In this episode of Hope for the Caregiver, Peter Rosenberger shares an intimate look at life in the hospital with Gracie as she prepares for another major surgery. He discusses the challenges of acute caregiving, the comfort found in deep friendships, and the humor that sustains them through tough times. With reflections on faith, perseverance, and the importance of staying healthy as a caregiver, Peter also shares insights from Gracie’s latest blog post on chronic pain and her upcoming book. Plus, he explores the significance of prioritizing care and how caregivers can navigate difficult choices.

Caregiving is tough—but a little humor goes a long way! In this episode, I dive into the Caregiver FOG (Fear, Obligation, and Guilt), share a few hospital misadventures, and remind you why laughter is one of the best survival tools for caregivers. Plus, a chat with Gracie from her hospital room—where she somehow still finds ways to make fun of me after her 87th surgery. (I’m fine. Thanks for asking.)

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or just need a good laugh to break the tension, this episode is for you!

From the opening monologue with "The Caregiver Keyboard," where I discuss identity loss and family caregivers, we cover a lot of ground in this episode. In the B Block, I share lessons learned from Montana Winters. In the C BLOCK, I share a story I've always loved about people who "Sang on the Lawn." In the D Block, I share what's about to happen to Gracie this week.

www.peterrosenberger.com

Sue brings this message through all her offerings as a speaker, leadership coach, caregiving influencer, educator, and author. These include her online course, The Caregiver’s Journey, and her book Our Journey of Love 5 Steps to Navigate Your Caregiving Journey, which walks family caregivers through their entire caregiving journey. Her program, Leadership C.A.R.E.S., helps businesses address the growing crisis in family caregiving. Intentionally Navigating Transitions is a six-week process for individuals to successfully navigate change in their lives.

For more information, please visit https://thecaregiversjourney.com/ or email sue@sueryan.solutions

And, to view the TEDx talk, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/SueRyanTEDxTalk1 xxx

TO:

Sue Ryan, ACC, CCA™

Co-Founder, The Caregiver’s Journey™

Sue Ryan and her husband were already several years into his journey with Alzheimer’s disease when the pandemic hit in 2020. Given her experience taking care of loved ones including her father and grandmother who had dementia, she naively thought she was well-equipped for this new challenge. Then Covid-created lockdowns occurred and her carefully managed system of support collapsed, just as her husband’s Covid diagnosis arrived. Already working as a coach and advocate since 2014, Sue dug deep into her wells of support and pulled through, learning and sharing as she went. It was her sharing that caught the attention of her peer in the technology world, Nancy Treaster. Together they committed to dedicating themselves and their significant acumen to the task of creating a candid and practical lifeline for caregivers. Thus, The Caregiver’s Journey was born.

In their engaging podcasts, Nancy and Sue offer solutions for caregivers facing challenging issues such as taking away car keys, safety and incontinence. By addressing these uncomfortable topics directly, they also foster a sense of community that is often difficult for caregivers to find.

Today, Sue is a change strategist, speaker, author, podcaster and executive coach who empowers caregivers and leaders to maximize their potential. With more than 40 years of experience as a business professional while also navigating a variety of caregiving roles, she guides families to become confident, balanced, and supported on their caregiving journey. She also guides businesses to navigate the global crisis of family caregiving in business so both the organization and their valued working caregivers thrive.

Sue has authored/co-authored five bestsellers, created an award-winning online course for caregivers, is a certified hospice volunteer and caregiver advocate. Sue is a professional speaker including, TEDx, DisruptHR, and Vistage International. Sue lives in Naples, Fla., where she and her husband made their home until his passing in 2023.

For more information and to view the podcasts, please visit https://thecaregiversjourney.com/ or email sue@thecaregiversjourney.com.

Well, we're into a new year, 2025. What do you think so far? Are we off to a rousing start? Are any of you dreading a new year?

We've got some painful things coming our way this year and this month. And I'm not necessarily looking forward to it. Gracie certainly isn't.

But at the same time, each day is an opportunity. And each year is an opportunity.

In his letter to the church at Rome, the Apostle Paul urged: "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

Can we do this as caregivers - when it seems there is conflict around every corner?

Absolutely. In this episode, I talk about what that looks like. Plus, we have the "Caregiver Keyboard" fired up!

www.peterrosenberger.com

From Hope for the Caregiver's Broadcast 12/21

A Block: "Then Pealed The Bells More Loud and Deep"

B Block: A Higher View of God

C Block: Caregivers and a loved one with mental illness

D. Block: Gracie- Silent Night

From Hope for the Caregiver's broadcast 12/14/2024

A Block: Psalm 13

B Block: Angels We Have Heard On High (Caregiver Keyboard)

C Block: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Let Nothing You Dismay)

D Block: Caregiver Authority