My Favorite Girl Caregivers Corner

What happens 'When Caregiving and Grief Collide? In this deeply personal episode, I open up about my raw experience with grief following the devastating loss of my best friend and sister on August 1, 2023. Each day, I navigate the pain of her absence while also caring for my mom, who is living with dementia—a daily reminder of loss, even as she is physically present but no longer recognizes me. Someone once said, "One of the hardest things you will ever do is grieve the loss of a person who is still alive," and I wholeheartedly agree. It's a complex journey of love and heartache. I'm joined by CherylAnn Haley, a dear friend and fellow care partner. Like me, she lost her best friend in September 2023 and is also caring for her mother, who, too, lives with dementia. Together, we explore the intersection of caregiving and grief, discussing what happens when these two worlds collide. To enrich our conversation, we welcomed Felicia Allen, a Certified Grief Counselor, who helps guide us through the emotional landscape we're navigating. Our shared experiences created a powerful dialogue that I hope will resonate with many of you facing similar challenges. As you listen, my prayer is that you find inspiration, strength, and grace to hold and keep walking the path God has set for you on this journey. While you're here...Subscribe To the Channel! Thank you

If you've listened to this podcast at all or have been following my  Caregiver journey, you know I care for my mom who is living with Alzheimer's dementia. Alzheimer's and any other form of dementia is a brain disease. Often, we talk about our physical health, mental health, and even spiritual health, but few people consider or even mention the importance of keeping our brains healthy. On this episode, my guest, Whitney Scott and I, delve into the conversation and we're talking, “Brain Health.”

On this episode of the podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with Kristal Cooley, the Alzheimer's Association Program Manager for Tallahassee, FL and surrounding areas, to discuss the association and the ways in which they are leading the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementias. Kristal shares the different support services and programs offered by the Alzheimer's Association and how those who need the services can obtain them. The Alzheimer's Association has a 24/7 Support Helpline. If you need help, please reach out by calling 800.272.3900. Contact Kristal Cooley at kmcooley@alz.org.

On this episode, my guest Andrea LoPiccolo, shares the story of her dear friend being diagnosed with dementia and how it drew her to becoming an Alzheimer's Advocate.

November is National Family Caregivers Appreciation Month and all month long, I'll be sitting down talking with some amazing Caregiver Heros who deserved to be celebrated for the selfless care they are giving to their loved ones. On this episode, I sit down and talk with CherylAnn Haley who is serving her mother, Sandy. "Some days in this journey are harder than others. It is no secret to my Mom that her brain is changing, and sometimes those changes just stink. Sometimes we talk about what she is afraid she will miss or how we cannot do the things we used to. Over the years this dynamic duo has, however, learned to roll with the bunches." (Snippet of CherylAnn's Facebook post from July 16, 2023.) Play the episode and hear more of CherylAnn's Care Journey.

November is National Family Caregivers Appreciation Month, and Season 4 of the My Favorite Girl Caregivers Corner Podcast will be all about CELEBRATING CAREGIVERS. On this episode, I had the privilege of sitting down and talking with Tallahassee Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox. Not only does she serve our city in her current role but she is also Caregiver to her husband of 38 years. Both are demanding positions, yet she does it with such grace, poise, and passion. Take a listen and be inspired and strengthened by her journey. She is truly worthy of celebrating! #celebratingcaregivers #caregiverlife #caregiverspouses #caregiversareheroes #podcast #myfavoritegirlcaregiverscorner

Hospice began as a response to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and families facing a life-limiting illness. Only one in three eligible patients and families however, experience the benefits of hospice care. There are so many "myths" concerning hospice care that often keep people who need the help from getting it. On this week's episode, my guests and I will disprove those myths and share how the services and programs provided by Big Bend Hospice can benefit you and your family. I'm having the conversation because I, too, believed the myths and delayed on getting the help my mom and I desperately needed on our Care Journey. Today, we take full advantage of the services and programs offered and oh, what a relief it is!

