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Happy Healthy Caregiver Podcast, Episode 158: Balancing Life as a Young Carer with Ashley Bendiksen

Ashley Bendiksen cared for her mom, who developed early-onset Alzheimer’s. She chronicled her 8-year caregiving journey in her memoir The Language of Time, which originated from her personal journals. Ashley served as Chairwoman of her local Walk to End Alzheimer’s, where nearly $500K was raised for Alzheimer’s research. She also testified for successfully passing a law in her home state of Massachusetts. Ashley is also passionate about additional topics. She is a national speaker on domestic and sexual violence prevention, resilience, and mental health.

In this episode, we talk about how Ashley balanced caregiving while still living her life as a young person in her twenties; we learn why Ashley is grateful for the time caring for her mom, the respect she gained from invisible labor that moms do, why dating herself and traveling solo recharges her, and how she is using her experiences to help others.

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Words of Encouragement

Each episode starts off with a few words of inspiration or motivation that is pulled from the Happy Healthy Caregiver Jar. Create your own jar by downloading the Caregiver  Jar inserts.  Enhance your jar with the Caregiver Jar refill pack.Caregiver Jar Inserts PDF

‘Spend more time with people who bring out the best in you, not the stress in you.’ #CaregiverJar

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Links & Resources Mentioned

Mean Baby -A Memoir of Growing Up by Selma Blair

 

 

The Language of Time

The Little Prince book

Just for you a daily self care journal book cover

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. When you click on a product and choose to purchase it, I receive a small thank you from the associated company which helps reimburse me for my blogging, podcast, & site expenses. There is no additional cost to you.

Favorite moments & quotes from the episode

‘It was just constant. Every minute was spoken for. And it was very overwhelming. I lost a lot of my own independence, my own passions, my interests. I felt guilty doing something as simple as taking a vacation or a trip sometimes.’ -…

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‘Even though I sacrificed a lot, it was a conscious choice that I made, that I was very happy with. But I think looking back – and this is advice I always give to caregivers – give yourself permission to live.’ – Ashley Bendiksen…

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‘You can only be so strong of a caregiver if you’re strong yourself. So imagine how much more loving and present and supportive you could show up if you were fueling your own needs.’ – Ashley Bendiksen #livingthroughtrauma…

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