Are you a caregiver for someone? Do you ever get overwhelmed? You will want to listen to this week's podcast. My friend Suzette Katopodes was our special guest this week.
Suzette is a wife of 34 yrs., mom of four, sister, Grandma Suzie to six, and family caregiver. Looking back on her life, you might even say she is a serial caregiver, as she has cared for multiple family members over the years.
She believes her purpose is to encourage and inform other family caregivers–past, present, and future. The truth is, if you haven’t been a caregiver yet, you will likely be one or need one someday. And she wants to make the caregiving life just a little bit easier for others.
Her caregiving history
● Dad: She helped care for her dad through a series of illnesses–heart disease, cancer, and COPD.
● Mom: Mom, who is aging gracefully and with dignity, is 93. She suffered from a heart attack, bouts of congestive heart failure, and edema. All while caring for her sister, Michelle, who had down syndrome. (She is an inspiring example.)
● Michelle: While mom had a months-long stint of illness and repeat stays in rehab, her sister came to live with her and her husband. They had one son left at home, and they were both working full-time. When mom’s rehab was complete, they suggested Michelle stay with them.
It wasn’t long after that they started noticing changes in Michelle, and after a bit of research, they learned that people with Down Syndrome would get Alzheimer’s Disease up to 50% more than people without Downs. Over the next few months, their suspicions were confirmed, her sister, sweet Michelle had Alzheimer’s Disease, which slowly took over her brain and their lives.
They cared for Michelle for five years until God called her home in January 2023.
You can connect with Suzette on Instasgram at Suzette | Family Caregiver (@myconcretedove) • Instagram photos and videos
Check out her podcast here Caregiver Strong Podcast - My Concrete Dove
Go to her blog here Home - My Concrete Dove
Make sure we are connected too.
Find me on Instagram MICHELE BOWMAN (@confidentchristianwomen) • Instagram photos and videos
