Janet Brennend's journey as a caregiver began in childhood, a role she took on out of resilience and strength. But her true empowerment came when her daughter was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, leading her to advocate fiercely for her daughter's rights and those of other caregivers. Janet Brennend's story is filled with unexpected twists and turns, from a hardworking Appalachian family to an inspiring leader.

Janet's journey as a caregiver started when she was just a child, the middle of seven siblings. Born into a hardworking Appalachian family, Janet learned the importance of caring for others through various experiences. At the age of seven or eight, she was already taking care of her baby sister. As she grew older, her caregiving role expanded to several family members, including her father, who suffered severe burns in a plant explosion. Janet's strength and resilience were evident from a young age.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Master the art of juggling caregiving roles with work and personal life.
• Champion the cause of individuals with disabilities through strong advocacy.
• Expertly maneuver through benefits and services tailored for disabled loved ones.
• Prioritize self-care for caregivers and build supportive networks.
• Tap into resources designed for enhancing aging and home safety. 

About Janet:

Janet Brennend has served in her current role as the Local Long-Term Care Ombudsman for over 21 years. She has provided advocacy services and supports for and on behalf of persons residing in long-term care settings and those 60 years of age and older who receive long-term care services and support in the community. She has worked with long-term care providers, long-term care recipients and their families, other advocates, and community-based professionals to enhance the quality of care and protect residents’ rights. 

Throughout her career, she has advocated for the rights of individuals with disabilities and assisted family caregivers in accessing critical support services. Her notable accomplishments early in this advocacy role had been supporting changes within the local public schools for students with disabilities to access services for free and appropriate education. 

Connect with Janet:

Website: www.nrvaoa.org

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Sisterhood of Care, LLC

Website: www.confessionsofareluctantcaregiver.com

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