Island Treasures Podcast is taking a short break from publishing new episodes to reflect and seek future direction!

Over the past six seasons, we've explored the many facets of caregiving, sharing insightful conversations and meaningful stories. While our existing content will remain available for you to revisit anytime, we feel it may be time to venture into new territory.

We look back over the life of the podcast thus far as its focus has been on caregiving, with exceptional guests - many caregivers themselves - sharing their caregiving stories, wisdom and experiences as they help encourage the listeners in their caregiving journeys.

A huge thank you to all the guests who have helped shape the caregiving chapter of the Island Treasures Podcast, namely: Roy Johnson, Dennis Dulniak, Theresa Wilbanks, Brenda Blais-Nesbitt, Cori Sandler and Alice de Wolff, Anne Sands, Betsy Haddad, Pat Thibodeau, Toni Gitles, Sue Johnston, Lisa Kendall, Chris MacLellan, Erin Galyean, Chandra White-Cummings, Arlene Jacobs, Judy Cornish, Zander Keig, Beth Hearn Douglas, Jennifer Richey, Kathy Shoaf, Mike George, Brenda Leppington, Loretta Veney, Dave Iverson, Licia Thompson, Jodi Kay Benusa, Breeda Miller, Debbie Compton, Ben Graham, Dr. Delon Canterbury, Roxane Anderson, Tracy Crump, Lori Lemasters, Natalie Hankins, Denise Brown, Kathy Neuhausser, Sandra Strauss, Heidi Rome, Katrina Prescott, Valerie Weins, Grace Block, Bill Cohen, Teepa Snow, Dr. George Ackerman, Lori Rogers, Jenna Rumberger, Victoria Essner, Alexis Baker, Amy Friesen, Susanne White, Sarah Merriman, Rebekah Dowhy, Angela Fairhurst, Gina Awad and Rayna Neises

Stay tuned for more details on what may lie ahead. Thank you for being part of our journey—we can’t wait to share what’s next!

Applause track Sound Effect by Freesound Community from Pixabay

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A central theme of the full podcast episode with Rayna Neises, called "Rayna's Caregiving Wisdom: No Regrets and Cherished Memories" was how to have no regrets when caregiving.

After 26 years of caregiving during which Rayna completed her training to become a certified coach, Rayna shares what enabled her to be able to look back on her caregiving experience and say she has no regrets.

We review how to define regrets, what it means to embrace a growth mindset, and we hear what questions we can ask ourselves to enhance our own wellbeing through a caregiving season.

Rayna talks about her book called "No Regrets: Hope for your Caregiving Season" and how the first 10 chapters address caregiving and the remaining 6 chapters are devoted to self-care and not losing oneself in the role of caregiver.

We hear how she creatively incorporated physical activity into the home environment for her dad who benefited from being able to participate in sports and how playing ping pong together led to creating memories.

A huge part of having no regrets when caregiving is making cherished memories with your loved ones, all while maintaining personal joy and creativity.

For more from Rayna visit her website A Season of Caring.com; and for more details on the excerpts contained in this mini podcast episode, please check out the full episode "Rayna's Caregiving Wisdom: No Regrets and Cherished Memories".

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In this episode we are joined by Rayna Neises for an enlightening conversation about her extensive caregiving journey.

Rayna is a dedicated Caregiving Coach, author, and advocate for family caregivers. With a heart deeply rooted in faith, Rayna has transformed her caregiving experiences into a mission to support others navigating the challenging path of caregiving.

She was introduced to caregiving as a teenager, caring first for her mom who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and later for her dad, who, after a cancer diagnosis and a MRSA infection, also had Alzheimer's disease.

Rayna delves into the emotional and practical challenges she faced and details how she and her sister managed to honor their father's wish to live at home.

Rayna discusses the importance of self-care for caregivers, her approach to documenting and learning from caregiving experiences, and the inspirations behind writing her book, 'No Regrets: Hope for Your Caregiving Season.' Additionally, we touch on Rayna's coaching work and her podcast, 'A Season of Caring,' which is an insightful resource that offers practical advice and spiritual encouragement to those caring for aging loved ones.

The episode concludes with advice for caregivers to cherish and capture moments - emphasizing the importance of maintaining personal joy and creativity.

Rayna is married to a farmer and lives on a farm in Kansas. Her life is a beautiful blend of faith, family, and farming. She is a stepmother to four and a grandmother to 8. Her close relationship with her sister, with whom she shared her caregiving journey, adds a profound depth to her understanding of family dynamics in times of need.

You can learn more about Rayna and her resources at www.ASeasonofCaring.com or on her podcast A Season of Caring.

