- Eighteen percent of caregivers for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias die before the patient does, largely due to the stress of their caregiving role.
- There is an alarmingly high prevalence of burnout among healthcare professionals in the United States.
- Clinicians are highly skilled at helping others but rarely skilled at self-care strategies.
Why do caregivers need a coach? Because the work you do is difficult and puts you at risk for consequences you may not even know about:
• Eighteen percent of caregivers for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias die before the patient does, largely due to the stress of their caregiving role.
• There is an alarmingly high prevalence of burnout among healthcare professionals in the United States.
• Clinicians are highly skilled at helping others but rarely skilled at self-care strategies.
For 45 years, I’ve worked as a Registered Nurse in small and large healthcare facilities. In 2013 my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and, in addition to my role as a professional nurse, I became a family caregiver.
My training and education were great preparation for addressing his physical needs. Still, it did not prepare me for the personal and emotional pain that accompanies the increasing disability of a loved one. Watching the person I love in a steady process of loss is painful. This pain, accompanied by the feeling of powerlessness, is challenging to overcome alone.
During this misfortune, I realized that I never learned how to properly care for myself in spite of all of my training, degrees, and credentials.
I realized that to help others to the best of my ability, I had to first be a genuine friend to myself.
Now, my message to you is that when you can’t change your circumstances, you must change yourself.
That is what my work is all about, helping other caregivers – both professionals and family caregivers – acknowledge their pain and learn to practice the many small skills of self-care that can sustain them through the challenges of wholeheartedly caring for others.
For 45 years, I’ve worked as a Registered Nurse in small and large healthcare facilities. In 2013 my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and, in addition to my role as a professional nurse, I became a family caregiver.
My training and education were great preparation for addressing his physical needs. Still, it did not prepare me for the personal and emotional pain that accompanies the increasing disability of a loved one. Watching the person I love in a steady process of loss is painful. This pain, accompanied by the feeling of powerlessness, is challenging to overcome alone.
During this misfortune, I realized that I never learned how to properly care for myself in spite of all of my training, degrees, and credentials.
I realized that to help others to the best of my ability, I had to first be a genuine friend to myself.
Now, my message to you is that when you can’t change your circumstances, you must change yourself.
That is what my work is all about, helping other caregivers – both professionals and family caregivers – acknowledge their pain and learn to practice the many small skills of self-care that can sustain them through the challenges of wholeheartedly caring for others.
EDUCATION
- Integrative Therapies & Healing Practices Certificate, Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus (May 2020); NBC-HWC certification, 2020.
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Nursing Administration Research (NINR Funded), University of Iowa, College of Nursing, 1997-98
- Ph.D., Major: Adult Education/Organizational Development; Minors: Nursing and Research with a special focus on Qualitative Study Design, Indiana University, 1984
- M.S.N., Major: Maternal-Child Nursing; Special Focus: Behavioral Pediatrics, Indiana University, Purdue University at Indianapolis, 1979
- B.S.N., Dallas Baptist College, Dallas, Texas, 1975
LICENSES + CERTIFICATIONS
- RN License, State of Minnesota since 1984
- Certified Public Health Nurse since 1986
- Certified in Interactive Guided Imagery (Academy for Guided Imagery) since 1990
- Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) since 2020
EDUCATION
- Integrative Therapies & Healing Practices Certificate, Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus (May 2020); NBC-HWC certification, 2020.
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Nursing Administration Research (NINR Funded), University of Iowa, College of Nursing, 1997-98
- Ph.D., Major: Adult Education/Organizational Development; Minors: Nursing and Research with a special focus on Qualitative Study Design, Indiana University, 1984
- M.S.N., Major: Maternal-Child Nursing; Special Focus: Behavioral Pediatrics, Indiana University, Purdue University at Indianapolis, 1979
- B.S.N., Dallas Baptist College, Dallas, Texas, 1975
LICENSES + CERTIFICATIONS
- RN License, State of Minnesota since 1984
- Certified Public Health Nurse since 1986
- Certified in Interactive Guided Imagery (Academy for Guided Imagery) since 1990
- Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) since 2020
- L.P.
Medical School Student
- A.D.
Actuarial Analyst
- J.S.
Caregiver & Retired Physician
Through Co-Create 4 Life, you will learn a range of well-being strategies from skillfully implementing self-care to holistic approaches to well-being, rebuilding resilience, and battling burnout. Book a free consultation call today to discuss your options.
Through Co-Create 4 Life, you will learn a range of well-being strategies from skillfully implementing self-care to holistic approaches to well-being, rebuilding resilience, and battling burnout. Book a free consultation call today to discuss your options.