A report by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving reported that one in 10 caregivers is a married person who looks after their spouse. On this episode, I have the privilege of having a conversation with a dear friend and sister, Mrs. Melissa Leon. She is a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a full-time employee, among other things. She is one--a Caregiver who is caring for her spouse. Today, we're talking, “Balancing Being a Caregiver & A Spouse.”

On this week's episode, I have the pleasure of conversing with the President and CEO of Elder Care Services, Inc., Jocelyne "Josie" Fliger. Elder Care Services is the leading provider of community-based senior care. They offer Elder Day Stay, In-Home Services, Nutrition/Meals on Wheels, a Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Outreach Services, Specialized Support, and so much more. Listen and find out how you and/or your loved one can take advantage of this valuable resource. Elder Care Services | 2518 West Tennessee Street | Tallahassee, Florida | (850) 921-5554 | www.eldercarebigbend.org

On this episode, we're talking, Aging & Amazing--being committed to older adults and strengthening the networks that surround them.

January 29, 2022, 12:09 am, will forever be etched in my memory. That was the day, #OurFavoriteGrandma, transitioned to glory. This week's episode is dedicated to celebrating her life, legacy, and what she means to us. Joining me on this episode is none other than Youth Caregiver Extraordinaire, Radio Show Host, and my baby girl (#TheYoungerOne), Kaylin Jean-Louis. We had the honor of serving our grandmother for the last almost 4 years of her life. On this one year anniversary, we joyously remember her. Alzheimer's didn't win, #LOVEWon. Julie Miller Powell...we speak your name and you are forever in our hearts. We love you, Grandma! www.priscillajjean-louis/podcasts

Going from working in Hollywood and being on the top of her game, to losing it all and finding her purpose and passion in Caring. Ashoniti Foster shares her journey of caring and how it all led to her founding her company, Puzzled2020. In our conversation, we also discuss getting a yearly "check up from the neck up." Why should we? How important is it? We're talking about it! Visit Ashoniti's Website: https://puzzled2020.com Follow Ashoniti on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/Puzzled2020/ | Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/puzzled2020/ Follow My Caregiver Journey with #MyFavoriteGirl - Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/myfavoritegirl0904/ | Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/myfavoritegirlalzheimers/ | TikTok @ https://www.tiktok.com/@myfavoritegirlandalz | YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ3O6QxFwdOBzvGKLzKRNJg

The 2023 Alzheimer's Rally in Tally is being held February 7-8, 2023, in Tallahassee, Florida. The rally brings together advocates from across the state to join together to raise awareness and support legislation and funding for the 580,000 Floridians living with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. Jennifer Braisted, Director of Government Affairs for the Alzheimer's Association, State of Florida, joins me to talk about the rally and how we can get involved to help shine a light on Alzheimer's. To register for the rally, text Rally2023 to 52886.

Dear Future Dementia Caregiver, I don't know if you will ever really be prepared for the things that come along with this Caregiver Journey but this season, my and I will share some of my experiences, ways to cope, and some inspiration to help you to Keep Going, Keep Pushing, Keep Loving, and Keep CARING! In this episode, I'm joined by my friend and best-selling author, Vicky Noland Finch. Vicky has 30 years of experience as a professional caregiver and she shares some valuable information and tips to help you as you begin or are on your journey. FOLLOW ME ON ALL MY SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/myfavoritegirl0904 YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ3O6QxFwdOBzvGKLzKRNJgInstagram @ Instagamd @ https://www.instagram.com/myfavoritegirlalzheimers/ TikTok: @ https://www.tiktok.com/@myfavoritegirlandalz?lang=en

Dear Future Dementia Caregiver, as you begin your Caring Journey, myself and my guests will share with you some of our experiences, ways we cope, and some inspiration to keep you motivated as you travel this road. I'd love to tell you that it'll all be smooth caring and every moment will be "a piece of cake." It just simply won't. But guest what? You Can Do It! And never forget . . . (push play and take a listen!) To learn more about me and to listen to more podcasts, please visit my website at www.priscillajjean-louis.com/podcast.

