In this caregiver spotlight episode, meet spiritual family caregiver Deb Kelsey Davis. Learn how Deb discovered how caregiving required way more than her extensive professional health and medical training. She felt unprepared for the emotional journey of caregiving and her experiences sparked a spiritual quest and business to help others focus on what truly matters. In this episode, Deb shares about leaving her corporate job, seeking help with depression, how she is now powered by gratitude, her love of journaling and her daily self-care practices.
Listen to the show: Caregiver Spotlight – Deb Kelsey Davis
Words of Encouragement
Each episode starts off with a few words of inspiration or motivation that is pulled from the Happy Healthy Caregiver Jar.
This nicely fits with Deb’s personal slogan of ‘An Attitude of Gratitude” and I love that Deb actually has and uses her Happy Healthy Caregiver Jar.
“I think it’s a wonderful resource and helps you stop for a moment and really think because you don’t know what is going to come out of that jar” #CaregiverJar #selfcare
Links & Resources Mentioned
- We kicked off the show with Elizabeth giving an update on her mom’s health since she took a break over the holidays and one reason was to focus more on helping to care for her mom.
- Deb recalls the story where her mother-in-law, Eva, told her family she had cancer and how her first caregiving experience caused her to become clinically depressed.
- Deb shares how she schedules her self-care and sets aside time for spiritual activities – particularly prayer and meditation.
- Deb says the Serenity Prayer before she goes to bed each night to remind her to let go of control.
- Deb talks about the spiritual gifts she received from her depression.
- This resource may help you find a spiritual director or therapist near you.
- We talk about how it’s essential for family caregivers to learn to ask for help.
- Deb established a spiritual support group for family caregivers in Chicago. She now helps other church communities set up similar programs in other communities. Here is the list of current Nourish Meeting locations.
- Elizabeth talks about a church near her in Marietta, GA, Due West United Methodist, that offers a support ministry for caregivers.
- Deb frequently visits the K Love website and K Love Radio app for a dose of encouragement.
- YouTube is another resource Deb turns to for spiritual fulfillment. Check out the Nourish YouTube channel videos here.
- Elizabeth shared how her little sister Annie introduced her to YouVersion’s Bible App and how it has topical reading plans that are allowing her to be more intentional with her spiritual focus.
- Deb co-authored a fun colorful workbook called My Grit Grace and Gratitude.
- Deb partnered with a prior Caregiver Spotlight guest, Colleen Kavanaugh on this project. My Grit Grace + Gratitude will show you actually have all the tools for resiliency within you. Elizabeth is currently enjoying this workbook on weekend mornings while sipping on her coffee.(Fun note: Elizabeth, Deb, and Colleen actually all met each other and formed friendships through the first National Caregiving Conference).
- Deb also contributed a chapter in the book Shine Your Light all about those you counted on (i.e. your parents) now counting on you.
- Click here to request your copy of the self-care journal, which both Deb and Elizabeth are using daily to be intentional about their self-care. Deb’s daily journal question sparked her to remember how much she enjoys fingerpainting with oils! Elizabeth has a 19 for 2019 goal to either take an art class or paint with her sister Susie who is a professional oil painter.
- Scented candle store that Deb recommends: New Moon Beginnings (Rosemary and Fig are two of her favorites).
- Here’s the compassion podcast episode we spoke about Virginia Sampson and Elizabeth spoke talked about giving ourselves a hug.
- Here’s the best spot to connect with Deb: https://nourishforcaregivers.com/ and on the site you’ll find prayers for the family caregiver and can request help for Deb and team to help you set up a Nourish for Caregiver group at your church.
Some of the links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. When you click on a product and choose to purchase it, I receive a small thank you from Amazon which helps reimburse me for my blogging, podcast, & site expenses. There is no additional cost to you.
Favorite moments & quotes from the episode
Stay in touch
- Instagram: HappyHealthyCaregiver
- 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.