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This mini episode highlights key points from “Creating Connections with a Dementia Companion” featuring Gina Awad. Gina, who studied Dementia as part of her Health and Social Care degree, is a valuable resource for those living with dementia and their caregivers. She noticed common themes like fear and system navigation during her early information sessions.

Recognizing the need for clear guidance after a dementia diagnosis, Gina emphasized the importance of discussing dementia and providing accessible information to reduce stigma, and she founded the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance. In addition to her information sessions, she created a forum for discussions through her radio show, “Living Better with Dementia” on Sonic FM. A show where her guests share resources, their passion, projects, information and stories.

To further provide information on dementia in a non-intimidating way, Gina authored "United: Caring for our Loved Ones Living with Dementia," a book illustrated by the late Tony Husband that offers an easy-to-read perspective on the realities of dementia.

Gina's insights in this mini episode can be invaluable whether you're involved in caregiving or recently diagnosed with dementia.

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Gina Awad's heartfelt journey into dementia caregiving began with her childhood visits to care homes, sparking a lifelong mission to support families navigating this challenging landscape. She studied Dementia as part of her Health and Social Care degree in 2011 to further explore the challenges and realities of dementia. As a dedicated advocate, she shares her path from those early impressions to becoming a dementia champion, highlighting the emotional and social challenges both caregivers and patients face. This episode shines a light on her impactful community sessions, her dementia training sessions, and her ongoing efforts to foster acceptance, open communication, and understanding within communities.

The conversation takes a personal turn as Gina recounts assisting a close friend in accepting her dementia diagnosis, underscoring the need for awareness and funding. She passionately addresses the often-overlooked social changes, such as the shifting dynamics in friendships, and the importance of educating workplaces about accessibility and support. By drawing parallels with past taboos like cancer, Gina is determined to break the stigma surrounding dementia, ensuring that no one feels isolated or misunderstood.

Listeners will also enjoy exploring Gina's creative endeavors, from hosting a radio show on Phonic FM to illustrated stories of caregivers in collaboration with the late Tony Husband in their book "United: Caring for our Loved Ones Living with Dementia". Her commitment to creating meaningful resources is evident in her upcoming book, "When Time Aligns: the Stories of Care from a Dementia Companion," which promises to weave personal experiences with broader insights into dementia care. Through these narratives, Gina not only shares her experiences but invites us all to understand and support the world of dementia caregiving with empathy and compassion.

In recognition of Gina's significant contributions to supporting people affected by dementia, Gina was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2018. In addition she is a Carer Representative for The Royal College of Psychiatrists for their Memory Services National Accreditation Programme.

Connect with Gina through LinkedIn of through the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance

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This mini episode visits a few of the key takeaways Betsy Haddad shared with the listeners in the full episode "Thinking Ahead about Alzheimer's and Care Needs with Betsy Haddad". Since her caregiving experience she has become an activist and wanted to share about:

• Why she became an activist?
• Hybrid Long Term Care Insurance
• Clinical Trials
• Blood Test to Detect Protein related to dementia.

As an activist, Betsy not only talks about dementia, but she is also proud to be part of the science.

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Betsy Haddad has returned to the podcast to share some exciting news on the fight against Alzheimer's Disease. Since the passing of her beloved dad, Edward, Betsy has had time to reflect on his suffering and that has channeled her grief into activism in the fight against the disease. Betsy is a member of Generation X and she grew up in the era of 80's music. She has two wonderful adult sons who are the light of her life. In her spare time, Betsy loves to sing - performing occasionally at local restaurants with her friend on keyboard. She also sings with the Orlando Episcopal Cathedral church choir.

In this episode you will hear about a blood test (still in its trial stages) that measures protein levels, believed to be a tool to detect Alzheimer's early on. Betsy, herself, has had the blood test so you'll want to hear her take on what this means for her.

Betsy shares about GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience), by CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) designed to support people living with dementia and their unpaid caregivers and how this test model provides a care navigator who is in charge of the person with the diagnosis' care, supports the caregiver and provides opportunities for respite care for the caregiver. Betsy also mentioned RIPPL through Alzheimer's Association.

We also hear from Betsy, who works as a consultant in the health insurance industry, about an important distinction between long-term care insurance and hybrid long-term care insurance.

Betsy doesn't just talk about her wish to improve the future for others; she puts her words into action by participating in research to advance the science and she's connecting folks to resources that she has discovered through and since her caregiving journey.

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Angela Fairhurst demonstrates the 3 Geri-Gadgets ® buckets that, as an entrepeneur she designed and created to enhance the lives of folks living with dementia. There's the Fidget-Gadget ® bucket, the Shapes bucket and the Flower bucket. Each bucket has its own unique contents to bring activity, joy and engagement to your loved one.

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