When Katrina Prescott left her commercial production role in New York City and returned to British Columbia as she was faced with the realities of her aging grandmother. Little did she know, almost immediately following her grandmother’s passing, she would become a full on solo caregiver for her mother with FTD. In today’s episode, Katrina takes you through her caregiving journey and talks about what she learned along the way and the incredible advocacy she now engages in daily for caregivers everywhere.

About Katrina:

Katrina Prescott is an accomplished media producer.Her personal experience caring for her mother who was living with dementia compelled her to embark on a new career in caregiving advocacy and education. Now a sought-after Caregiving Coach, Katrina has harnessed what she learned first-hand as a full-time caregiver with her innate ability to teach and guide others without judgment as they navigate through this often overwhelming, exhausting, and yet also potentially rewarding journey.

From navigating the healthcare system, guiding people through the fluctuating stages of hope and grief, finding helpful programs and resources, and encouraging caregivers in a straightforward yet highly engaging approach, Katrina is a beacon for both caregivers and care recipients.  

By combining her role as a producer with insights from lived caregiving experiences, Katrina produced the widely viewed web series “Therapeutic Fibbing”.  Already seen by over one million people to date, this innovative educational series uses real-life examples and re-enactments of common scenarios often encountered by people who find themselves as caregivers to loved ones with dementia. The series offers tools and learning - and even some gentle humour - and has garnered significant caregiver engagement.

In 2023, Katrina received an award for Caregiving Advocacy by the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence. Looking ahead, she aspires to drive transformation in health care for individuals with chronic illness and their caregivers and collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders including non-profit groups, researchers, politicians, universities and medical professionals.

Find Katrina on her website: https://www.katrinaprescott.com/

We want your feedback. Let us know how you liked today’s episode! 

Rate, review and subscribe to let us know you are enjoying this podcast and want to hear more!

Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
 www.compassionincaregiving.com 

For more visit our Instagram!
 http://www.instagram.com/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.*

As people, we have thousands and thousands of thoughts each and every day. But do you truly recognize your thoughts and are you aware of the thoughts you are having? How are your thoughts impacting you and your daily life as a caregiver?

In this episode, Jessica and Stephanie talk about the importance of noticing our thoughts and how this practice can change our lives, emotions and overall outlook. 

About Jessica:

Jessica is a writer, meditation teacher, death doula, and dementia consultant. Her studies with Ram Dass, Joseph Goldstein, Alua Arthur, and Pema Chodron have shaped her mindfulness and doula work with the dementia community, which focuses on bringing awareness to our thoughts and leading with compassion. You can find her on Instagram (@alzheimers_awakening) and Substack (@alzheimersawakening).

We want your feedback. Let us know how you liked today’s episode! 

Rate, review and subscribe to let us know you are enjoying this podcast and want to hear more!

Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
 www.compassionincaregiving.com 

For more visit our Instagram!
 http://www.instagram.com/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.*

The driver’s license and cognitive or physical impairment. Something that, unless you’ve experienced it, you can never fully understand. The battle and the ethics and the nuances to exploring safety vs. autonomy and taking the path of least resistance.

What in the world do we do when we are faced with the reality that it may be time to confront the reality that to the person you care for may no longer be safe to drive (or maybe they have already been told by a member of their medical team they cannot and you are now dealing with the aftermath).

In this episode, Stephanie takes you through the emotions and internal/ external battle of this very complex situation and takes you through her own personal experiences with the driver’s license and her own mother.

We want your feedback. Let us know how you liked today’s episode! 

Rate, review and subscribe to let us know you are enjoying this podcast and want to hear more!

Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
 www.compassionincaregiving.com 

For more visit our Instagram!
 http://www.instagram.com/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.*

We hear about this term, caregiver burnout, so often. But what exactly is ‘burnout’ and how do we get there? What can we do to try and prevent or mitigate burnout? In today’s episode, Stephanie takes it back to basics to talk about this commonly used term and what it means.

We want your feedback. Let us know how you liked today’s episode! 

Rate, review and subscribe to let us know you are enjoying this podcast and want to hear more!

*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.*

Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
 www.compassionincaregiving.com 

For more visit our Instagram!
 http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

Caitlin Melvin’s life changed forever in 2021 when her 3 week old baby Scottie passed away. Having to continue caring for her young son in the face of grief, Caitlin learned how to navigate a situation she never thought she would face. In today’s episode, Caitlin talks about feeling substantial pain and having to continue on while growing her family and running a successful business.

About Caitlin:

Caitlin Melvin lives in Vancouver, British Columbia with her husband and two children, Huxley and Goldie (and kitty - Lucca!). Caitlin owns Melvin Marketing Group, a boutique marketing agency that focuses on social media marketing and branding. She balances life with her passions for motherhood, cooking and baking, snowboarding, and enjoying Vancouver and the surrounding area via hiking boots, her bicycle and long drives with her family.

