In this caregiver spotlight episode, meet Denise Brown who is a family caregiver for her parents and she has been providing help and resources to other caregivers for over twenty years. In this episode we talk about letting go of expectations, entrepreneurship, collaborating as caregivers, the National Caregiving Conference, and the benefits of becoming a Certified Caregiving Consultant.

Listen to the show: Caregiver Spotlight – Denise Brown

Due to the size and recording method of this show, it is shared in 2 parts.

Part 1

Part 2

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

• Denise’s dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2004. Caregiving intensified in 2014 when cancer spread to other organs and her dad suffered a stroke. Around this time, Denise’s mom had an internal bleed that caused her stomach to be removed. Denise’s parents live near Denise in Chicago in an apartment.
• Caregiving.com offers practical and comforting blog posts, supportive chat rooms, podcasts, video chats, contests, certification programs, and hosts an annual National Caregiving Conference. When you join the mailing list, Denise shares instructions on how you can blog for free on the site. (Please note, since this podcast aired, Denise sold Caregiving.com and is now doing business under Care Years Academy)
• Denise has had several conversations with her parents about downsizing and living in a retirement community so they could focus on their health. She has learned how to accept their decision to age in place.
• Elizabeth referenced the post she wrote on how caregiving and juggling other responsibilities can feel like feeding a nest of hungry birds.
• Elizabeth’s new mindset mantra is to replace ‘I have to’ with ‘I get to’ (e.g. I get to exercise today, I get to go to work this week).
• Elizabeth completed Denise’s Certified Caregiving Consultant program. The Care Years Academy now offers the following options for certifications:
  • Certified Caregiving Consultant
  • Certified Caregiving Specialist
  • Certified Caregiving Facilitator
  • Certified Caregiving Educator
  • Certified Caregiving Advocate
• If you are interested in taking one of the certification programs, you will save 20% by using any of the links provided in this show notes page.
• Here’s a short video about why Elizabeth joined the Certified Caregiving Consultant program. Reach out to Elizabeth to set up time to chat about the program or with questions.
• The National Caregiving Conference is hosted by Denise and Caregiving.com. This year’s theme is ‘Our Amazing Difference’.
• Caregiving.com’s Stress Survey has been 4.15 out of 5.0 for the past few years.
• Both Elizabeth and Denise have been exploring the benefits of intermittent fasting. Here’s the book Elizabeth used to help her get started:

• The First Photo Project on Caregiving.com is where caregivers post a photo to help document their caregiving experience.
• Elizabeth encourages you to capture a single day in your caregiving life. Here’s Elizabeth’s Day In the Life example.
• The lightning round questions came from Elizabeth’s Just for You: a Daily Self-Care Journal
• You can reach Denise by visiting CareYearsAcademy.com.

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

Favorite moments & quotes from the episode

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