EP 33 Are You Doing it Alone ?
In this episode, Ken Cardita discusses his own experience of narrowly escaping severe caregiver burnout while caring for his wife Shanna, who has Alzheimer's disease - a theme many caregivers dealing with loved ones with dementia will relate to. He unpacks the myth of having to do everything on one's own and shares how seeking help and overcoming his own initial resistance to asking for assistance led to more joy and less stress. Ken also details his and Shanna's journey through the various stages of Alzheimer's, offering insights on key learnings, regrets, and relief brought about by specific decisions. He elaborates on how various available resources and community support groups helped his own healing and recovery, encouraging listeners to do the same. The podcast also features a powerful testament to its impact from a listener who has benefited instantly from listening to these supportive episodes.
Topics covered in this episode :
- 00:00 Introduction and Personal Struggles with Caregiving
- 00:46 Podcast Introduction and Episode Overview
- 02:05 Listener's Feedback and Appreciation
- 04:06 Personal Story: The Lone Wolf Caregiver
- 07:34 The Realization: Caregiving Requires a Team
- 09:03 The Journey: Different Stages of Caregiving
- 14:49 Lessons Learned: What I Would Have Done Differently
- 18:53 Things I'm Grateful For: The Right Decisions
- 24:14 Where Are You on Your Journey? Getting Help
- 24:58 Free Resources for Caregivers
- 26:57 The Importance of Community and Support
- 30:20 The Power of Teaching and Learning
- 33:31 Appreciation for Podcast Listeners and Final Thoughts
- 35:29 Podcast Conclusion and Final Recommendations