April 18, 2023

The Importance of Putting Your Needs First with Debbie Howard

54 minutes

When Debbie Howard returned home to care for her mother, she was expecting just the physical demands of caregiving. Instead, she was thrust into a situation that tested her emotional strength, resilience, and boundaries. But with a newfound respect for her mother's autonomy, Debbie discovered the power of dignity and empowerment in her mother's final days. What did Debbie learn, and how did it shape her own life?

Debbie emphasizes the necessity of self-care by sharing her experiences and offering tips on incorporating self-care into daily routines. She suggests regular exercise, band workouts during TV time, and indulging in simple pleasures like trips to Walgreens or Trader Joe's. The conversation highlights the personal journeys of the hosts and their own self-care practices, emphasizing the critical role of self-care in a caregiver's life.

In this episode, you will be able to:

1. Master the art of navigating family caregiving dynamics while tackling medical leave depletion issues.

2. Discover the significance of self-care and humor in overcoming difficult caregiving situations.

3. Elevate care receivers by upholding their decision-making power and promoting autonomy.

4. Find solace in coping with post-caregiving grief and accessing professional support networks.

5. Harness the power of technology and engaging activities to enhance your caregiving journey.

About Debbie:

Through her 30+ years of work in Japan, Debbie translates consumer research into a clear strategic direction for global clients across various categories - including age-tech products and services. Also, a former caregiver on a mission to change the way the world looks at caregiving, Debbie’s work focuses on helping companies create more caregiver-friendly workplaces by supporting their employee caregivers while reducing the related risks of absenteeism, turnover, and future healthcare costs. For individuals, her offerings include curated resources to help navigate the many aspects of caregiving and a free annual self-care challenge.

Connect with Debbie:

https://www.thecaregivingcrisis.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbiehoward/

https://twitter.com/debbiethecarer

https://www.facebook.com/debbie.howard.5264

https://www.instagram.com/debbiethecarer/

The Caregiving Journey: Information. Guidance. Inspiration.

Support the show

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Sisterhood of Care, LLC

Website: www.confessionsofareluctantcaregiver.com

Like us on Facebook!