Find Caitlin on Instagram: @caitlinalison 

*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.*

Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com 

For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

Patti LaFleur (known as misspatticake on social media) has become a well-known figure in the caregiving space. After leaving her teaching job of many years, she dedicated her life to caring for her father and her mother Linda, diagnosed with dementia. Documenting her journey daily, Patti and Linda were an inspiration and a real view on the happiness and positivity that was possible in a carepartner bond between mother and daughter. When Linda passed away more suddenly than ever anticipated, Patti found herself lost and confused, looking to find herself and her identity once again. In today’s episode Patti bravely talks about her experiences in loss and grief, finding meaning after loss and learning who she is once again. 

About Patti:

Patti LaFleur is the former care partner to her mom, Linda, who had younger-onset mixed dementia. Patti brings a wealth of knowledge after caring for both parents, teaching for ten years, volunteering with people living with neurocognitive disorders in art classes, and serving as a community educator for the Alzheimer’s Association. Patti also has a Masters in Instructional Leadership and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She is a member of the Lorenzo's House team, leading their vision as their Youth and Lighthouse Outreach Lead, where she connects with families, designs and implements youth programming, and leads their ambassador initiative (valued volunteer leaders).

Find Patti on Instagram: @misspatticake 

Thank you to the sponsor of thoday’s episode, Innerhive. To learn more about Innerhive, visit http://www.innerhive.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.*

Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com 

For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

Mary Lou Falcone lived a life of sophistication and excitement as a prominent figure in the classical music space, her husband a well-known artist. Using music throughout her life helped as a means of expressing herself and proved to be paramount when her husband was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia- at a time in her life that was shocking and unexpected. In this episode, Mary Lou describes her journey through caregiving and the rollercoaster of moments that will be sure to leave you with tears.

About Mary Lou Falcone:

Mary Lou Falcone is internationally known as a classical music

publicist/strategist who for fifty years has helped guide the careers

of celebrated artists – Van Cliburn, Gustavo Dudamel, Renée

Fleming, Sir Georg Solti, James Taylor – and advised many

institutions including Carnegie Hall, Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles

Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, New York Philharmonic,

Vienna Philharmonic. Combining communication skills with her

background as a performer and educator, she now adds another

layer: advocate for Lewy body dementia (LBD) awareness. Her late

husband, the illustrator Nicky Zann who died from LBD in 2020, was

the catalyst for her first book, I DIDN’T SEE IT COMING: Scenes of

Love, Loss, and Lewy Body Dementia.

Find Mary Lou: https://maryloufalcone.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.*

Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com 

For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

Do you ever feel completely removed, turned off or differently in general about your partner who you care for? Do you notice that you no longer want to engage in intimacy with your partner because of the changes in your relationship and the dynamic as a result of your caregiving? In today’s episode, Stephanie touches upon the topic of sex as a caregiver and normalizes and validates the emotions you may have surrounding sex and intimacy.

Today’s episode was the number 1 requested episode this season by our audience on social media! If you feel this way you are NOT alone.

We want your feedback. Let us know how you liked today’s episode! 

Rate, review and subscribe to let us know you are enjoying this podcast and want to hear more!

*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.*

Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com 

For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

For 43 years André Picard has been at the forefront of health journalism and health reporting for The Globe and Mail. In today’s episode, André takes a deep dive into the reality of our healthcare system and its impact on caregivers and the people they care for. André compares and contrasts the Canadian system in relation to systems in other nations, the gains that have been made in the Canadian system over time and what improvements are needed to best impact caregivers, both now and in the future.

About André Picard:

André Picard is the health columnist at The Globe and Mail. He was named Canada’s first Public Health Hero by the Canadian Public Health Association, and a Champion of Mental Health by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health. He received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his dedication to improving healthcare.

He is also the author of six bestselling books, most recently “Neglected No More: The Urgent Need To Improve The Lives of Canada’s Elders.”

Find André:
https://www.andrepicard.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.*

Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com 

For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

Debbie Compton and her husband cared for 3 family members at the same time. It was during this balance that she recognized exceptionally innovative ways to navigate presenting difficulties and stressors. She has since adapted these innovations and techniques for other caregivers to help them through their journeys. Debbie is a positive and truly inspirational leader who shares her incredible story in today’s episode.

About Debbie Compton:

Debbie Compton is a three-time caregiver for parents with different forms of Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Vascular Dementia. She is a Certified Caregiving Consultant, Certified Caregiver Advocate, Educator for the Alzheimer’s Assoc. speaker, and author of 9 books. Debbie’s first book, Caregiving: How to hold on while letting go, offers actionable steps for caregivers as well as questions to ask doctors, in-home caregivers, facilities, and more. It is full of humor and inspiration.

Debbie is the founder of The Purple Vine LLC, whose mission is to empower caregivers with the tools and strategies needed to reduce stress, block burnout, and learn to laugh again. 

*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.*

Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:
www.compassionincaregiving.com

 For more visit our Instagram!
http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving