In this caregiver spotlight episode, meet Jodi Hempel who became a family caregiver at the age of 19 when her mom suffered a stroke. Her experiences as a corporate trainer and family caregiver lit a path for her to help support and educate other family caregivers through her book, blog, and training programs. In this episode we talk about dating while caregiving, partnering with your aging parent, Daughterhood Circles, the Keto diet, and how to ask for help.
Listen to the show: Caregiver Spotlight – Jodi Hempel
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
- Jodi’s mom suffered two different strokes. Here are the common warning signs of a stroke.
- Jodi shared how she came close to a nervous breakdown when she first became a family caregiver. Click here to learn more about nervous breakdowns.
- Jodi talks about being her mom’s financial conservator. This article explains the differences between Power of Attorney and becoming a Conservator.
- Jodi is the lead author of the book ‘LIfe the Next Phase’ along with her friend and her step mother who was an elderlaw attorney in California. This great resource includes four sections that caregivers can go to based on what stage of caregiving they are in. These include: Becoming a full-time caregiver, part-time caregiver, facing a health crisis, and all ok just want to be prepared.
- Jodi introduced me to Daughterhood. Jodi is the Daughtherhood Circle leader in Tucson, Arizona and she facilitates a monthly meet up for daughters with aging parents. If there isn’t a circle near you, considering starting one in your community.
- Jodi learned how to accept and ask for help from her friends and to hire outside help to free up her time for other activities.
- Jodi mentioned that Safeway delivers her groceries. I know that Publix and Kroger do as well.
- Jodi recently had hip replacement surgery and she wrote about her first-hand experience of being the care recipient instead of the caregiver in a post called ‘Walking the Talk: 1st-hand experience needing assistance’
- Jodi is currently re-reading the Harry Bosch books in the series order by Michael Connelly (so they must be good!). First in the series is:
- Amazon has an original TV series called Bosch that is free with prime membership.
- Jodi has been following the high healthy fat, low-carb Ketogenic diet.
- Jodi has made focusing on gratitude as a daily habit by writing in a gratitude journal with a cup of tea each morning.
- Her bucket list is all travel related. She wants to visit Alaska and explore Sante Fe New Mexico. She’d love to walk a portion of El Camino trail in Spain and sail on European River Cruise.
- Visit Jodi’s website for more information about her books, training, consulting services and social media links. She also has great information in her blog.
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Favorite moments & quotes from the episode
Something comes up and we deal with right in front of us and just keep taking the steps as we work through it. #JodiHempel
I had guys tell me that while they really liked me they weren’t going to get into a relationship because they knew that would mean taking on my mom. – Jodi Hempel
I kinda switched roles with her (mom) even to the point where I sat in her chair at the kitchen table. #JodiHempel
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