Two women. Different roads. Same Journey. We're both family caregivers who are caring for our mothers in our home, who are living with dementia. And, we're both passionate Alzheimer's Advocates. What an honor it was to sit down with Melissa Wos to talk about Caregiver Life! This is Melissa's Journey! No matter what road you're on, by listening to this episode, may you be inspired to Keep Going, Keep Pushing, Keep Loving, and by all means, Keep CARING!

Kaylin and I are caregivers for my 79-year-old mom and 97-year-old grandmother. We decided we'd take you further into our journey of caring by talking about the "happenings" that come along with caring for our ladies. Take a listen to this candid conversation between myself (a middle-aged caregiver) and my daughter (a young caregiver), as we discuss our "Caregiver Life." This is us...this is our life! Kaylin's Caring Konnection website

In this episode, I have a conversation with Yarissa Ortiz Reyes, the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Engagement with the Alzheimer's Association, and we talk Clinical Trials. We bust the myths and discuss what they are, the different types, why participation is important and needed, and how we all can participate. To learn more about the Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch, click here.

High-quality dementia care training can lead to an improvement in communication between caregivers and individuals living with dementia, a reduction in dementia-related behaviors, and an increase in job satisfaction for staff. The Alzheimer's Association's Person-Centered Dementia Care Training Program offers just that! It educates professional care workers on evidence-based, person-centered practices to care for these persons. In this week's episode, I have a conversation with Katie Fahrenbruch, M.Ed., the Program Manager for the Alzheimer's Association, Central and North Florida Chapter. Katie and I discuss the "essentiALZ Traning, Certification, and Exchange Program that is being offered to direct care workers in long-term or community-based settings in the State of Florida. This is a great opportunity for direct care workers in long-term or community-based settings! To sign up, click the link here.

Research shows that Alzheimer's disproportionately affects minorities, especially African Americans. African-American older adults are approximately two times more likely than non-Hispanic White older adults to develop Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Eighty percent of adults with dementia receive ongoing care in the home from family caregivers. Although caregiving demands are high across races and ethnicities, African Americans spend more time in caregiving activities than non-Hispanic Whites. They also are more likely than other caregivers to perform the most demanding caregiving tasks. Many African-American caregivers experience high levels of emotional distress and compromised health. In this episode, I have a conversation with Mrs. Tomeka Norton-Brown, the Project Coordinator for the ACTS2 Project, discussing their African-American Caregiver's Training & Support Program. The program is absolutely free and is open to caregivers in the state of Florida. The Acts2 Project

June is both Brain Awareness and Alzheimer's Awareness Month. In this week's episode, I had the pleasure of conversing with Sonnie Mayewski, MSW, LCSW, the Coordinator for the Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare Memory Disorder Clinic, regarding the very important topic of Brain Health--what is a healthy brain and how do we maintain it? She also shares information with us regarding the clinic and the services they provide. We also talk about the Tallahassee Walk to End Alzheimer's, and how you can get involved and join the fight to #ENDALZ. Tallahassee Memorial Memory Disorder Clinic Tallahassee Walk To End Alzheimer's (Team #MyFavoriteGirl)

Dementia takes away a lot but as a quote, I found recently states, "There is one thing Alzheimer's can't take away, and that is Love." This week, I chat with my dear friend, Grace Jones Page and we talk about just how special our "Moments With Momma" are still, despite dementia. MY FAVORITE GIRL INSPIRATIONAL CAREGIVER MERCH: https://www.priscillajjean-louis.com/online-store SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A REVIEW Anchor: https://anchor.fm/priscilla-jean-louis YouTube Channel: My Favorite Girl & Alzheimer's Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12bU5vozAW8A7jTHeMcEiv Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy81ZTBmZDgzYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw== Radio Public: https://radiopublic.com/my-favorite-girl-caregivers-corne-6LbOB2 Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/my-favorite-girl-caregivers-corner FOLLOW US IG: @myfavoritegirlalzheimers | My Favorite Girl & Alzheimer's Facebook: My Favorite Girl & Alzheimer's

If you or someone you know is a family caregiver who cares for an aging loved one with dementia, take a listen to this chat with me and my special guest, Katie Rodriguez.