Looking back over 2021. A few highlights from 2021 are discussed along with a tapestry story at the conclusion where the titles of the full episodes of Island Treasures Podcasts are woven into a story.

You can watch the podcast story on You Tube.

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Following Episode 19 of Season 2 of the full-episode called Preserving Memories, with guest Beth Douglas, this mini episode builds on the importance of preserving memories, especially with our loved ones while they are still with us. After accompanying my own mother-in-law over two decades earlier as her "lady-in-waiting" (caregiver) for what turned out to be her last trip, I discovered the value of the memories I had preserved through video. 

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A beautiful conversation with Beth Douglas about caregiving for her parents and what she is now doing to encourage folks to capture the stories of their loved ones.

Beth lost both of her parents to dementia-related illness and decided to use her skills to spread awareness and help caregivers as well. She is a writer and marketing communications professional with a passion for communications in the area of healthcare, senior care, and dementia education. She resides in FL and continues to be an advocate for quality care for the senior community.

Beth speaks about incorporating Teepa Snow's Positive Approach to Care in her own experiences of redirecting, using physical touch, eye contact and using a calm and reassuring tone of voice.

Beth is a contributing writer for the Aging Times Magazine and also facilitates Senior Circle Stories

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Excerpts from Episode 17 of Season 2 of Island Treasures Podcast captured in this mini video version for caregivers. You will hear Zander explain the calming effect of Fractals in Nature along with his techniques to focus on the positives to avoid burnout as a caregiver. This mini episode touches on resources and the benefit of seeking supports specific to your caregiving needs and he highlights the resources available for Veterans. For more details on the resources, tune into the Island Treasures for Caregivers podcast episode entitled "No Time for Burnout!"

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An episode filled with insights and resources. You'll want to pay close attention if you are a caregiver for a veteran, or if you are a veteran yourself.

Zander Keig is an award-winning speaker, educator, author, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker with many distinguishing accolades including: 2020 NASW National Social Worker of the Year. Zander is a first-generation American of Mexican heritage (Latino), and a post-transition transsexual man. Zander is a Coast Guard Veteran and the primary caregiver of his elderly Veteran father who is diagnosed with Dementia. Zander fills this episode with his own experiences that offer take-aways for all of us. He is applying the teachings of the DAWN method from an earlier episode and seeing first-hand the positives this strengths-based approach provides.

As a retired social worker I was excited to ask Zander about being the 2020 NASW Social worker of the year - and as he shares his experiences and resources it was not surprising he received many nominations from his peers.

You can contact Zander through his website www.zanderkeig.net or through LinkedIn www. linkedin.com/in/zanderkeig or [email protected]

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Another fabulous find for caregivers of folks with dementia. Hear all about this opportunity to cruise with your loved one who has dementia or other illness so you can create memories whilst enjoying a dementia-friendly environment. This opportunity includes respite for caregivers. For more information on this travel opportunity check out www.elitecruisesandvacationstravel.com and be sure to watch the video version on YouTube

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Island Treasures for Caregivers Mini podcast where Alison van Schie, Certified Caregiver Consultant and the host of Island Treasures shares a few thoughts on the most recent full-length episode (#13 Skills Retained: Strengths-based Approach to Dementia Care) where guest and creator of thedawnmethod.com Judy Cornish explained the strengths-based, person-centred and kind approach to dementia care. Alison speaks about a story from Chicken Soup for the Soul's "Navigating Eldercare and Dementia" entitled 'More Than Just a Blanket' written by Brenda Leppington and how this blanket worked its magic in boosting the person-centred approach to care.

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October 5, 2021 marks one year since airing the trailer for Island Treasures. This episode celebrates the development of the podcast by introducing each episode and each of the guests and if you click here you can watch the video version of this podcast and see those who have provided such great content for this past year. Join me in celebration and on this occasion if you like the episode, please provide a rating and a review; and be sure to share with your friends.

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In this episode you will hear about the strengths-based, person-centered approach to dementia care from my guest Judy Cornish.

Judy Cornish is an author, founder of the Dementia & Alzheimer’s Wellbeing Network (DAWN®), creator of the DAWN Method® of dementia care, and a retired elder law attorney. Her two books (The Dementia Handbook and Dementia With Dignity) take person-centered dementia care from theory to practice by identifying the skills not lost to dementia. Through DAWN, Judy Cornish provides online training programs for families and professional caregivers, as well as certification courses for agencies and facilities. Her goal is to see dignified dementia care and aging in place become available for all.

This strengths-based approach offers the listener the opportunity to choose to look at dementia from a functional and experiential perspective instead of focusing on what the person with dementia can no longer do because of the skills they have lost. Judy offers meanings and suggestions to help us understand how to lessen our guilt, stress, conflict, pain and exhaustion as caregivers by recognizing the skills that are still present in our loved ones or care recipients who have dementia.

For more information on the Dementia & Alzheimer’s Wellbeing Network® (DAWN) and the DAWN Method® contact [email protected]

www.thedawnmethod.com

And her social media links:

• LinkedIn 
• Twitter 
• Facebook 

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Island Treasures for Caregivers - MINI podcast, where Alison van Schie, the host of Island Treasures, shares a few thoughts on the most recent full-length podcast episode, which was "A Parting Gift" with guest Arlene Jacobs. Alison reflects on how meaningful the parting gift can be as this episode was fresh in her mind as she attended a family member's Celebration of Life. The mini format offers a brief introduction to the topic of the full episode so listeners know what to expect when they have more time to listen to the full episode.

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