Caregiver's Compass
Episodes
How My Dad First Reacted to my Mom’s FTD Diagnosis (Episode 50)
02 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Stephanie shares the real and raw experience of her mom’s diagnosis and how her father responded to the changes and ultimate FTD di...
What is Palliative Care and Does Palliation Mean that My Loved One is Dying? (with Hospice Executive Director, Nadine Persaud)-Episode 49
26 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, social worker and hospice executive director, Nadine Persaud discusses,in detail, the differences between palliative care, comfort ca...
GUILT in Caregiving- how it arises, how to manage it, and the differences between guilt vs. shame (with Wendy Williams) (Episode 48)
19 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever felt guilty as a caregiver? You are NOT alone. Guilt in caregiving is so common. In this episode, caregiver (to her husband, son, daught...
How Do I Know if I am a Caregiver (Demystifying the Definition of a Caregiver and the Stigma Associated With It/ Identifying as a Caregiver When Society Says You Are Not) (Episode 47)
12 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Am I a caregiver? People tell me I am a caregiver but I don’t think I am one. Society tells me I’m not a caregiver but I feel like one.Have you ...
The LONG Journey to my Mom’s FTD Diagnosis (Episode 46)
05 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Stephanie talks about the (several year long) process and journey to her mom’s diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia. Stephanie speak...
The importance of locating a licensed clinician when it comes to navigating mental health support AND art therapy with Licensed Mental Health Counselor And Registered Art Therapist, Erica Curcio (Episode 45)
29 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered what to look for or even where to start when searching for a therapist? Have you felt confused and lost when it came to locatin...
How to navigate parenting and supporting children who are exposed to a family member experiencing a neurological or physical shift- with behaviour consultant, Cori Stern (Episode 44)
22 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Learning Specialist and Behaviour Consultant Cori Stern discusses the difficulties many parents in the sandwich generation face when ...
Caring for an aging family member while in the ‘sandwich’ also caring for children (Episode 43)
15 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Caregiving in the sandwich generation is becoming more and more common. Individuals are living longer and requiring support as they age while parents ...
Caring for a parent that you have a trauma history with (Episode 42)
08 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Stephanie details how difficult it can be to care for a parent that was abusive and/or who was the instigator of traumatic experiences with the caregi...
Something was very wrong- the changes I started to recognize prior to my mom's diagnosis (Episode 41)
01 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Stephanie discusses the concerning changes she started to see in her mom that eventually led to her seeking out a neurological diagnos...
Our TOP FIVE episodes from season one that you don’t want to miss!
15 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Stephanie summarizes the top 5 episodes from season one of Caregiver’s Compass- trust us, you don’t want to miss these. 1) Episod...
Stephanie had a baby & BIG upcoming podcast updates! (Episode 40)
08 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Stephanie discusses her recent major life changes (she had a baby!) and upcoming changes coming to Caregiver’s Compass. Visit us on...
Moving from Across the World to Care for a Parent with Cognitive Decline and Turning Experienced Gaps in Caregiving into a Career- with Anna Cantor (Episode 39)
01 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Anna Cantor discusses finding out about her mom's cognitive decline from across the world and moving home to provide care for he...
Accessing Mental Health Supports and Navigating the Healthcare System as a Caregiver from a Marginalized Group/ Community in North America- With Natacha Pennycooke (Episode 38)
25 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Natacha and Stephanie discuss how one can go about accessing mental health supports as a caregiver, particularly if their culture/com...
Spreading Alzheimer's Awareness and Continuing a Legacy Following a Grandparent's Diagnosis- with Roxanne Santiago (Episode 37)
18 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Roxanne discusses the impact her grandfather's Alzheimer's diagnosis had on her grandmother who was his primary caregiver. ...
How to Incorporate Exercise and Movement into a Daily Routine, Even When Chronic Illness or Aging is of Concern, and the Benefits to Movement and Exercise on the Brain and the Body- with Sarah Pludwinski (Episode 36)
11 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, registered kinesiologist Sarah Pludwinski discusses how a caregiver or a loved one can incorporate exercise and movement into daily l...
Managing Travel/ Vacations as a Caregiver- Navigating the Stress Associated with Leaving your Loved One Temporarily and Establishing Care While You Are Away (Episode 35)
04 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Stephanie discusses how to navigate the guilt, anxiety and overwhelm that caregivers can when traveling. She also discusses practical ...
