We only receive one body for a whole lifetime. Physical self-care is essential. Stay active, fuel with good nutrition, and enjoy quality sleep. Check out our emotional self-care page for resources focused on mental health.
Podcast Episodes
The Enlightened Caregiver
Dr. Tina Sadarangani is a sandwich generation caregiver and an NYU Assistant Professor who is a board-certified adult and geriatric nurse practitioner. Even though she is a clinician with a PhD focused on aging, she still finds navigating our healthcare system difficult as the quarterback of the family’s care team. In this episode, we talk about what Dr. Tina would do to improve our healthcare system for family caregivers, her mobile app that helps families better manage a person’s day-to-day health needs, what grief relief feels like, why boundaries are game changers for her, and how she got lucky in life.
Boomerang Care
Heather Henderson is what I’m calling a boomerang family caregiver since she has moved in with her mom to be her primary caregiver at various times in her life. Heather initially became a primary caregiver overnight in 2003 when her parents were in a fatal car accident – her dad did not survive, and her mom was seriously injured. She moved home to care for mom until she was fully recovered. Fifteen years later, Heather became her mom’s primary caregiver again and moved back in with her while working two jobs. In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, we discuss the ‘joint joys’ she and her mom shared, how volunteering and cat videos have helped her heal since caring for her mom has ended, how her clean skincare business got started, and how fitness classes in all the phases of her life have kept her grounded and connected to others.
Managing Falls
Steve Powell cared for both of his parents as their health and mobility declined. His experiences mitigating many falls for his parents, prompted his invention of a device designed to lift individuals safely and comfortably off the floor. In this episode, Steve and I chat about aging in place, fall prevention, perfectionism, and why he has the well-deserved nickname of ‘The Singing Wine Maker.’
- Navigating Caregiving Resources – Alyse Dunn
- A Nomad Caregiving Life – Anthony Copeland Parker
Articles & Event Replays
From Our Gift Shop
Books
Stay Active
- Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
- The Self-Care Solution: A Year of Becoming Happier, Healthier, and Fitter by Jennifer Ashton, M.D.
- Hello New Me: A Daily Food and Exercise Journal by Happy Books
- Already Toast: Caregiving and Burnout in America by Kate Washington
- Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin
Sleep Better
Good Nutrition & Immunity
Other Physical Self-Care & Caregiving Resources
- Digital Course: Six Steps to Infusing Self-Care into Your Caregiving Life
- Visit Meals on Wheels and Feeding America to find meal options in your care recipient’s zip code.
- Medicare Information
- Hospital Stay, Discharge Planning, Rehab, and Home Care Guides & Checklists