By Cathy VandenHeuvel
Empowering caregivers with knowledge, resources and tools so they can be the best they can be. This podcast focuses on ways for the caregiver to reduce stress, burnout, can embrace moments of
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The podcast currently has 241 episodes available.
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Exploring Cathie’s Journey, Experiences, and Effective Self-Care Techniques
In this episode, Cathie Gregory shares her heartfelt journey as a caregiver, offering invaluable experiences and self-care strategies that have helped her maintain her well-being while caring for her loved one. Tune in to discover practical tips and inspiring insights that can empower you on your own caregiving path.
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Waiting room fatigue is a struggle many caregivers face but rarely discuss. Imagine sitting in a hospital waiting room for hours, filled with anxiety and anticipation, as your loved one undergoes medical procedures. This episode unpacks how these long waits can lead to emotional and physical exhaustion for caregivers, like me, waiting for Denis during his needle biopsy and chemotherapy port installation. We dive into the emotional tension and lack of control that exacerbate this fatigue and explore how recognizing these feelings is crucial for maintaining our well-being.
Discover practical strategies to alleviate this caregiver fatigue with our engaging discussion on self-care routines and stress management. From deep breathing exercises to mini meditation sessions, I share personal tips that have helped conserve energy and stay present for Denis. Learn how to transform waiting room time into moments of personal growth and creativity, with activities like journaling, knitting, or even listening to enriching audiobooks and podcasts. Combatting fatigue isn't just about self-care—it’s about staying productive and connected, and I provide actionable advice for doing just that.
Don’t miss our roundup of strategies for surviving waiting rooms, including planning relaxation rituals for after appointments and proactive communication with medical staff to manage wait time expectations. You’ll hear about my personal experiments with games and creative outlets, like using dry-erase markers for artistic expression on hospital windows. Plus, look forward to our upcoming interview with Cathie, a fellow caregiver and listener, who will share her experiences and insights on maintaining resilience. Remember, our weekly caregiver newsletter is here to support you with tips, stories, and inspiration to help navigate these challenging times.
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What happens when a devoted caregiver and mother of four decides to pursue a midlife career change into acting? Join us for an engaging conversation with Katie Prentiss, who shares her personal story of caring for her mother with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) while raising her family. Katie opens up about the emotional and practical challenges she faced, the tough decisions she had to make, and the financial strains of long-term care. She offers candid reflections and practical advice for those navigating the complexities of caregiving, emphasizing the importance of presence, touch, and remembering the person beyond the disease.
Katie's journey is not just about struggle, but transformation. After her mother's passing, Katie found healing through acting, culminating in her upcoming film, "Wake Up Maggie." This creative endeavor serves as a tribute to her mother and a heartfelt homage to caregivers everywhere. We delve into the film's narrative, a mix of struggles, joy, and humor, and discuss how this project aims to raise awareness about FTD. Katie's resilience shines through as she shares her gratitude for the opportunity to tell this story and the connections she's made through storytelling and filmmaking.
Throughout the episode, we explore the profound journey of caregiving and the importance of being present during moments of crisis. Katie emphasizes focusing on positive moments amidst the challenges, drawing parallels between caregiving and parenting. We reflect on the shared experiences and the beauty and laughter that can be found in difficult times. To close, Katie invites listeners to follow the progress of "Wake Up Maggie" and offers resources for those affected by FTD, reminding us all to prioritize self-care and connection.
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In this enlightening episode of The Caregiver Cup Podcast, we explore the essential role of advocacy in the caregiving journey. Understanding how to effectively advocate for your loved one can transform both the quality of care they receive and your own well-being as a caregiver. Drawing inspiration from Barbara Corcoran’s heartfelt experience in episode 233, where she emphasized the importance of education after her mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, we dive deep into the four key components of caregiver advocacy.
