Summary 

It has been a while! In this episode, I'm sharing some personal updates and reflections on caregiving, resilience, and the instinctual responses of fight, flight, or freeze. I discuss insights gained from a recent caregiver summit I co-hosted, with Kaley Johnson and share about how Jess Ronne one of our speakers who has navigated immense challenges, got me thinking about fight, flight or freeze.

Today I unpack the complexities of my caregiver instincts and how mine has shaped my responses to crises.

Ultimately encouraging you to reflect on your own experiences and responses.

Takeaways

 Michele shares her recent experiences and updates in life.

The caregiver summit featured impactful speakers discussing various topics.

Jess Ronne's documentary highlights the struggles of parent caregivers.

Resilience in caregiving can manifest in different ways.

Understanding one's instinctual response can aid in personal growth.

Michele reflects on her own freeze response during crises.

The importance of self-awareness in managing caregiver

Instinctual responses can be both protective and isolating.

Michele emphasizes the need for balance in life and

The conversation encourages listeners to reflect on their

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Life Updates

02:55 Insights from the Caregiver Summit

05:47 The Resilience of Caregivers

12:36 Understanding Fight, Flight, or Freeze Responses

19:55 Reflections on Instinctual Responses and Life Balance

Connect with Jess: Instagram and Facebook

Documentary Trailer: Unseen, How We Are Failing Parent Caregivers and Why It's Important.

Visit The Healthy Caregiver FB Group for replays of the Summit.

Summary

In this episode, Kristen Burke and I discuss the complexities of long-term care insurance and its importance for individuals and families. We explore how complicated Medicare can be and that it does not pay for Assisted Living! There has been an evolution of long-term care insurance policies, and the various options available for coverage. Kristen emphasizes the need for family involvement in planning and understanding insurance policies, as well as the financial implications of long-term care. The conversation highlights the significance of being prepared for future care needs and the peace of mind that comes with having the right insurance in place.

Takeaways

Long-term care insurance is essential for financial planning.

Medicare changes impact insurance decisions significantly.

Medicare does not pay for Assisted Living and Nursing Home Care

Understanding the evolution of long-term care insurance is crucial.

Designing a policy requires consideration of various factors.

Family involvement in long-term care planning is key.

Long-term care insurance can cover both informal and formal caregivers.

It's important to know the waiting periods for benefits to kick in.

Having a plan in place alleviates stress for family members.

You can have multiple insurance policies for better coverage.

Long-term care insurance provides peace of mind for caregivers.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Long-Term Care Insurance

04:49 Navigating Annual Medicare Changes

09:55 The Evolution of Long-Term Care Insurance

15:06 Designing a Long-Term Care Policy

19:52 Activating Long-Term Care Insurance

25:06 Family Involvement in Long-Term Care Planning

29:52 Final Thoughts on Long-Term Care Insurance

Connect with Kristen: ⁠www.misomaha.com

Summary

In this episode, Kristen Burke and I discuss the complexities of long-term care insurance and its importance for individuals and families. We explore how complicated Medicare can be and that it does not pay for Assisted Living! There has been an evolution of long-term care insurance policies, and the various options available for coverage. Kristen emphasizes the need for family involvement in planning and understanding insurance policies, as well as the financial implications of long-term care. The conversation highlights the significance of being prepared for future care needs and the peace of mind that comes with having the right insurance in place.

Takeaways

Long-term care insurance is essential for financial planning.

Medicare changes impact insurance decisions significantly.

Medicare does not pay for Assisted Living and Nursing Home Care

Understanding the evolution of long-term care insurance is crucial.

Designing a policy requires consideration of various factors.

Family involvement in long-term care planning is key.

Long-term care insurance can cover both informal and formal caregivers.

It's important to know the waiting periods for benefits to kick in.

Having a plan in place alleviates stress for family members.

You can have multiple insurance policies for better coverage.

Long-term care insurance provides peace of mind for caregivers.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Long-Term Care Insurance

04:49 Navigating Annual Medicare Changes

09:55 The Evolution of Long-Term Care Insurance

15:06 Designing a Long-Term Care Policy

19:52 Activating Long-Term Care Insurance

25:06 Family Involvement in Long-Term Care Planning

29:52 Final Thoughts on Long-Term Care Insurance

Connect with Kristen: www.misomaha.com

Summary

In this conversation, Lacey Jungman and I explore the complexities of being a caregiver in the sandwich generation, the emotional challenges faced by adult children caring for aging parents, and the importance of self-care and boundaries. We discuss her journey into senior care, and how she discovered her passion for helping adutl children. Then we dive in to the impact of hormonal changes on emotions. The hormones are for real y'all whether you're having your babies or stepping through menopause, this is impactful and important to acknowledge. We also touch on the significance of taking pauses in life and how she knew it was time to pause. The conversation also touches on imposter syndrome, the need for personal growth, and the power of storytelling in supporting others.

