Life on Repeat: A Dementia Caregiver Podcast Laura Vaillancourt

Laura and Kimberly explore the world of transformative mediation with family members who are caring for older adults. Kimberly has some fantastic tips on maintaining your calm in the midst of family chaos. You will love this discussion!
Here are some interesting points from our discussion:
-Factors that might contribute to caregiving conflict
-Helpful tips for handling conflict with family members
-How professional mediation can be helpful for families
Kimberly Best is a trained Family Mediator and owns Best Conflict Solutions focusing on collaborative problem-solving in healthcare, small business mediation, and conflict management, organizational conflict, elder mediation, family and relationship mediation, dialogue facilitation, and conflict coaching. She spent the first season of her career as a Registered Nurse in intensive care, trauma, and emergency medicine, where she cared for people in extreme need and gained valuable experience in the medical system.
You can find more about Kimberly Best and her work here:
Website: CBest Conflict Solutions: Meditation & Conflict Consulting
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kimberlybestmediator
Facebook: rBest Conflict Solutions
Instagram: eKimberly Best (@kimberly_a_best)
Twitter: akimberly_a_best
FOLLOW THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast
Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast
Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com
RATE & SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered.
We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may arise, and how to gain knowledge so you can be your own best advocate.
You can also find it by searching “Life on Repeat” on any podcast app (eg: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc) or simply saying "Alexa, listen to Life on Repeat Podcast” on your Apple device.
Or simply go to the link below for ease =).
lifeonrepeatpodcast.com/listen

Join us as we talk with Cindy Weinstein, author and English professor, about her experience with her father's Alzheimer's diagnosis, as a distant caregiver and her new book.
Cindy's goal in writing her book, Finding the Right Words, was to equip readers with knowledge by sharing terms, basic neurology, graphs and images weaved throughout her story of her family's journey with her father's diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease.
In this episode, we talk about:
Cindy's inside view into neurology and dementia as a student Depression and dementiaThe importance of supporting family caregiversThe importance of sharing your story with your doctor or neurologistHow she forgot that her father was dying as her life adjusted to being a distance caregiver
Cindy Weinstein is the Eli and Edythe Broad Professor of English at California Institute of Technology. She has written several books on U.S. Literature and most recently wrote Finding the Right Words, a Story of Literature, Grief and the Brain.
You can find out more about Cindy's book here: Finding the Right Words
Cindy's account on Mastodon: @CindyWeinstein@zirk.us
FOLLOW THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast
Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast
Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com
RATE & SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered.
We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may arise, and how to gain knowledge so you can be your own best advocate.
You can also find it by searching “Life on Repeat” on any podcast app (eg: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc) or simply saying "Alexa, listen to Life on Repeat Podcast” on your Apple device.
Or simply go to the link below for ease =).
lifeonrepeatpodcast.com/listen

You'll love this episode with Laura and Gretchen as we talk about Gretchen's experience caring for her mother.
Gretchen left her job and friends on the East Coast in 2012 and returned to her childhood home on the West Coast to companion her 96 year old mother from whom she had been 'comfortably distanced' for 36 years. Her degree in counseling didn't help with this gig! Gretchen is the author of Mother Lode: Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver.
We discuss what helped Gretchen remain sane:
Maintaining her old habits/tapping into her old selfHer weekly writing group: "writing saved me"YogaListing 5 things she is grateful for dailyKeeping a list of what happened, what she did about it and the outcome
Gretchen has a fabulous website with pages I had fun exploring such as recipes, reading lists, and an encouragement page: gretchenstaebler.com
She is also known for her amazing blog and welcomes your stories, too: https://gretchenstaebler.com/blog
FOLLOW THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast
Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast
Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com
RATE & SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered.
We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may arise, and how to gain knowledge so you can be your own best advocate.
You can also find it by searching “Life on Repeat” on any podcast app (eg: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc) or simply saying "Alexa, listen to Life on Repeat Podcast” on your Apple device.
Or simply go to the link below for ease =).
lifeonrepeatpodcast.com/listen

