In this caregiver spotlight episode, meet Colleen Kavanaugh who cared for both her parents for a decade while raising children of her own. Learn how Colleen integrated self-care while caregiving and why she’s passionate about sharing people’s stories of transformation after loss.
Listen to the show: Caregiver Spotlight – Colleen Kavanaugh
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
- My first conversation with Colleen on the blog: How to use your masters in caregiving to create a new career
- Use Calendly to help you coordinate and spread out visits to your care recipient creating more me time for yourself
- Happy Healthy Caregiver Podcast Episode 17 on Relationships & Love Languages
- Subscribe and listen to Colleen’s weekly podcast called The After Life where she features stories of transformation after loss (link for iTunes)
- Matcha Tea, Protein Powder, Hemp Seeds, and Almond Milk are healthy swaps or additions Colleen has incorporated recently
- Aerolatte milk frother
- Daughterhood Circles – support for family caregivers
- Resources Colleen recommends if you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia: Teepa Snow and Dementia Raw
- Blog post: Teepa Snow Entertains While Teaching About Dementia
- Blog post: How Improv Can Improve Communication with Our Dementia & Alzheimer’s Loved Ones
- Colleen referenced a previous Caregiver Spotlight episode with my sister Susie. Click here to listen.
- Favorite quick meal: inexpensive ramen noodles (toss the seasoning packet!), add diced vegetables, and chicken broth.
- Colleen’s Happiness 911 Song to help turn a bad mood around: Daffodils by Mark Ronson and anything by David Bowie
- Colleen’s favorite quote or mantra (double meaning! savor the good and know the bad won’t last)
- The Day One journal app is what Colleen lists or posts a photo of her list of 5 daily gratitudes
- Colleen’s My Grit, Grace & Gratitude self-discovery program with her partner Deb Kelsey-Davis. Use code ‘ELIZABETH’ to save 50% off.
- Find out even more about Colleen and how to connect with her socially on TheLongestDance.com
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Favorite quotes from the episode
Colleen’s definition of a Happy Healthy Caregiver: “Someone who is rooted in their why they chose to take this role on…open to realizing the transformations that are going to happen and bring them to an unimaginable space.”
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.
