In this caregiver spotlight episode, meet family caregiver Angela DiAnna. Angela works full-time and is an only child. She cares for her mom who has MSA (Multiple System Atrophy). We talk about looking for a job while caregiving, the a-ha moment that Angela received from the National Caregiving Conference and how she learned to ask for help.
Listen to the show: Caregiver Spotlight – Angela DiAnna
Words of Encouragement
Each episode starts off with a few words of inspiration or motivation that is pulled from the Happy Healthy Caregiver Jar.
Links & Resources Mentioned
- Angela’s mom was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease but then they altered her diagnosis to actually be MSA (Multiple System Atrophy) which has many Parkinson’s like symptoms
- We referenced Michael J. Fox who has helped bring awareness to Parkinson’s Disease through the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
- In fall 2017, Angela’s mom (who was a widow for 13 years) moved from her home in Florida to Angela’s home in Chicago and recently they moved and purchased a condo together.
- One of the resources that helped Angela learn about MSA: Northwestern Neurology Division of Movement Disorders
- Angela and her mom moved their investments to the same Financial Planner and two different Eldercare Law Attorneys.
- Liz O’Donnell’s Working Daughter website provides a community for caregivers balancing caregiving and career.
- Angela and I met at the 2017 National Caregiving Conference – just three weeks after her mom had moved to the Chicago area. She also met my sister Susie. During one of the first morning sessions which was on the topic of balancing work and caregiving, Angela had an a-ha moment about her job when she realized that she was really dong 95% personal work for her boss at her Executive Assistant job and new that being essentially a caregiver at work and at home was not sustainable for her. So she made a career change and found a position that worked for her.
- Click here for the details about attending the 2018 National Caregiving Conference either in person or virtually.
- Angela has learned how to ask for help. She made plans to take a trip to Curacao by reaching out to a few of her mom’s Florida girlfriends who are coming to visit and help.
- Angela mentions how her dog Hank is an encourager for her and gets her out of the house. Click here to learn how pets can improve our health and happiness.
- Angela also enjoys cooking and does meal prep on Sundays.
- You can connect with Angela and see some of her wonderful photography (and her dog Hank!) on Instagram.
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Favorite moments & quotes from the episode
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