In this caregiver spotlight episode, meet Amy Goyer who has been a family caregiver her entire adult life. She’s provided care for her grandparents, parents and sister. Amy’s professional career is also related to caregiving. In this episode, we talk about acceptance, government resources for caregivers, keeping our loved one independent, creating joy, the Grateful Dead, and how our personal self-care is not unlike how we care for our cars.
Listen to the show: Caregiver Spotlight – Amy Goyer
Due to the length of the show, this Caregiver Spotlight is divided into two parts.
Part 1
Show Sponsor
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Words of Encouragement
Each episode starts with a few words of inspiration or motivation pulled from the Happy Healthy Caregiver Jar.
Links & Resources Mentioned
- Amy serves as AARP’s national Family and Caregiving Expert, columnist, and spokesperson, and has a Caregiving YouTube series in which she shares her personal caregiving journey and practical, actionable tips for caregivers. She’s also the author of two book and can often be found speaking and consulting on caregiving and family issues.
- Amy and Elizabeth met at the National Caregiving Conference.
- National Associate of Area Agencies on Aging is the first place that Amy tends to send caregivers for support.
- Veterans Affairs offers practical resources for personal care, home-based primary care, and respite care.
- Mobile Physician Services is one resource you can use to locate a doctor who will come to you
- Amy has an analogy that equates our day-to-day self-care with car maintenance.
- Quick tank fillers – short energy boosts like a cup of coffee, petting your animal, jumping jacks, or singing a song
- Premium fill-ups – usually take an hour or two like attending an exercise class, golfing, hiking, going out for dinner, or watching a movie
- Tune-Ups – necessary time away from caregiving like a staycation, vacation or a retreat
- Routine Maintenance – such as wellness visits, essential amount of sleep, and financial stability
- Amy partnered with AARP to create “Color Your Way Content When Caring for a Loved One, ” including inspirational quotes and coloring pages.
- Amy’s book: “Juggling Life, Work and Caregiving” includes assessment guides, personal anecdotes and creating a plan.
- “How to Create Joy” YouTube video shows how caregivers can view outings as adventures and just be silly
- Amy YouTube video about tracing her dad’s WWII memories
- AARP’s Family Caregiving webpage includes articles, videos, a free Prepare to Care guide, and a q&a community.
- The lightning round questions came from Elizabeth’s Just for You: a Daily Self-Care Journal
- Amy and I talk about how we are inspired to organize by watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix
- Check out Once Upon a Time Creation for ideas to create custom sentimental keepsakes from your loved ones clothing such as teddy bears, pillows, or quilts.
- Amy Goyer’s website, Facebook, and Twitter
- Interested in hosting your own podcast? Launch your show on the Whole Care Network.
Favorite moments & quotes from the episode
I was expecting myself to run on empty and run just as efficiently on empty. My car runs more efficiently with a full tank of gas and I do too.
I feel good about what I’ve done. I’ve learned so much and grown as a human being. #AmyGoyer
Stay in touch
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- Join the Happy Healthy Caregiver Facebook Group and our Facebook Page
- Twitter: @HHCaregiver
- Subscribe to the Happy Healthy Caregiver newsletter to stay up to date on the latest posts & events.
- Email me with questions or comments about the show or to request information about sponsoring the show.
