CaregiverDave.com

Donna Thomson, author of the best-selling book, The Four Walls of My Freedom will be interviewed by Dave, The Caregiver's Caregiver, Wednesday, June 17, at noon PDT.  Her book portrays the account of raising a son with cerebral palsy and her passionate appeal to change the way we think about "the good life." Donna Thomson’s life was forever changed by her son Nicholas. Donna gave up her career to become his primary caregiver and embarked on a second career as a disability activist, author, and consultant. She will discuss her experience in treading delicately through daily care, emergencies, and medical bureaucracy as Donna and her family cope with her son’s condition while maintaining value and dignity. She brilliantly demonstrates the vital contribution that people with disabilities make to our society and addresses the ethics and economics of giving and receiving care and will also discuss  ways that communities can help caregivers.

Join Dave, The Caregiver's Caregiver Radio Program, as he interviews former caregiver Janice Lynch Schuster, an essayist, poet, and--lately--an illustrator. Her writing often appears in The Washington Post, in the Health section and in Local Opinions. She is a contributor to The Shriver Report and Maria Shriver's Architects of Change. For many years, she focused on writing about end-of-life care, aging, and family caregiving, and has been an advocate for improving systems and policies around each issue. More recently, a chronic pain condition has led her to advocate for better pain management and policies. She is a coauthor of several books, including Handbook for Mortals: Guidance for People Facing the End of Life, from Oxford University Press. She now works as a writer for Magellan Health.

Cindy Laverty is an empowerment/transition coach, and she specializes in working with family caregivers who are experiencing severe burnout or who have come to the end of their caregiving journey and are transitioning back into a world where caring for a loved one no longer dictates life. She has affectionately been called “The Fairy Godmother of Caregiving” and she is dedicated to helping caregivers understand that a life a lost to caregiving defeats the purpose and is no life at all.  Her No Compromise Caregiving System has helped thousands of caregivers reclaim their lives without turning their back on their loved one. Cindy knows first-hand the caregiver journey after caring for her ex in-laws for 6 years – 15 years after her divorce. She fell down the rabbit hole of caregiver burnout and figured out how to not only survive…but thrive in the process. “Most of the women I coach are all going through some form of transition - whether it be a divorce...a major move...career change...the end of caregiving for a loved one...or just a realization that FINE is no longer okay. When someone experiences the Lionhearted Woman process, transformation happens and it's a joyful experience. I've done a lot of things in my life to set me on this path. Professionally I am a Coach, Author, Speaker, Radio Talk Show Host. Join Dave Nassaney, The Caregiver's Caregiver, as he interviews this amazing woman who is passionate about helping her clients become Lionhearted Women - women who are tired of living a life that is just "FINE" and want to live a life that lights them up from the inside out!  You can contact Cindy at:  http://lionheartedwoman.com

Join Dave, The Caregiver's Caregiver, as he interviews occupational therapist, Karen Murphey, Director of Clinical Services at VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies.  She will be talking all about Macular Degeneration and vision care today, and the special needs and challanges to caregivers with this disability. (A common problem, especially with the elderly.

Dr. Deborah J. Hrivnak is a professional speaker, coach, & author. Deborah served as a special education teacher and administrator, as well as a university professor, where she was awarded the Outstanding Teacher of the Year. A television documentary for the Nebraska State Department of Education also recognizes her notable work with learning-disabled students, and she has served on numerous committees at the district and state levels. Deborah holds a doctorate in educational leadership and is a certified life coach.  Deborah enjoys working with people and believes everyone can live life from the hash marks to the uprights! Join Dave Nassaney, The Caregiver's Caregiver, as he interviews Dr. Deborah Hrivnak, Wednesday, 5/13/15 at noon, PDT (and anytime, 24/7, afterwards on recorded podcast) Call in number for live broadcast is 213 943 3630

Are you a family caregiver? If you provide regular and unpaid care to a loved one, you are a family caregiver, the backbone to the caregiving industry. Join Dave, The Caregiver's Caregiver, as he interviews Greg Johnson, the creator and director of EmblemHealth's Care for the Family Caregiver, an initiative that was started nearly 15 years ago as part of the Integrative Wellness program, this Wed. May 6, (at noon, PDT, 3pm, EDT, and afterwards anytime, 24/7 on recorded podcast) One of many definitions for family caregivers is: "Someone who shows up, and stays to help," and: one who is, "Always On Call."  One in three people in America are unpaid family caregivers, rendering a value to the healthcare system of $450 Billion Dollars! Caregivers need care too! Their goal is to offer information, resources and support that caregivers need to avoid becoming care recipients. We recognize that family caregivers are often the forgotten or silent patients. Many caregivers endure physical, emotional and economic challenges without adequate support. Most need help in order to maintain their own health and quality of life. EmblemHealth's Care for the Family Caregiver initiative recognizes the health needs of the "silent patients" and is designed to serve as a resource. We encourage you to see us as a supportive partner in your caregiving journey.