This week, we focus on education—the foundational pillar of effective advocacy. Learn how educating yourself about your loved one’s condition, mastering caregiving techniques, understanding legal considerations, and recognizing the emotional and environmental needs can empower you to make informed decisions and navigate the healthcare system with confidence. Through personal stories, practical tips, and expert insights, discover how continuous learning and building a supportive care team can prevent common caregiving mistakes and enhance your ability to advocate successfully.
Whether you’re new to caregiving or seeking to strengthen your advocacy skills, this episode offers valuable strategies to help you show up as your best self. Don’t miss out on actionable advice and heartfelt stories that will inspire and support you on your caregiving journey. For a more detailed discussion and additional resources, be sure to visit our blog at www.cathylvan.com/blog/236. Tune in and empower yourself to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those you care for.
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Discover the heartfelt journey of caregiving through the eyes of Dr. Kathryn Betts Adams, affectionately known as Katy, a distinguished gerontological social worker and author of "The Pianist's Only Daughter." As the only daughter in a family of artistic and academic brilliance, Katy shares her deeply personal experiences of supporting aging parents, intertwining her stories with professional insights. Her narrative not only highlights the challenges faced with her father’s musical legacy and her mother’s battle with Parkinson's but also the delicate process of mending family relationships over time.
Explore the emotional and logistical maze of caregiving, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Katy reveals candid anecdotes about moving her mother to a memory care unit and advocating for her father's mental health needs, offering practical wisdom on navigating senior living arrangements. This episode is a reflection on balancing parental care with personal well-being, emphasizing the importance of humor and shared memories in maintaining connections with loved ones. By sharing her story, Katy provides a roadmap for listeners who are managing similar responsibilities, advocating for the importance of self-care and the courage to seek help.
As we wrap up the conversation, Katy’s experiences underscore the importance of gratitude and support systems in the caregiving journey. Her memoir serves as a beacon of resilience and insight for those walking a similar path, encouraging listeners to cherish their time with loved ones and embrace the support available. We express our heartfelt appreciation to Katy for her invaluable contributions and invite our listeners to subscribe to the Caregiver Cup podcast for a continued exploration of these relevant and touching narratives.
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In this episode, I dive deep into essential mindset strategies tailored specifically for caregivers, drawing from recent insights gained in a transformative mindset training. I explore two powerful techniques—DSD (Do Something Different) and CCC (Catch, Cancel, Correct)—that can help caregivers navigate the emotional and mental challenges of their demanding roles. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in a rut, or in need of a fresh perspective, these strategies offer practical ways to inject more joy and resilience into your daily caregiving journey.
Through relatable stories and real-life examples, I share how DSD encourages caregivers to break free from monotonous routines by introducing small, meaningful changes, such as trying new activities, altering daily schedules, or reorganizing the home environment. Meanwhile, CCC provides a framework for managing negative thoughts by identifying them, acknowledging their impact, and replacing them with positive alternatives. Building these mindset muscles takes time and consistent practice, but the rewards are invaluable—enhanced well-being, reduced stress, and a more positive outlook on caregiving.
Join me as we share actionable tips and inspiring client scenarios that demonstrate how these mindset practices can transform your caregiving experience. By integrating DSD and CCC into your routine, you can empower yourself to handle challenges with greater ease and find moments of joy amidst the demands of caregiving. Tune in to discover how small shifts in your mindset can lead to significant improvements in your daily life and overall resilience.
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What happens when one of the sharpest minds in business takes on the deeply personal role of a caregiver? Barbara Corcoran, the iconic entrepreneur from Shark Tank, joins us to share her heartfelt journey of caring for her mother, Florence, who battled Alzheimer's Agitation disease. With her characteristic humor and unflinching honesty, Barbara brings a unique perspective to the emotional challenges and rewards of caregiving, offering listeners a blend of practical advice and inspiring insights.
Throughout our conversation, we address the rollercoaster of emotions that caregivers often face, from frustration and guilt to moments of pure joy. Barbara candidly discusses the significance of setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and seeking out resources to provide the best possible care for loved ones. Her personal stories emphasize the importance of empathy, family support, and understanding the emotional landscape of both caregivers and patients. Listeners will find themselves nodding along to Barbara's relatable experiences and invaluable tips.