You will love this episode with the amazing Adria Thompson! I was so excited to interview her, as she has a wealth of knowledge and experience in getting creative with challenging situations that caregivers face. Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) do so much more than assist with swallowing and speaking.
I personally follow her Instagram account and learn so much!
In this episode, we explore:
The differences between Physical, Occupational, and Speech TherapistsAddressing behavior challenges with dementiaHow to access SLP services and how to get a referral
3 areas of expertise an SLP provides:
Communication: comprehension and body languageCognition: thinking skills, problem-solving, organizing thoughtsSwallowing: safety in oral, feeding, and swallowing skills
If you care for someone with dementia, you know these three areas can present challenges in providing quality care.
Adria is deeply passionate about the large and ever-growing population of people with dementia in this world. She has the experience, creativity, and heart to help solve the most challenging problems.
Adria is a Licensed Speech Language Pathologist, Dementia Consultant, Certified Dementia Practitioner®️, and Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional®️
You can find out more about Adria and her services on her website: belightcare.com
Follow Adria on social media for creative caregiving tips
Instagram: @belightcare
Facebook: @belightcareconsulting
TikTok: @belightcare
FOLLOW THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast
Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast
Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com
SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered.
We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may arise, and how to gain knowledge so you can be your own best advocate.
You can also find it by searching “Life on Repeat” on any podcast app (eg: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc) or simply saying "Alexa, listen to Life on Repeat Podcast” on your Apple device.
Or simply go to the link below for ease =).
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What do humans beings spend more time doing than anything else?
Sleep!
Dr. Kim was so kind to share about all things sleep with us in this episode. Caregivers often struggle with sleep whether it is due to increased stress, worry or needing to be awake and alert to care for loved ones.
Did you know that what you do in the morning has a direct impact on the quality of your sleep that night? Or that being up for 19 hours will impair you at the equivalency of being intoxicated?
We learn about:
The ramifications of not getting good sleepWhy total sleep is not the same as quality of sleepWhat good sleep hygiene looks likeNew science about sleepWhy we are poor historians of our sleepSleep aids and sleep supplementsCreative ways of addressing insomnia
Dr. Kimberley Dwyer is a clinical psychologist, author and business coach. She has over two decades of experience working with adults, teens and children, and excels at the treatment of anxiety, stress and managing transitional times. Her most recent book release fore adults, Mindful Mondays: Transforming the Everyday to Claim Calm and Reduce Stress, supports people with everyday strategies for mindfulness during daily living.
Learn more about Dr. Kim Dwyer at www.drkimdwyer.com.
Dr. Kim wrote a great article about sleep here: A Good Night's Sleep
Dr. Kim also recommends checking out:
Why we Sleep, a book by Matthew WalkerNational Sleep Foundation.org and their Sleep DiaryCBT-I, Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia
FOLLOW LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast
Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast
Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com
SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered.
We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may arise, and how to gain knowledge so you can be your own best advocate.
You can also find it by searching “Life on Repeat” on any podcast app (eg: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc) or simply saying "Alexa, listen to Life on Repeat Podcast” on your Apple device.
Or simply go to the link below for ease =).
a...

This is a special episode with two participants, father and son, of the Amazon Original World's Toughest Race: Eco Challenge Fiji. Mark and Travis Macy have life-long experience training and participating in Eco-Challenges all over the world and are intimately familiar with uncertainty and resiliency.
You will appreciate hearing their perspective on Mark's Alzheimer's diagnosis and how their family is moving through this together. Mark talks openly about the importance of not hiding his diagnosis and the value in talking and sharing about it.
The cross-over of skills needed to master surviving challenging environments while pushing ones body/mind/spirit to its limits and navigating life with Alzheimer's are not to be lost on their journey. Some advice:
Make it a team thingStay engagedGo as fast as we can and as slow as we must
Travis and Mark are co-authors of the upcoming book: A Mile at a Time, which is about the experience of the Eco-Challenge race and of the bond Mark and Travis share. The book releases on March 14, 2023 and is available for pre-order now wherever books are sold:
Indiebound
Amazon
B&N.com 
You can learn more and follow Travis here:
Facebook: @travis.macy.7
Twitter: @TravisMacy
Insta: @travismacy
www.travismacy.com
www.amileatatimebook.com
www.thetravismacyshow.com
 
Follow Mark here:
Instagram:  @mmacy146
Facebook: @mark.macy.5283
And check out Imagine Publishing:
Twitter: @Imagine_CB
Insta: @Imagine_cb
Facebook: @ImaginePublishing
 
FOLLOW LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast
Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast
Podcast Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Podcast Email: hello@lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Professional Service Website: eldercarecounselor.com
SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE ON REPEAT PODCAST:I host a weekly podcast where I interview dementia specialists and other professionals to help caregivers feel educated, supported, and empowered.
We talk about a variety of topics including how to live your best life as a caregiver, how to work with challenges that may