Intellectual Self-Care
Intellectual self-care is about enriching our minds, broadening our skills, and trying new things. Below are resources to help you grow and keep life interesting.
Podcast Episodes
My Caregiving Mission
In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, meet Mark Wilson, a former senior leader at Taco Bell with a focus on organization and people development. After retiring early to care for his mom, who lived with mixed dementia, Mark embraced the role of a ‘Care Leader.’ Combining his corporate HR skills with his caregiving journey, he developed a dedicated care mission, hired and retained top-notch professional caregivers, and became a passionate learner about dementia care. In this episode, we also delve into Mark’s new missions since his caregiving duties have ended and explore how ‘holy moments’ and the ‘mood elevator’ have shaped his daily life.
Learning New Care Skills
Steve Guttenberg is a beloved Hollywood actor, known for his role in films including Diner, Police Academy, Short Circuit, Three Men and a Baby, Cocoon, and television shows including Ballers and Veronica Mars. We have enjoyed Steve Guttenberg in many roles and now I’d like to spotlight maybe the role that was the most difficult for Steve – the role of family caregiver to his dad and hero, Stanley. Steve wrote about his care experience while reflecting on his childhood and Hollywood career in his new book, Time to Thank. We learn about why Steve and his sister pursued home dialysis training, how Hollywood’s portrayal of care and death differ from real life, the self-love creed Steve recited with his dad, and all the terrific micro acts of self-care Steve practices to remain happy and healthy.
Exploring Alzheimer's Treatments
Dr. Zahydie L. Burgos Ribot cares for her husband, Francisco, also known as Pako, who is living with Young Onset Familial Alzheimer’s Disease. In this episode, Zahydie and Pako share their caregiving journey. They talk about how they took time to understand and cope with Pako’s diagnosis and process their feelings of grief before telling others. They also discuss Pako’s treatment, including E2814 therapy and Leqembi medication, which help slow down Pako’s Alzheimer’s. They talk about how they focus on living each day with intention and enjoy crossing off things from their bucket list.
- Creating Your Self-Care Team – Nikki Nurse
- Our Long-Term Care Crisis – Susie Singer Carter
- Massive Acceptance, Radical Presence – Sue Ryan
- Working, Community Care, Advocating – Aisha Adkins
- Sustainable Caregiving – Theresa Wilbanks
- Communicating with Dementia Care Recipients – Teepa Snow
- Balancing the Selflessness Sacrifices – Richard Lui
- What is Hospice? – Helen Bauer
- Navigating Military Caregiving – Caira Benson
- Hemp Benefits – Inesa Ponomariovaite
- Your Caregiving Life on the Big Screen – Pat Moffett
- Communicating with Persons with Dementia – Cathy Braxton
- Changing Care Policies – Lynette Whiteman
- Advocating for Loved Ones – Beth Suereth
- Family Dynamics – Margaret Fitzpatrick
- Helping Your Autistic Brother Create Purpose – Tiffany Chou
- Everything You Want to Know About Hospice – Barbara Karnes
Articles & Event Replays
- A Digital Course from Happy Healthy Caregiver
- How Certified Senior Advisors can Help Family Caregivers
- The Best Birthday Freebies
- Replay: Practical Care Training
- Book haul: Stay Cozy with some Intellectual Self Care
- A Day In A Life For My Sister Susie (Mom's Caregiver)
- Agree to Agree When Caring for Someone With Dementia
- Working with Professional Caregivers (Replay)
From Our Gift Shop
Non-Fiction Resources
Energize Your Brain
Other Intellectual Self-Care & Caregiving Resources
- AARP Family Caregiving – Information to address concerns about care recipients in nursing homes, dealing with forced isolation, stocking up on medications, what Medicare covers, etc.
- CaringBoost training videos for family caregivers (over 30 in-depth lessons)
- Area Agencies on Aging
- See our Resources for family caregivers page for more support. And find promo codes and discounts from Happy Healthy Caregiver partners.