Description:

If you’ve ever screamed into a pillow after calling the VA, you’re not alone—and this episode is for you. Host Shaunté Newby, caregiver advocate and daughter of a veteran, breaks down the lesser-known VA benefits that can make a real difference for caregivers and their loved ones.

From hidden programs like Veteran Directed Care and HISA grants to eligibility quirks and advocacy tips, this episode helps you navigate the VA system with more clarity and less stress. Whether you’re caring for a veteran full-time or just starting the benefits process, you’ll walk away with practical insights, emotional validation, and a few laughs along the way.

What you’ll learn:

• What Aid & Attendance, CHAMPVA, and the VA Caregiver Stipend actually cover
• How to access underused benefits like respite care and travel reimbursement
• Why “primary caregiver” status matters—and how to claim it
• How to speak VA language and advocate effectively
• Where to find support (yes, there’s a hotline!)

Keywords: VA caregiver benefits, veteran support, Aid and Attendance, CHAMPVA, VA stipend, Veteran Directed Care, HISA grant, VA advocacy, caregiving podcast, navigating VA system, caregiver resources, veteran family support

Call to Action:

Know someone struggling with VA paperwork or feeling lost in the system? Share this episode. Got a VA win or horror story? Send it in—we’re building a community that gets it.

In this heartfelt episode of "The Caregiver's Lounge," Shaunté shares her reflections from a recent cruise, where caregiving moments appeared in unexpected places. From conversations with fellow travelers to personal observations, she explores the universal threads of love, responsibility, and the quiet strength it takes to care for others. Through her reflections, she emphasizes the importance of self-care for caregivers and the shared experiences that connect them, even in unexpected places.

Tune in to hear stories of connection and resilience, and be reminded that even on vacation, caregiving never truly takes a break.

• Caregiving
• Cruise reflections
• Personal stories
• Caregiver support
• Travel experiences
• Resilience in caregiving
• Connection and responsibility

Chapters

00:00 Reflections from the Sea: A Caregiver's Perspective

12:39 The Unseen Stories of Caregiving

13:05 Connecting Through Shared Experiences

What does it mean to care for someone you love when you’re not physically there? In this heartfelt episode, host Shaunté Newby shares her personal journey of caregiving from afar—driving between Northern Virginia and Hampton to support her father while juggling work, life, and emotional exhaustion.

Through honest storytelling and practical insight, Shaunté explores the guilt, grace, and grit it takes to show up for your loved one across the miles. Whether you're navigating long-distance caregiving yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers validation, strategies, and a reminder that love travels—even when you can't always be there.

Takeaways:

• Emotional truths of long-distance caregiving
• Tips for staying connected and organized from afar
• How to build support systems when you’re not local
• Why presence isn’t just physical—it’s emotional and spirit

In this episode of the Caregivers Lounge, host Shaunté discusses the complexities of caregiving, emphasizing the need for organization, self-care, and setting boundaries. She shares practical tools for managing a loved one's affairs, including calendars, financial management strategies, and the importance of establishing personal boundaries to prevent burnout. The episode encourages caregivers to take actionable steps towards creating systems that support both their loved ones and themselves.

Chapters

00:00 The Reality of Caregiving

02:01 Tools for Managing Caregiving

04:41 Financial Management in Caregiving

07:17 Establishing Boundaries and Preventing Burnout

09:36 Action Steps and Support Systems

Pets aren’t just cute—they’re emotional lifelines for caregivers. In this episode, Shaunté Newby shares how her dog helped her navigate caregiving burnout, stress, and isolation. From unexpected comic relief to quiet companionship, discover how animals offer emotional support, self-care rituals, and healing for caregivers.

Chapters

00:00 The Emotional Support of Pets

04:10 Pets as Caregivers

08:12 Finding Solace in Pet Care

10:32 Unconditional Love from Pets

In this episode of the Caregivers Lounge, host Shaunte Newby emphasizes the importance of self-care for caregivers, who often prioritize others over themselves. She discusses the concept of micro rituals—small, manageable acts of self-care that can fit into busy schedules. Shaunte also highlights the significance of connection and community among caregivers, encouraging listeners to share their own self-care practices. The episode concludes with a reminder that caregivers deserve to take time for themselves and that even brief moments of care can have a profound impact on their well-being.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to the Caregivers Lounge

01:23 Redefining Self-Care

02:40 Micro Rituals for Busy Lives

07:00 The Importance of Connection

08:35 Building a Library of Self-Care

In this episode of the Caregivers Lounge, host Shaunté explores the critical distinction between caregiving time and quality time. She emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with loved ones beyond the tasks of caregiving, sharing personal anecdotes and practical tips for fostering emotional intimacy. The conversation highlights the need for intentional moments of connection, humor, and the significance of being present in relationships. Shaunté invites listeners to prioritize quality time with their loved ones, reminding them that caregiving is not just about tasks but about nurturing relationships.

Takeaways

• Caregiving time is task-oriented and emotionally draining.
• Quality time is about intentional presence and connection.
• Scheduling non-care time can help reclaim quality moments.
• Creating rituals can enhance the quality of time spent together.
• Letting go of perfection allows for more genuine interactions.
• Asking open-ended questions fosters deeper conversations.
• Humor can be a powerful tool for connection in caregiving.
• Quality time can be short but must be intentional.
• Caregiving is an act of love that needs space to breathe.
• Listeners are encouraged to share their quality time moments.

00:00The Caregiver's Dilemma

01:58Understanding Caregiving Time vs Quality Time

06:11Reclaiming Quality Time

10:04The Power of Humor in Caregiving

13:11An Invitation to Connect

In this episode, Shaunté discusses the often unspoken frustrations caregivers face while caring for their loved ones. She shares personal anecdotes and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging mixed emotions, such as love and frustration. The conversation explores practical tools and strategies for caregivers to manage their feelings, set boundaries, and practice self-care, including humor, micro meditations, and journaling. Shaunté encourages caregivers to embrace their emotions and recognize that it's okay to feel overwhelmed at times.

TAKEAWAYS

• Caregiving can be both beautiful and draining.
• It's normal to feel frustrated with those we care for.
• Setting boundaries is essential for mental health.
• Humor can be a useful tool in caregiving.
• Micro meditations can help regain composure.
• Creating code words can facilitate communication.
• Journaling can help process emotions.
• It's okay to express irritation while still loving someone.
• Caregivers need to honor their limits.
• Self-compassion is crucial in caregiving.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Caregiver Frustration

07:26 Embracing the Complexity of Caregiving

12:57 Tools for Caregiver Resilience