Shows
A Season of Caring PodcastCaring with Connection and Compassion: Stories of Hope with Amanda BaileySend us a textIn this heartfelt episode of A Season of Caring Podcast, host Rayna Neises is joined by Amanda Bailey, who bravely shares her journey as a secondary caregiver for her mother with Alzheimer's. This episode delves into the rapid progression of the disease and the challenges Amanda encountered while supporting her father, the primary caregiver. The conversation underscores the critical role of asking for help and the necessity of building robust support systems for caregivers.The discussion also touches on the benefits of reminiscent therapy, offering profound connections and comfort to those...2024-07-1825 minA Season of Caring PodcastBest of 2023: Delivering Comfort and Purpose: Stories of Hope with Tonja MoonSend us a textJoin Rayna Neises as she learns about the mission of The Grand Baby Project with Tonja Moon, founder. In this touching episode, Tonja unravels her personal narrative of caring for her dementia-stricken grandmother, revealing the unexpected calming power of lifelike baby dolls and they offer joy and a sense of purpose to those battling with memory loss. As we traverse Tonja's journey, we uncover the triumphs, the struggles, and the surprising response of men with dementia to this therapy.But that's not all. As we delve deeper, the conversation sheds light...2023-12-1424 minA Season of Caring PodcastEncore Episode #1 Advocacy as CaregiversSend us a textEncore Episode #1, Rayna Neises, your host, talks with Carlos Olivas III. Carlos was a guest last year on the podcast and immediately comes to mind when thinking about advocacy. In fact, in December of 2022 Carlos was honored as being a Congressional Advocate of the Year in California. Since 2016, he has been the primary caregiver for his father living with Alzheimer’s. During this caregiving season, Carols has been able to connect, encourage, and empathize with caregivers from around the world. The journey has inspired him to advocate for elder health policy and the practic...2022-12-2922 minA Season of Caring PodcastCaregiver Toolbox: Becoming a ‘Detective’ for Your Loved OneSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on her interview last week with Angie Rischpater (Episode 143). Angie is a physical therapist and she shared how, as a caregiver, you can be an observer or a detective to help your loved one. Instead of swooping in and taking, you can just support. Rayna continues with the topic offering the following suggestions:[1:32] Deal with the problem and not the symptom by digging down and finding the root of the problem.[3:29] Steps to becoming a good observer:[3:45] Understand the difference between observing and looking[4:15] Be mindful of...2022-11-1714 minA Season of Caring PodcastCaregiver Toolbox: Identity and Self-compassionSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on caregiver identity and self-compassion from her interview last week with Charlotte Bayala (Episode 141). Rayna continues with those topics offering the following information:[1:40] Putting on a caregiver identity can take some time.[3:00] The caregiving season can surprise many people with how it impacts your identity.[4:00] Caregiver is just another hat.[5:00] Extending grace to yourself is something to work on.[6:00] Ways to offer grace:[6:57] Thinking about how you evaluate your mistakes or actions can help you have a picture of how to be a little kinder to yourself.[9:14] Focusin...2022-11-0316 minA Season of Caring PodcastKnowing When and How to Step InSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on her interview last week with Carolyn Birrell (Episode 139). Carolyn is the author of Walking with Fay: A Mother’s Unchartered Path into Dementia. While describing her caregiving journey, she talked about how difficult it was to navigate knowing when and how to step in to offer support for her mother. Since most everyone will deal with this issue, Rayna continues with the topic offering the following suggestions:[1:10] There are eight areas to consider when determining whether or not parents need more support:[2:00] Family Relationships[4:13] Home Safety[6:03] Medical...2022-10-2020 minA Season of Caring PodcastLeaning Into Love and Respite for Compassion FatigueSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on her interview last week with Dr. Ed Smink (Episode 137). Dr. Ed shared his personal experience with burnout and how important it is to be aware of compassion fatigue. Rayna continues the conversation with tips on how leaning into love and respite can help overcome this condition for family caregivers:[1:06] Compassion fatigue is described as a condition characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion, leading to a diminished ability to empathize or feel compassion for others.[6:27] What would happen if you wrapped him in a hug and told him...2022-10-0616 minA Season of Caring PodcastMore Caregiver Tools: Routines and FaithSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on her interview last week with Deb Kelsey-Davis (Episode 125). Deb shared how technology impacted her caregiving season and helped her with self-care. Rayna continues the conversation with tips on how creating routines can be a helpful tool for caregivers. In addition, she explores how faith can impact caregiving: [1:00] The key to self-care is that it is not a one-time event but instead an ongoing routine or habit.[2:25] When we make time for things we love and schedule in fun, we have a happier life overall. [4:13] Think about th...2022-09-2219 minA Season of Caring PodcastBenefits of Pity Parties and Understanding the Dying ProcessSend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on her interview last week with Betsy Wurzel Sloan who was a caregiver for her husband who had Early Onset Alzheimer’s. Betsy shared her experiences with her caregiving journey and explained that she gave herself permission to have Pity Parties. She also talked about the dying process. Rayna shares more on both important subjects: [1:30] Pity Parties are helpful and provide the opportunity to vent your feelings.[2:18] Self-Pity can lead to Self-Compassion.[3:40] There are many euphemisms for death and dying.[6:34] When you hear some of the key phrases...2022-09-0818 minA Season of Caring PodcastCaregiver Tips: Self-Care is not an Option and ‘Pity Parties’ are Okay!Send us a textThis week, Rayna Neises, your host, speaks with Betsy Wurzel Sloan. Betsy is a retired nurse and teacher’s aide who now has her own talk show. She is the caregiver for her special needs adult son, and she has helped her mother-in-law, father, and husband as they experienced Alzheimer’s. Through the journey with her husband, Betsy feels that she found her gifts, power, and voice. She now works to raise awareness of Early Onset Alzheimer’s with her mission to help no one walk the journey alone during caregiving or after. Betsy p...2022-09-0127 minA Season of Caring PodcastLearning with the Caregiver WarriorSend us a textThis week, Rayna Neises, your host, speaks with Susanne White. Susanne was able to care for her parents and venture out on a caregiving journey that would change her life. She is now a blogger and author of the book, ‘Self Care for Caregivers’ which will be released in early September. Susanne shares her experience, strength, and hope with others so that they can survive caregiving with grace and empowerment. She provides the following insights: (5:07) When caregiving, if you are trying to control or manipulate, your loved one will know that.(7:11) Being more self-a...2022-08-1823 min