Caregiver's Compass

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 winning

psychotherapist, international speaker, clinical
consultant, and director of Natacha
Pennycooke Psychotherapy a group private
practice. In her over 11 years of practice, Natacha's work is guided from an anti-
oppressive, healing focused, trauma informed, anti-Black racism lens and racial justice framework, to unpack and challenge Euro-
centric ideologies, systemic oppression and generational traumas that have been detrimental to racialized communities. She has presented at a number of international and national psychological conferences; and, is sought after for her passionate speaking style and expertise on mental health, coping, racial
trauma and healing to speak at various corporate and community events across
Canada, and beyond. Natacha is a founding member of the Association of Black Psychologists - Toronto Chapter (ABPsi-TO), and is the current recipient of the ByBlacks People’s Choice Award for Best Canadian Counsellor of 2020.

Find Natacha: 

On Instagram: @natachapennycooke.therapy

http://www.natachapennycooke.com

*The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Compassion in Caregiving.

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 pertaining to cognitive decline in North America vs. South America. 

About Roxanne: Roxanne Santiago, is the founder of Wilson & Grandpa, a project dedicated to bringing awareness to Alzheimer's Disease. The project was inspired after her Grandpa Esteban passed away from Alzheimer's Disease in October 2020. Through Wilson & Grandpa, Roxanne strives to normalize the conversation of Alzheimer's in a simple, relatable way and help others understand more about the disease and how they can make a difference even if they're not primary caregivers - as everyone plays an important role in the lives of people living with dementia.

Find Roxanne:

On Instagram: @wilsonandgrandpa 

http://www.wilsonandgrandpa.com

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, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Compassion in Caregiving.

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 is a Registered Kinesiologist and certified exercise physiologist, with more than 10 years of experience working in both private and public health care settings. Currently she is working at a community health centre in East Toronto, Ontario. Her work primarily focuses on chronic disease prevention and self management. She specializes in behaviour change, providing exercise prescription and support to help individuals achieve their health and wellness goals.Sarah strongly believes in providing services that help break down the barriers people face while engaging in healthy living.

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, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Compassion in Caregiving.

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 this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Compassion in Caregiving.

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 a millenial caregiver. She also touches upon some of the negativity she has received on the internet and how she remains resilient so she can enjoy her life to the fullest. 

Find Kris (and her grams Mary):

IG: @lifewithgrams

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, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Compassion in Caregiving.

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 support. 

About Lani:

Lani Lipson is a busy mom of two and co-founder of ee-mah. There are so many things that no one ever tells you about being a new mom which is how ee-mah came about. Lani loves working with her partner Jordana and talking to moms about the ups, the downs, the beauty and the hardships of motherhood. Ee-mah is an anonymous storytelling platform that gives moms an opportunity to share their story to help other mothers feel less alone on their journey. 

Find Lani:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/shopeemah/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/this.is.eemah/?hl=en

Website:

https://ee-mah.com/

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, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Compassion in Caregiving.

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 overall and their ability to access community supports and mental health supports. 

This episode is part 2 of 2. 

Dr. Lucyna Lach is an associate professor in the School of Social Work and an associate member of the Departments of Pediatrics, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University. Her program of research focusses on the well-being of children with neurodisabilities and their caregivers (i.e. caregiver health, and parenting). Dr. Lach's current projects address social determinants of health of children with neurodisabilties.  Dr. Lach is a peer-reviewer for numerous journals as well as organizations who provide funding in this area of research.

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, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Compassion in Caregiving.

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 overall and their ability to access community supports and mental health supports. 

This episode is part 1 of 2. 

Dr. Lucyna Lach is an associate professor in the School of Social Work and an associate member of the Departments of Pediatrics, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University. Her program of research focusses on the well-being of children with neurodisabilities and their caregivers (i.e. caregiver health, and parenting). Dr. Lach's current projects address social determinants of health of children with neurodisabilties.  Dr. Lach is a peer-reviewer for numerous journals as well as organizations who provide funding in this area of research.

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, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Compassion in Caregiving.

Trauma as a result of caregiving (particularly as a result of caring for a child with a disability) with Donna Thomson (Part 2) (Episode 30)

Donna Thomson, a well-known advocate for caregivers, joins Stephanie in this episode to discuss her experiences as a caregiver both to her father and her son with severe cerebral palsy and medical complexity. She also touches upon the trauma that can result from caregiving and her experiences navigating the Ontario healthcare system. 

Donna Thomson is the co-author with Dr. Zachary White of The Unexpected Journey of Caring and the author of The Four Walls of My Freedom: Lessons I've Learned From a Life of Caregiving. Donna facilitates Caregiving Essentials and instructs the Family Engagement in Research, both at McMaster University. Donna has sat on The Expert Group on Home and Community Care, the advisory committee for the white paper on aging and on the Working Group on Complex Care for Adults with Developmental Disabilities for the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care . She is a lifelong family caregiver and advocate. 

Find Donna: https://www.donnathomson.com/

This episode is part 2 of 2.

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, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Compassion in Caregiving.

Donna Thomson, a well-known advocate for caregivers, joins Stephanie in this episode to discuss her experiences as a caregiver both to her father and her son with severe cerebral palsy and medical complexity. She also touches upon the trauma that can result from caregiving and her experiences navigating the Ontario healthcare system. 

Donna Thomson is the co-author with Dr. Zachary White of The Unexpected Journey of Caring and the author of The Four Walls of My Freedom: Lessons I've Learned From a Life of Caregiving. Donna facilitates Caregiving Essentials and instructs the Family Engagement in Research, both at McMaster University. Donna has sat on The Expert Group on Home and Community Care, the advisory committee for the white paper on aging and on the Working Group on Complex Care for Adults with Developmental Disabilities for the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care . She is a lifelong family caregiver and advocate. 

Find Donna: https://www.donnathomson.com/

This episode is part 2 of 2.

Visit us on our website:
www.compassionincaregiving.com

Join our FREE Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/compassioncaregiverconnection
 
For more visit our Instagram! @compassionincaregivi