Join Dave, The Caregiver's Caregiver, as he interviews Ellen Nielsen, a marketing and communications consultant based in Alberta, Canada.  She was also a caregiver to two parents with dementia (at the same time). Her parents moved in to care together and were fortunate to share a room until her mother's passing in 2003. Ellen's caregiving duties included a lot of things she would rather have not done, including theft of a car, and yet she considers herself better and stronger for having done them. Her father passed in 2013, now making Ellen an ex-caregiver, a role which she says is just as challenging to embrace as the original task of becoming a caregiver. You can find Ellen on facebook at facebook.com/caregiverconnexion - connection spelled with an x in the middle (because everything has to be just a little more complicated for caregivers - thanks Ellen).

Rick spent 8 ½ years in the Marine Corps, however, he was medically separated in June 2011. During his time on active duty, he completed 2 combat tours to Iraq, was a helicopter mechanic, aerial gunner, and instructor. He suffered silently with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for just over 7 years and was just about as close as one could be to ending their life before his amazing wife was somehow able to pull him out of the darkest of places. Join Dave, The Caregiver's Caregiver as he interviews Rick & Tonya Shaw, Wednesday, 4/22/15 at noon, PDT). Tonya acted as a caregiver to her PTSD husband for years, trying to save her family, and her marriage that was destined for divorce. However, her goal was not going to be an easy one.. Rick began self-medicating with alcohol mixed with prescribed medication just to get a couple hours of sleep at night. However, the onset of sleepwalking and nightmares became a nightly occurrence. Shortly after, he began to wake up with flashbacks and was convinced that their house was under attack. He then began waking up, pacing in his home with a pistol. His wife would follow him around to make sure he did not hurt anyone. Rick began isolating himself, and his behavior now adversely affected his job. Eventually, Tonya was able to get Rick to open up publicly about how PTSD had not only affected him, but also his wife and everyone around him. The suicide rate for veterans is staggering and almost impossible to fathom. In fact, veterans make up 20% of the suicides in the United States, but only make up 10% of the population. In whole numbers, last year, just under 40,000 people committed suicide in the U.S. Of that, just over 8,000 were veterans. Rick and Tonya have now devoted their lives to PTSD awareness of this misunderstood disorder. Please share this link with anyone who is suffering with PTSD. This is a "must see" show!

Join Dave Nassaney, The Caregiver’s Caregiver, as he interviews Author, Carol Levine, the director of The Families and Health Care Project at The United Hospital Fund, a health services research and philanthropic organization whose primary mission is to shape positive change in health care for the people of New York (and elsewhere). Their campaign, Next Step in Care, provides easy-to-use guides to help family caregivers and health care providers work closely together to plan and implement safe and smooth transitions for chronically or seriously ill patients. Transitions are moves between care settings, for example, hospital to home or rehab facility, or the start or end of home care agency services. Because transitions are often rushed, miscommunication and errors can occur. Her book, Living in the Land of Limbo: Fiction and Poetry about Family Caregiving, is a first-of-its-kind anthology of short stories and poetry about family caregiving by renowned authors and others has just been published. Compiled and edited by Carol Levine, and published by Vanderbilt University Press, the new volume is a valuable addition to the national discussion on family caregiving and to the Fund’s work, which has focused on improving partnerships between caregivers and health care professionals since 1996.

Join Dave Nassaney, The Caregiver's Caregiver, Wednesday, 4/1/15 at noon, PST, (AND AFTERWARDS ON RECORDED PODCAST) as he interviews RICK LAUBER, author, creator of CAREGIVER’S GUIDE FOR CANADIANS, and former caregiver to both his elderly parents. You may either call in at (213) 943 3630, or the link is:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/davenassaney/2015/04/08/caregiving-for-boomers-the-sandwich-generation-elderly-parent-decisions Rick will be discussing: •What should you expect when caring for your elderly parents? •Should your parents stay at home, or move to assisted living? •Who should you ask for help when you need it – siblings, professionals? •How do you balance caregiving responsibilities with your personal life? •Burning the Candle at Both Ends - The Importance of Caregiver Self-Care (focusing on the benefits of respite and some ideas of how to take a break) In Rick's latest book, "Caregiver's Guide For Canadians," the author guides you through typical caregiving issues and includes checklists for differing areas of eldercare, so that you can better manage and ensure that you’re providing the best care possible for your loved one. Hear him live, Wednesday, 4/8/15, noon, PDT, or listen to the recorded podcast AFTER THE LIVE SHOW, anytime, 24/7. Share this link with anyone you know who would benefit from this discussion.