Barbara also unveils her strategies for balancing a demanding career with the responsibilities of caregiving, showcasing the emotional returns of dedication and consistent care. She fondly recalls the "Sunday fun days" she created for her mother, highlighting the joy and hope these moments brought. Barbara’s advocacy for Alzheimer's Agitation awareness and her commitment to providing resources for those affected underscore her passion for the cause. If you’re looking to learn more or support Barbara’s campaign, be sure to visit RecognizeAlzheimersAgitation.com. It’s a valuable resource for anyone caring for someone with Alzheimer’s dementia and experiencing agitation.
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We’re going to get real—deep into the truth of caregiving. Depending on where you're in your caregiving journey, you may not want to hear this, or this may be exactly what you need. This is real talk, & before we start, I want to say: I get you, I love you, & I wish someone had this hard conversation with me earlier.
Caregiving isn’t a solo mission. If you think you can handle everything on your own, you’re setting yourself up for burnout. I know this because I lived it. I’ll share one of my breaking points—a moment that found me lying in a hospital bed, overwhelmed with stress & anxiety. I was embarrassed, but that wake-up call changed my caregiving approach forever.
We're exploring why so many caregivers feel the need to do it all—whether it’s out of duty, guilt, or fear of judgment. But the truth is, without support, we’re not only doing a disservice to ourselves, but to our loved ones as well.
You’ll learn 3 key areas where caregivers can seek help:
As caregivers, we need to break the myth that asking for help means we’ve failed. Support is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.
And if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of where to start, I’m here to help. I offer 2 coaching packages designed specifically for caregivers like you:
You don’t have to do this alone, and you deserve to feel empowered & supported on this journey.
Learn more about my coaching programs and how we can work together
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In honor of World Gratitude Day, we’re diving into a topic that has the power to transform your caregiving journey—gratitude. When you’re deep in the trenches of caregiving, it’s easy to let the hard moments take over. But what if you could shift your focus to the small wins and positive moments? In this episode, I share how gratitude became my lifeline during some of the toughest years of caregiving. We’ll explore why practicing gratitude is crucial for your mental health, well-being, and overall resilience as a caregiver.
Finding the right gratitude practice can make all the difference. Whether it’s journaling, taking gratitude walks, or simply pausing to reflect on what’s going well, there’s a method that can fit into your routine. We’ll go over a variety of practices, so you can find the one that resonates with you and start incorporating it into your daily life. Because when you focus on gratitude, you’re not just surviving—you’re thriving, even on the most challenging days.
So, grab your coffee and tune in as we explore the power of gratitude for caregivers. By the end of this episode, you’ll have actionable tips to start your own gratitude practice, boost your mood, and bring more light into your caregiving journey.
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Caregiving is a demanding journey, and it often feels like there’s never enough time for yourself—especially when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. But what if I told you that establishing a simple nighttime routine could transform how you show up, not just for your loved one, but for yourself?
In this episode, I’m sharing why sleep is the ultimate self-care practice for caregivers and how it impacts your physical, emotional, and mental health. From personal experience, I know how easy it is to lose quality sleep while caregiving. When I started my caregiving journey in 2017, sleepless nights felt like a permanent part of the deal, but I learned that this doesn't have to be the case.
I’ll walk you through the three key steps to creating a nighttime routine that works—reflection, releasing stress, and focusing on sleep. You’ll learn simple techniques like deep breathing, journaling, and setting boundaries with your phone that can make a world of difference. We’ll talk about how starting small can lead to better sleep, more energy, and a healthier, happier caregiving experience.
Are you ready to wake up feeling refreshed, patient, and in control? Tune in to discover how a few small changes to your evening routine can help you find balance, reduce burnout, and make caregiving more manageable.
Join me as we dive into the power of sleep—and why it’s one of the most important gifts you can give yourself as a caregiver. Let’s create a routine that helps you thrive!
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