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Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Sisterhood of Care, LLC

Website: www.confessionsofareluctantcaregiver.com

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This week, Heidi McCann shares her story and her experience caring for her partner Curtis after he was diagnosed with ALS at 25. Heidi shares how she and Curtis met as teenagers in Vermont and maintained their relationship through college before Curtis began exhibiting symptoms of ALS. When he was diagnosed, Heidi left her job to care for Curtis full-time. She moved with him to his small hometown to be closer to his support system and cared for him over the next year as his condition deteriorated. Heidi and Curtis married 22 days before his passing to declare their commitment to one another.

After Curtis' death, Heidi found new love and purpose, going on to write a book about her caregiving journey of living with and preparing for the death of her partner from ALS. She married again and became a mother of four children. Heidi also now cares for her own mother, who has Parkinson's disease. Throughout the episode, Heidi emphasized the importance of self-care for caregivers and making future plans for support systems. She shares lessons learned from her extensive personal experience of caring for a terminally ill partner through the challenges of ALS.

About Heidi:

Born in Hartford, CT, Heidi Erdmann Vance McCann graduated from the Loomis Chaffee School, where she discovered the power of words. Observing humanity from a young age, her high school years shaped her voice and leadership skills. At Middlebury College, she refined her writing and athletic prowess. After working in development and coaching tennis, she cared for her boyfriend with ALS, ultimately founding a nonprofit in his honor after his passing at age 26.

Over time, Heidi remarried and earned a MALS degree with a concentration in creative writing from Dartmouth College. She returned to the development field at Loomis Chaffee, where she currently works and enjoys tutoring. Living in Simsbury, CT, with her husband, Paul, and their four children - Martha, Ava, Caroline, and James - along with their dogs, Bruin and Bauer, Heidi treasures family time. Setting aside an hour daily for physical activity, she often finds inspiration for future books during this time.

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Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Sisterhood of Care, LLC

Website: www.confessionsofareluctantcaregiver.com

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In this episode, we talk with Helen, Elisabeth, and Jonathan Nash about the gradual progression of care needs that often arise with an aging parent. Imagine standing on the shore of a vast ocean, watching the tide slowly come in - that's how the Nash siblings experienced their mother's increasing health issues and mobility problems. Over time, these changes brought them to the crucial conversation about relocating her to a safer living environment. Their story illustrates how caregiving responsibilities can gently unfold rather than arrive all at once.

Have you ever wondered how siblings can share the load when it comes to caregiving? Each Nash sibling played to their strengths—one coordinated medical care, another provided health guidance and another focused on social needs. We show how dividing duties among family members based on their skills and availability can create an effective care team.

Communication and respect are the pillars of effective caregiving, wouldn't you agree? The Nash siblings emphasize the importance of maintaining consistent messages with their mother and each other to minimize confusion. They also discuss the delicate balance of respecting their mother's autonomy while ensuring her safety. Their approach, rooted in compassion and clarity, offers practical guidance that underscores the value of these qualities in family caregiving situations.

About the Nashes:

The Nashes are a trio of siblings who have embarked on an unexpected journey as family caregivers to their mother, now in her early 90s. With a blend of professional expertise, unwavering dedication, and a touch of humor, they bring their unique combination of strengths to the caregiving table, ensuring their mom’s needs are met while preserving her autonomy and quality of life.

Elisabeth, the oldest daughter, has a background in finance and human resources. She’s the group's master planner. Her analytical thinking helps the caregiving group make the best choices for their mom. She always involves their mom in decision-making and respects her preferences.

Jonathan, the middle child and only son, is retired from the computer software industry. He’s the tech-savvy one of the group, the one who coordinates with their mom’s healthcare providers and caregivers. From ordering groceries to providing transportation, he ensures their mom receives the best care. Jonathan’s the one who makes them laugh with corny puns and irreverent jokes, lightening the mood when things are challenging.

Helen is the baby of the sibling group. She brings her 30+ years of nursing experience to the group, using her expertise to assist with their mom’s medical needs.

Together, the three “kids” make a formidable caregiving team, each bringing unique strengths and skills to the table, whether they are providi

Support the Show.

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Sisterhood of Care, LLC

Website: www.confessionsofareluctantcaregiver.com

Like us on Facebook!

Tweet with us on Twitter!

Follow us on Instagram!

Watch us on Youtube!

Pin us on Pinterest!

Link us on LinkedIn!

Tune in on Whole Care Network