining. * How to document your concerns, with specifics. * How to escalate your concerns....

Caregiving brings love and purpose however it can also bring a heavy load and burnout.  In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB talks openly about the realities and emotions that some caregivers experience while trying to make a facility comfortable for their loved one. In this episode, ValerieB discusses: * How to make the facility feel familiar, like home. * How to help your...

The caregiving journey is like no other.  While it can bring a sense of purpose, it can also be very exhausting.  In this episode of The Empowered Caregiver, ValerieB talks about the importance of family presence when your loved one is in a facility.    This episode shares: * Why family presence is so important. * The effectiveness of being a calm observer. * How to complain or escalate a concern...

Caregiving is important and life-changing; however it can be a very heavy weight that turns into anger, stress, burnout, and exhaustion.  In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB has become the voice of caregivers and talks about what happens when family stops visiting their loved one who is now living in a facility. She discusses: *Why families stop visiting. * The importance...

Caregiving brings love, care, and sense of purpose; however it can also bring burnout.  In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB talks openly about the caregiver’s experience as it relates to the care plan meeting.  In this episode, the host discusses: * What a care plan meeting is for. * Why a care plan meeting is necessary. * Your role in the care plan meeting. The Empowered...

Caregiving brings purpose and also stress, anxiety, anger, and burnout.  In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB talks openly about the emotions attached to the first 48 hours after putting a loved one in a facility. She discusses:   * How to make the transition better for your loved. * How to begin establishing relationships with the staff. * What some caregivers feel and sho...

Caregiving brings love and purpose however it can bring burnout and frustration.  In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB talks openly about the emotions behind selecting a facility for your loved one.   In this episode, she discusses: * Things to look for in a facility.  * Why choosing a good facility is important.  * Bigger cost does not mean better care. The Empowered Careg...

Caregiving brings purpose, however it can also bring resentment especially if siblings don’t help.  In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB talks openly about the emotions that settle in when sibling don’t provide any assistance.   In this episode, the host discusses:  * The emotional side of absentee siblings.  * How to recognize the difference between who your sibling is tod...

Caregiving brings many questions, especially when considering the move from part-time to full-time caregiving.  In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB discusses how caregivers know when it’s time to consider full-time caregiving.  In this episode, she will discuss:  *Some of the signs that it is time to shift. * Facing the decision of this major turning point or crossroad.  *...

Caregiving is a challenging role that brings about purpose, however, it can also bring  overwhelm and exhaustion. In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB discusses the importance of patience in caregiving in this bonus episode of the Dementia, Dignity, and Care series for the month of April. She will talk about: * Why your patience is running thin. * What to do in your moments...

Caregiving brings purpose and care however it can also be overwhelming and heavy.  In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB continues the Dementia, Dignity, and Care series.  In this final episode in the series, the focus will be on a caregiver’s brain health. In this episode ValerieB discusses: * Why brain health is so important. * Change the question of can dementia be preven...

Caregiving brings purpose, love, and care however it can feel heavy especially when caring for a loved one living with Dementia.  In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB will continue the April series, Dementia, Dignity, and Care and talks about dealing with hallucinations. In this episode, ValerieB will: * Define hallucinations * Explain why they sometimes occur. * Recommend...

Caregiving brings, purpose, love, and knowledge, however it can also bring burnout, anger, and a vast amount of emotions.  In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB talks openly about some of the hidden emotions caregivers may experience, especially if you are doing it all alone.  In this episode, ValerieB will discuss: * The moments a caregiver feels truly alone. * How to griev...

Caregiving brings love, purpose, and sometimes extended care.  It can also be overwhelming and exhausting especially when caring for a loved one with Dementia.  We are still in our April series, focused on Dementia care. In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB talks openly about sundowning, what she knows all too well.  In this episode she will discuss: *What sundowning is. *...

Caregiving brings so much purpose however it can be quite exhausting.  In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB will continue the Dementia, Dignity, and Care series for the month of April by talking about “How to Talk With a Loved One Who Has Dementia”.   In this episode, ValerieB will discuss:  *Why communication is different with a person living with Dementia.  * One of the b...

Caregiving brings love and purpose, however it can be challenging especially for a loved one who is living with Dementia and/or Alzheimer’s. In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB talks about the hidden emotions many caregivers do not freely express when caring for a loved one with this disease. In this episode ValerieB will talk about “What a Dementia Caregiver Needs”.  She...

This month, the Empowered Caregiver podcast will do a special series on Dementia.  In this first episode of Dementia, Dignity, and Care, ValerieB will explore “The Early Signs of Dementia that Families Sometimes Miss”.   What can be viewed as normal aging, stress, or forgetfulness is sometimes the start of something more serious. In this episode, ValerieB will discuss: *The common early warning si...

Caregiving brings love, purpose, and hope, however it can also bring anger, burnout, exhaustion, and more.  In this episode of the Empowered Caregiver podcast, ValerieB talks openly about the hidden emotions that caregivers dont usually talk about but experience on a regular basis.  In today’s episode:  * I just want to check-in with you and let you know that you are in my thoughts.  * i want you...