Lacey shares insights from her experiences as a working mom emphasizing the importance of recognizing one's feelings and finding balance in caregiving roles.

This episode is packed! I know you'll enjoy the conversation as much as I did!

Takeaways

The sandwich generation faces unique emotional challenges.

Adult children often experience guilt and resentment in caregiving.

Self-care is essential for caregivers to avoid burnout.

Setting boundaries is crucial for maintaining mental health.

Hormonal changes can impact emotions and decision-making.

Taking pauses can lead to greater clarity and peace.

Imposter syndrome affects both personal and professional lives.

Finding balance is key in managing caregiving responsibilities.

Storytelling can validate and support others in similar situations.

Recognizing one's feelings is the first step to self-care.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating the Sandwich Generation

02:52 The Journey into Senior Care

06:32 The Journey of Adult Children Caring for Aging Parents

09:24 Navigating Emotions and Self-Care

12:38 The Importance of Boundaries

15:21 Finding Peace in the Pause

18:37 Recognizing Imposter Syndrome

21:23 Defining Self-Care

24:11 Balancing Career and Caregiving

27:23 Embracing Abundance Over Scarcity

30:14 Final Thoughts and Resources

Connect with Lacy!

Visit her Website.

Buy her book: The Working Mom Blend: The New Approach to Work-Life Balance

Subscribe to her podcast: Working Mom Moments

Summary

In this episode, Michele and Lakelyn Hogan Eichenberger, Ph.D. with Home Instead (an Honor Company) discuss the importance of in-home care for aging individuals and their families. They explore the various services offered by home care professionals, the differences between home care and home health, and the significance of building relationships in caregiving. The conversation emphasizes the need for caregivers to take care of themselves and the importance of seeking help before a crisis occurs. They also provide insights on how to find the right home care provider and the available funding options for these services.

Takeaways

In-home care is essential for families dealing with aging and dementia.

Home care professionals provide customized support tailored to individual needs.

Building relationships with care professionals enhances the caregiving experience.

Home care can delay the need for moving to a care community.

It's crucial for caregivers to prioritize their own well-being.

Home care services can be flexible and adjusted as needs change.

Understand the difference between home care and home health.

Finding the right home care provider involves asking the right questions.

Home Instead offers a wealth of resources for caregivers.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:19 Defining In-Home Care

05:12 Benefits and Flexibility of Home Care

09:37 Differences Between Home Care and Home Health

16:24 Finding a Home Care Provider

20:12 The Importance of Training and Matchmaking

23:03 Encouraging Early Consideration of Home Care

26:23 Trial Periods and Adjustments

27:52 The Positive Impact of Home Care on Relationships

30:37 Additional Resources and Support

32:44 Final Thoughts and Appreciation for Caregivers

Resources

Home Care Guide

Funding Solutions Guide

Home Instead's Care Resources

Summary - In this episode, Lisa Hamilton is back for part 2 where we discuss the challenges and emotions involved in transitioning her mom from the house she had lived in forever, into a 55+ apartment. She shares personal experiences and insights on the importance of asking for help and acknowledging the grief of letting go. We talk about the importance of creating rituals to honor the past. The conversation highlights the need for support and understanding during these transitions and emphasizes the value of being present and holding space for loved ones. There was a moment between the Realtor and Lisa's mom that helped shift the energy around this big move.

Lisa is so articulate and insightful and I'm so grateful that she has brought us along on this journey.

Keywords - transitioning parents, new living arrangements, asking for help, acknowledging grief, creating rituals, support, understanding, being present, holding space

Takeaways - Transitions involving parents' living arrangements can be emotionally challenging and require support and understanding.

Asking for help and reaching out to others can provide valuable insights and assistance during these transitions.

Acknowledging the grief and emotions associated with letting go of a previous living situation is important.

Creating rituals or ceremonies to honor the past and mark the transition can be meaningful and helpful.

Being present and holding space for loved ones during these transitions is essential for their well-being.

Chapters

00:00 Being the Bridge for Others

01:52 Downsizing and Transitioning to a Senior Apartment

16:37 Honoring the Past: Rituals and Ceremonies

23:23 Challenges and Self-Care in Supporting Loved Ones

24:52 Embracing Change: The Unique Experience of Each Transition

25:10 The Power of Asking for Help

26:36 The Impact of Multiple Perspectives

27:28 Supporting Parents as Adult Children

28:27 The Role of Communication and Trust

Summary - In this episode, Lisa Hamilton shares her experience of transitioning her father from assisted living to memory care. She discusses the challenges of moving belongings, managing logistics, and navigating the emotional aspects of the transition. Lisa emphasizes the importance of keeping things simple and not projecting our own feelings onto our loved ones with dementia. She also highlights the significance of small gestures of kindness and connection from the caregivers in the building. Overall, the transition went better than expected, and Lisa encourages family caregivers to ask for help and remember that each family's experience is unique.

Keywords - transition, assisted living, memory care, logistics, emotions, dementia, caregivers, kindness, connection

Takeaways -

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

04:46 Transitioning to Memory Care

06:51 Managing Emotions and Language

14:07 Changing Language and Communication

19:20 Perspective and Heartache

24:36 Keeping it Simple

29:19 Acknowledging Observations

31:36 Connections and Humanity

34:00 Small Gestures and Support

37:55 Lisa's Mother's Transition will be Part 2!

Summary: In this episode, I interview Tanya Godwin from Oasis Senior Advisors in Lincoln, NE. We discuss the challenges and resources available for seniors and their families in the aging process. Tanya shares her background in the industry and how she came to work with Oasis Senior Advisors. We discuss services provided by Oasis, including connecting seniors with resources, assisting with legal and financial planning, and helping with placement in senior living communities. Tanya emphasizes the importance of education and advocacy in navigating the complexities of senior care.

Keywords:

senior care, aging, resources, Oasis Senior Advisors, services, legal planning, financial planning, placement, education, advocacy

Takeaways:

Oasis Senior Advisors is a one-stop shop that helps seniors and their families navigate the challenges of aging by connecting them with resources, assisting with legal and financial planning, and helping with placement in senior living communities.

Education is key to understanding the complexities of senior care, including the role of Medicare and Medicaid, the cost of senior care, and the importance of planning ahead.

Having an advocate, like Oasis Senior Advisors, can provide support and guidance throughout the aging process, helping families make informed decisions and avoid potential crises.

Successful families are those who have planned ahead, anticipated their needs, and have open and ongoing communication about finances, legal documents, and care preferences.

Uncertainty is a part of the aging process, and being prepared for the unexpected by having an advocate can provide peace of mind and ensure the best possible outcomes for seniors and their families.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

05:20 Overview of Oasis Senior Advisors' Services

10:35 Challenges and Obstacles in Senior Care

15:43 Financial Considerations in Senior Care

20:01 Real-Life Scenarios and the Need for Proactive Planning

28:19 The Role of Advocacy in Senior Care

32:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

35:08 New Chapter

https://www.oasissenioradvisors.com/local-advisors/lincoln/

Dr. Brandy Archie is an Occupational Therapist who routinely witnessed people wanting to remain independent in their homes, but saw they kept hitting roadblocks on how to safely and effectively accomplish this.

She co-created Ask SAMI to help people find the right equipment and services in order to live their best life, wherever they call home. They are able to do virtual assessments of a home to make recommendations on how to make it safer and more functional.

In this episode, she shares some of her top barriers that we don't take into consideration that are a game changer to ensure quality of life and help prevent falls.

Check out the robust catalog of OT-approved items, schedule your virtual assessment, or discover practitioners in your area at https://www.asksamie.com/!

You can be 2 steps ahead! One of the biggest challenges people face when helping someone living with dementia is “getting them” to do activities of daily living. When someone is living with dementia, they may not remember the last time they did something, may have lost the ability to take the necessary multiple steps to complete a task, or no longer have the biological trigger to do something.

In this episode, Karla Frese with Home Care Partners shares ways to make sure you are 2 steps ahead so you and your loved one can be set up for success!

Karla walks us through the house, going room by room, providing solid strategies to move through a variety of sticky situations in activities of daily living that are often faced. We go through:

The Bathroom – showering, going to the bathroom, brushing

Connect with Karla!

Website: www.homecarepartners.com

E-mail: [email protected]