Episodes

  • Dr. Zahydie L. Burgos Ribot cares for her husband, Francisco, also known as Paco, who is living with Young Onset Familial Alzheimer's Disease.

    In this episode, Zahydie and Paco share their caregiving journey. They talk about how they took time to understand and cope with Paco's diagnosis and process their feelings of grief before telling others. They also discuss Paco's treatment, including E2814 therapy and Leqembi medication, which help slow down Paco’s Alzheimer’s. And they talk about how they focus on living each day with intention and are enjoying crossing off things from their bucket list.

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod184

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    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

  • Steve Powell cared for both of his parents as their health and mobility declined. His experiences mitigating many falls for his parents, prompted his invention of a device designed to lift individuals safely and comfortably off the floor.

    In this episode, Steve and I chat about aging in place, fall prevention, perfectionism, and why he has the well-deserved nickname of ‘The Singing Wine Maker.’

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod183

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

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  • Alder Allensworth cared for her mother who had Alzheimer’s and her father who had vascular dementia. Alder’s inspiration to co-create a children’s tool kit for families came from watching her mother interact with her grandchildren.

    In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, we talk about the resources Alder and her friend Brenda created to help children better understand dementia. Alder shares the benefits of having structure in our days, how a continuing care retirement community was the right fit for her parents for a while, how FMLA allowed her to be present for her parents in their final weeks, and what her daily energizing self-care practices look like.

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod182

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

  • Allison Breininger has an MA in Education and spent twenty years in the realm of education. At 31, she became a caregiver for her husband, Sean, when he was diagnosed with the rare genetic disease Fanconi Anemia. She has been by his side through countless treatments and experienced firsthand that caregivers are in what she calls ‘the negative space’: vital yet overlooked and unsupported.

    In this episode, Allison shares why caregivers are part of the story and need to be recognized, why the oxygen mask analogy falls short, what tried and true tools help her in her caregiving life, and why ‘brightsiding’ is detrimental for care advocacy and caregiver wellness.

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod181

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

  • Natalie Elliott Handy and JJ Elliott Hill are sisters. Together, along with a third sister Emilie, they manage care for their mom who is living with Parkinson’s disease. Natalie is also a caregiver for her spouse, Jason, who receives palliative care to help navigate his cancer journey.

    In this episode, we discuss all the total messiness around family caregiving. We talk about letting go of perfectionism, getting access to your parent’s finances, the benefits of palliative care, and they both confess their guilty pleasures.

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod180

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

  • Meet Peter Rosenberger who has been a family caregiver for over 38 years for a spouse with severe disabilities. Peter is fluent in the language of caregiver and has navigated a medical nightmare that has mushroomed to 85+ major operations—including the amputation of both of his wife Gracie’s legs below the knee.

    In this episode, Peter recounts his experience attempting to admit himself to a mental hospital, discusses why caregiving shouldn't hinder us from embracing life, shares his strategies for finding moments of stillness and pursuing energizing hobbies, and outlines the ways he spreads hope among caregivers.

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod179

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

  • Meet family caregiver Jason van den Brand who managed end-of-life care for his grandmother and father over an eight-year span. This experience led him to start his own company, Wellahead, which helps families get matched with the best way to pay for long term care.

    In this episode we talk about how Jason managed care from a 3,000 mile distance, how his family paid for long term care for his family members, why millions of dollars in veterans benefits for care goes unused, why you shouldn’t wait to use long term care insurance, what to avoid when paying for care, how owning your a home provides long term care payment options for consideration, and how his family values posted in his office inform how he celebrates his personal successes.

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod178

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

  • Nicole Will cared for her grandma Betty and has dedicated her career to enhancing the well-being of older adults, their families, and healthcare professionals. Nicole's approach blends heartfelt advocacy with strategic innovation, making her a sought-after voice in the care economy.

    In this episode we discuss how vulnerability instigates change in our lives and in the care economy, tips for those looking into senior living options, the hope that is being delivered from agetech initiatives, healthy grab and go meal replacements, and why living with your grandma as a teenager comes with mixed emotions.

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod177

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

  • Paula Muller helped care for her grandmother and has a lifelong passion for technology applied to healthcare. Paula grew up in Chile and was very close to her grandmother and remains close to her mother. Her passions for family and technology came together in her product that we learn about called CareLink360.

    In this episode we discuss the caregiver guilt that comes with living from a distance from those requiring care, ideas to create connection with verbal and non-verbal care recipients, methods to infuse joy and energy into life, and ways technology can be a part of a caregiver’s care team.

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod176

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

  • Edla Prevette is a mental health counselor who cared for both of her parents. Edla’s professional and personal care experiences are being poured into a program she has developed for adult children of aging parents. In this episode, Edla shares ways in which you can increase cooperation and decrease conflict, ideas for a caregiver’s to find their safe place, tips for handling different personality temperaments, and how to incorporate ‘exercise snacks’ into your day.

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod175

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

  • Loretta Woodward Veney cared for her mom Doris who lived with dementia as well as for her aunt, sister, and husband. Loretta’s care experiences prompted her to write a few books, become a trained LEGO Serious Play facilitator, and inspire others through her speaking events and engaging workshops.

    In this episode we talk about and how creative play with Legos can help care partners connect and remain calm, why identifying those in your care village is critical to your success, the financial strains of caregiving and frustrations around the Medicaid Waiver process, how her faith community surrounded her with goodness after the loss of her husband, and why Loretta’s current self-care mantra is ‘stay and play’.

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod174

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

  • Frances Hall is the founder and executive director of ACAP, Adult Children of Aging Parents, a nationally unique nonprofit organization that she founded when she was the caregiver for her mother. In 2012, Frances began offering monthly educational programs for her fellow faculty and university staff and then for her broader North Carolina community. Since then, ACAP has grown to nine chapters in four states and continues to grow.