Voluntarily Caring for a Loved One and Experiencing Caregiving as a Gift Providing Meaning in Daily Life- with Kris McCabe (Episode 34)
25 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
At the age of 29, Kris McCabe made the decision to care full-time for her 'grams' living with Alzheimer's. 5 years later she has never ...
Caring for 2 Parents Simultaneously as an Only Child and Starting a Family Without a Mother or Father by Your Side- with Lani Lipson (Episode 33)
18 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Lani Lipson, co-founder of ee-mah very candidly opens up about her experiences caring for both her mother and father simultaneously i...
The research behind systemic barriers in accessing social and physical supports for children and their caregivers following surgery for epilepsy and how we can look to improve the healthcare system- with professor Lucy Lach (Part 2) (Episode 32)
11 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, esteemed professor Lucy Lach discusses her many years of research looking at the outcomes for caregivers of a child with epilepsy, pa...
The research behind systemic barriers in accessing social and physical supports for children and their caregivers following surgery for epilepsy and how we can look to improve the healthcare system- with professor Lucy Lach (Part 1) (Episode 31)
11 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, esteemed professor Lucy Lach discusses her many years of research looking at the outcomes for caregivers of a child with epilepsy, pa...
Trauma as a result of caregiving (particularly as a result of caring for a child with a disability) with Donna Thomson (Part 2) (Episode 30)
28 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Trauma as a result of caregiving (particularly as a result of caring for a child with a disability) with Donna Thomson (Part 2) (Episode 30)Donna Thom...
Trauma as a result of caregiving (particularly as a result of caring for a child with a disability) with Donna Thomson (Part 1) (Episode 29)
21 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Donna Thomson, a well-known advocate for caregivers, joins Stephanie in this episode to discuss her experiences as a caregiver both to her father and ...
Saying 'No' during caregiving when you are at your wits' end- a real case example of a primary caregiver with a loved one admitted to hospital. (Episode 28)
14 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode Stephanie shares a real case example of a very overwhelmed primary caregiver who had to say 'no' and take a step bac...
'What do I do when a family member/ friend keeps contacting me about their 'trivial concerns' while I am navigating crises? This is very frustrating to me.' (Episode 27)
07 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We all have that person in our lives- they are well-meaning and do not recognize it but will reach out to us ongoing about concerns that are very mini...
The Journey After Caregiving- what happens once caregiving ends? The grief, happiness and everything in between once you are no longer caring for a loved one- with Adrienne Glusman (Episode 26).
31 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 26 of Caregiver's Compass, Adrienne discusses her experiences since her mom's passing 18 months ago (from Multiple System Atrophy...
'Stay out of it - you are caring at a distance'- Living as a long-distance daughter and exploring the myths when it comes to long distance caregiving and the differences between caring at a distance vs. caring for a loved one at close proximity: with Laur
24 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Laura Smothers-Chu (founder of Befriended Heart, LLC) discusses what it can be like as a long-distance daughter and a lon...
Channeling Grief into Helping Others (in a Very Big Way)- Creating a Podcast and Growing an Incredible Support Community After Navigating the Stressful World of FTD and ALS, With Remember Me's Maria Kent Beers. (Episode 24)
17 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Maria Kent Beers, one of the co-creators of the Remember Me Podcast, talks to Stephanie about how she channeled her grief into helping others and crea...
Comparing yourself and your life to others around you? This may be just the episode you need. (Episode 23)
10 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It is completely normal to compare yourself to other caregivers and other people around you. Why do others have more help when it comes to caring for ...
Navigating the Holidays as a Parent Caring for an Aging Loved One (in the sandwich generation) (Episode 22)
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The holidays can be a very difficult time as a caregiver- add the stress of being a parent, and negative emotions can go to a whole other level.In thi...
Author Brandon Burke on How Caring for his Father Shifted His Career and Entire Meaning of Life (Episode 21)
26 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Brandon Burke is an inspiring author who has taken the impact of his experience as a young caregiver and turned it into a passion for helping others i...
“Help! My Mom is Not Eating!” -Navigating the Dietetic Needs of a Loved One with Dementia with Registered Dietitian Molly Robinson (Episode 20)
19 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Registered Dietitian Molly Robinson discusses some of the common nutrition concerns of care partners and talks about the importance of having an exper...
It is SO hard for me to ask for help as a caregiver. What do I do? (Episode 19)
12 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Do you feel like it's extremely difficult for you to ask for help as a caregiver? You are NOT alone. As caregivers it can be daunting to ask for ...
What Exactly Can Therapy Do For Caregivers (Episode 18)
05 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Stephanie discusses the realities and debunks the myths when it comes to therapy. She talks about the benefits that therapy can provid...
Music Therapy in Caregiving and Dementia Care- with Music Therapist Karla Wilson (Episode 17)
29 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Music therapy yields fantastic outcomes and in this episode, board certified music therapist Karla Wilson discusses how clients can now access music t...
The Benefits of an Adult Day Program and Locating an Excellent Facility- with Carrie Aalberts (Episode 16)
22 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Certified Dementia Practitioner, Carrie Aalberts, discusses her role as the director of an adult daycare center and the true ...
Substitute Decision Makers, Powers of Attorney and Legal Matters in Caregiving- with Family Health Lawyer Lisa Feldstein (Episode 15)
15 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, family health lawyer Lisa Feldstein goes into the nitty gritty when it comes to the tough legal decisions pertaining to caregiving in...
My 27 Year Caregiving Journey'- balancing care for a bipolar husband, two special needs children and a mother with complex medical needs (Episode 14)
08 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Wendy Williams discusses her 20+ year journey caring for her husband, who has severe rapid cycle type 1 bipolar disorder, while also ...
I Am Grieving But My Loved One Is Still Alive- The Ongoing Cycles of Grief During Caregiving (Episode 13)
01 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Most of us have heard about grief that is experienced when someone dies, but not much is discussed in terms of the grief that is experienced while som...
Managing a Business While Caring for Others- With Business Coach, Lianne Kim (Episode 12)
24 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Stephanie speaks to Lianne Kim, business coach and founder of Mamas and Co. who shares her insights into balancing and managing a bus...
Relationship expert Allison Villa explores how to navigate difficulties in romantic relationships that can arise when a partner is a caregiver (Episode 11)
17 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Allison discusses what she has termed, The Relationship Seasons’ and discusses how partners in a romantic relationship can navigate...
How do I stay hopeful during such low and difficult times? (Episode 10)
10 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The last 18+ months have been full of uncertainty, isolation and confusion. Add all our daily responsibilities the emotions we feel and life can seem ...
Managing Caregiver’s Guilt (Episode 09)
03 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Stephanie discusses 4 main areas when caregivers can often feel guilt. Stephanie explores how these feelings can be managed in the mom...
Turning Lemons Into Lemonade: How a former caregiver transformed his difficult experiences into a meaningful second career- with Bill Cohen (Episode 08)
27 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bill Cohen is a caregiver support group leader and speaker, an Alzheimer's Association volunteer, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®, and the owner...
The Power of a True Care Partnership- with Patti LaFleur (Episode 07)
20 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Patti LaFleur is a full-time care partner for her mom, Linda, who has been diagnosed with dementia and type 1 diabetes. She is also a significant supp...
Is it Normal to Feel THIS Overwhelmed as a Caregiver? (Episode 06)
13 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode Stephanie talks about the different factors that can lead to significant feelings of overwhelm as a caregiver and speaks about wa...
Role Shifts in the Family System: Chaos and upheaval in the family and navigating breaks in family dynamics as a result of a loved one’s diagnosis (Episode 05)
06 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today Stephanie shares an anonymous* case example from her personal hospital experience to show how an entire family system can fall apart as a result...
The INTENSIVE Caregiver: Caring for a Spouse, Working as a Professor and Parenting a Young Child - With Brian Smith (Episode 04)
30 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by Brian Smith-an engineer and professor, a father to a 7 year-old and a caregiver to his wife who has lived with Multiple scleros...
The Incredible Impact of Art Therapy - With Erica Curcio (Episode 03)
23 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by Registered Art Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Erica Curcio, who discusses the incredible impact art therapy ca...
Therapists Are Caregivers Too (Episode 02)
16 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Stephanie talks about her previous caregiving experiences with her mom and a recent incident in which she was told her mom would pass away after she w...
Welcome to Caregiver's Compass!
09 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Caregiver's Compass! In this episode Stephanie talks all about what you can find on our podcast. This podcast is meant to uplift, insp...
Caregiver's Compass
06 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is Caregiver's Compass. An uplifting, inspirational podcast talking about all things caregiving. Therapist Stephanie Muskat takes you throug...