In this caregiver spotlight episode, meet Karen Purze from Chicago. She became a family caregiver when her parents had health issues suddenly and simultaneously. In this conversation we discuss being prepared for end-of-life decisions, letting others help, establishing boundaries, and how our technology careers became a caregiving advantage and disadvantage.
Listen to the show: Caregiver Spotlight – Karen Purze
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
- Karen’s mom suffered a massive stroke while her dad was recovering from colon cancer surgery.
- Karen is the creator of the Life in Motion workbook which helps organize your personal records for easy reference in case of emergency. She helps other caregivers get organized. Learn more at LifeInMotionGuide.com. Use promo code ‘CAREGIVER15’ to receive 15% off.
- Gretchen Rubin’s latest book helps readers get their lives in order and feel happier:
- Elizabeth met Karen at the National Caregiving Conference in Chicago
- Karen used to watch The Rockford Files with her parents and just felt like a daughter again.
- Karen’s Blog post: Hospital Checklist: What I Always Bring
- We talk about asking for help and delegating responsibilities to your siblings.
- Karen’s dad’s senior care community and mom’s friends became a part of her extended care team.
- Elizabeth’s had to have “courageous conversations” about sensitive topics with her parents
- Five Wishes pamphlet helped Elizabeth’s family plan for end of life for her mom
- Karen recommends The Conversation Project as an approachable way to discuss end-of-life wishes with loved ones and this free service has approaches specifically for those with Alzheimer’s or where English is not their primary language.
- Setting healthy boundaries is necessary for family caregivers.
- Karen mentioned that meditation is something that can be done while waiting or feeling anxious. Smiling Mind is the free app she uses.
- The lightning round questions came from Elizabeth’s Just for You: a Daily Self-Care Journal
- Avoid re-reading books and find out what your friends are loving on Goodreads.
- Help others connect with caregiving resources by letting your friends and family know that is what organizations call them
- Medicare.gov now has a mobile app called ‘What’s Covered’
- Learn more about Karen and the resources she offers at Life In Motion Guide and use promo code CAREGIVER15 during checkout to save 15% off any Life In Motion Guide workbook.
Favorite Karen Purze quotes
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