    In this episode, learn what makes the ACAP Community different from a typical support group, how Frances gave herself grace while caregiving, and how journaling was healing in her caregiving season.

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod173

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

  • Matt Perrin spent eight and a half years surrounded by dementia as a member of the sandwich generation. He was caring for his mother, Rosemary, who was living with Alzheimer's Disease. And simultaneously helping his wife Lindsay care for her father, Steve, who was living with Lewy Body Dementia. Steve lived in Matt and Lindsay’s home with their three girls and dog. Matt's lived experience gave him a new professional purpose and unlocked a passion for creating that he never knew he had. He found solace in writing and continued his practice with his popular weekly email series.

    In this episode, we discuss unearned caregiver guilt, win/win perspectives, social connections that led to being in a documentary, and new career paths inspired by caregiving.

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod172

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

  • I thought it fitting to publish this episode during November, which is National Family Caregivers Month, and this year’s theme is #caregiversconnect. A great theme since, on this show, we are about creating a connective community of family caregivers and connecting (or I say fast-tracking) you to the help and support you need, crave, or don’t even know about.

    I have a relentless passion for seeing and helping family caregivers. When I started Happy Healthy Caregiver, I had a clear mission of providing support and resources to family caregivers, and I wanted to do this full-time. And I also need an income. I worked on Happy Healthy Caregiver while working full-time as a sandwich generation caregiver. I had no business starting a business, and yet I knew this was needed. I felt isolated, alone, overwhelmed, unhealthy, and drowning as a sandwich-generation working caregiver. If we change nothing, then nothing changes. I struggled with how to monetize HHC. I always wanted people who could afford my services (like organizations and companies) to pay for support for family caregivers. Caregivers are already paying and doing too much.

    I monetize my business in 2 ways.

    Accidental influencer – content, ads, partnerships with companies I like and respect who could offer a product or service caregivers may need or wantProfessional speaker – Talking about self-care and caregiving. I’m hired by faith communities, nonprofits, and employers to share my story and fast-track their members or employees to resources I wish I knew about. I validate their experiences and tell them that support is available and where to find it.

    Today’s episode is primarily coming from a presentation I prepared for SHRM ATL conference about balancing carer and caregiving. Attendees at this conference were primarily those who work in Human Resources.

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod171

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

  • Lisa Nigro describes herself as an ordinary woman with an extraordinary spirit. Before becoming a full-time caregiver in 2015, she was a community activist serving the poor, and undervalued living in Chicago. Currently, she is the full-time caregiver of her adult son, Nick, who on October 31, 2015, suffered a heart attack at home from a virus and became brain injured and fully disabled. Lisa shares how she is thriving in this new season of life, even with its difficulties and challenges.

    In this episode we discuss the parallels of Lisa working with the homeless and caring for Nick, how being non-verbal doesn’t mean non-communicative, the challenges in finding quality respite care, gratitude pumpkins, pizza gardens, and more!

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod170

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

  • Nikki Nurse inspires women to live their best lives. As a former family caregiver with 10+ years of practice, Nikki believes that real health and wellbeing come through tending to small moments - in the mundane of our everyday lives. In this episode, Nikki focuses on creating your care team to help you with your self-care and how technology plays a huge role.

    We discuss how incorporating colors in design, fashion, and other small details can make colossal impacts. Nikki shares her story of how she got ‘lost in the caregiving sauce’ and how, with intention and ‘mindful moments, ’ she has created a happy and healthy flow for her life.

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod169

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

  • Alyse Dunn and her sister were young adults when they cared for their parents. Alyse’s caregiving experience prompted her to start a business to help family caregivers. In this episode, we talk about the racial nuances Alyse encountered while caregiving, what she would change in the care space if she had a magic wand, and how caregivers can fast-track to the resources they may not even know they need.

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod168

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

  • Debbie Weiss cared for her father, her husband, and currently cares for her adult son. Debbie is an expert in chasing your own dreams despite your circumstances. She is a fellow author, podcaster, and entrepreneur.

    In this episode, we dive into the steps Debbie took and is still taking to overcome her limiting beliefs and fears. You’ll be amazed at what has transpired since Debbie decided to stop ‘sleepwalking through her life’ and put herself in the driver's seat of living her life without regret. You’ll also learn about pickleball, what Debbie calls her ‘constant void’, and how hearts and Glenda the Good Witch inspire her.

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod167

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

  • Karen C.L. Anderson was the chosen family member to be the legal guardian for her grandmother. This decision surprised Karen because her mother and mom’s siblings were also options. Karen shares her caregiving story and how it has informed her life’s work. She is a master-certified life coach and author helping adult daughters with difficult mothers take care of themselves in that relationship.

    In this episode, we go deep into setting healthy boundaries and creating an intentional identity. We discuss when estrangement may be the right option, how to break unhealthy cycles to heal our trauma, and the benefits of kale and Words with Friends.

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod166

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

  • Lynn Abaté-Johnson understands the typhoon of emotions and responsibilities that come with caring for a loved one. For over six years, Lynn was the primary caregiver for her mother. Lynn says she discovered how to blossom through (and after) caregiving rather than let it drown her. Now she helps other family caregivers by giving them the emotional and logistical support they need.

    In this episode, Lynn and I chat about grief relief, matriarchy expectations, unexpected respite, and online journals to help streamline communication surrounding a health journey.

    Show notes with product and resource links:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPod165

    Receive the podcast in your email here:

    http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

    Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

    http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

    For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

    https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

    The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

    https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW