Happy Healthy Caregiver

Tamara Buzyna Adams knows the sandwich generation experience. She spent years caregiving for her father through dementia while continuing to support her aging mother — all while raising two children and navigating a midlife career pivot.

In this episode, Tamara shares how exploring family history with a loved one living with dementia can be a powerful tool for connection — sparking moments of clarity, preserving identity, and bringing peace to both the person with dementia and the caregivers.

We also get into the deeply relatable emotions around role reversal with aging parents and what it really feels like when the child becomes the caregiver. Tamara shares her experience transitioning a parent to community living, how her family used regular Zoom calls to keep remote family members connected and involved, and the hard-won wisdom she's gained around saying no and setting boundaries as a caregiver.

She shares how her passion for genealogy turned into a profession, and the unexpected self-discovery journey that unfolded through translating her grandma’s handwritten journals and her additional research, which led her to write her book, Last Ship to Freedom. And for anyone curious about digging into their own family history, Tamara shares practical advice on how to get started — no experience needed.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod234

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Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

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The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Heather Butchen is a care partner for her husband Jeff, who was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease at 51 years old. Over the past decade-plus, Heather has navigated the evolving challenges that come with a progressive disease — and a few years ago, she and Jeff reached a major milestone when he underwent Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, known as DBS.

In this episode, Heather shares practical wisdom from her caregiving journey. We talk about how she keeps a dedicated medical journal to stay organized across doctor's appointments and support group meetings, and how those notes proved invaluable when they were ready to explore DBS surgery.

Heather also shares how she and Jeff co-founded a Parkinson's support group back in 2014 that is still going strong today. She shares her "do it now" philosophy when it comes to travel, including smart tips for navigating airports with a hidden disability using the Sunflower Lanyard program. She talks candidly about the creativity it takes to keep a care partner engaged in physical activity — and why boxing has been an ideal activity for Jeff.

We also get into the tender aspects of their partnership — how they've simplified family gatherings to reduce stress, how they use conversation cards at dinner to reconnect and go deeper after 31 years of marriage, and what it has looked like to rediscover each other as their kids have grown and moved out.

And we absolutely talk about Heather's own self-care routines, which include walking catch-ups with friends, Pilates, Mahjong, and her favorite snacks.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod233

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

She started caregiving at 13, lost her mother at 26, went on to serve in the White House, and built a life that refuses to be defined by loss alone.

In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, I'm joined by Marisa Renee Lee — two-time author, grief advocate, social-impact founder, and a relentless woman.

We cover everything from sneaking breaks into your workday and the lifelong lessons of childhood caregiving, to living with Long COVID, why failing is completely normal, and her genius idea of assigning friends to bring the fun. Plus, her personal mantra, a new puppy, and a Paris trip on the horizon.

This one is for anyone who is looking for peace when life feels uncertain.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod232

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Solo caregiving is tough, and we want to help by sharing four key resource areas for solo caregivers. This episode is extra special Happy Healthy Caregiver episode because I got to collaborate with two women I genuinely admire — Nancy Treaster and Sue Ryan of The Caregiver's Journey. You may recognize their names because both have been guests here on the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, and I've loved staying connected with them ever since. We even got on a cruise together on the Self-Care at Sea cruise last year.

Nancy and Sue have been friends for over 35 years, and they came together out of their own frustration with the lack of practical, candid guidance for dementia caregivers. Between them, they've navigated caregiving for multiple family members — all while managing demanding careers — and they've turned those hard-won lessons into a nonprofit called The Caregiver’s Journey dedicated to helping other caregivers feel less overwhelmed and more equipped. One of the tools they offer that keeps getting better and better is their Caregiving Roadmap, which was created with dementia caregivers in mind. 

In this episode, we are joining forces to share four resource areas to better support the Solo Caregiver. Whether you are caring for someone with dementia or not, this episode has much to offer.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod231

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Sandwich generation caregiving, burnout, and family coordination—Glenn Shimkus is living it all while caring for five parents, supporting adult children, and running a mission-driven business.

In this episode, Glenn shares practical insights on dividing caregiving responsibilities into “swim lanes,” recognizing his early signs of burnout, and preparing families before a crisis through his company, Prisidio. He also opens up about the routines that keep him grounded, the joy of becoming a first-time grandparent, and the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone—even if that means swimming with whales in open water!

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod230

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW