From Family Caregiver to Advocate: Martha Ranon on Building Support for Dementia Caregivers

📝 Episode Overview:

In this episode, Laura sits down with Martha Ranon, Executive Vice President of the Southern Caregiver Resource Center (SCRC), to talk about the power of turning personal caregiving experience into community advocacy. Together, they explore how caregivers can access meaningful support, educational resources, and the validation they need to continue showing up with compassion and resilience.

👤 Meet Martha Ranon:

Martha Ranon is the Executive Vice President of the Southern Caregiver Resource Center in San Diego, CA. Her personal journey as a family caregiver led her to a professional path supporting others in similar roles. Martha is a passionate advocate for caregivers, offering support through education, community programs, and public awareness. She helps families navigate the often complex and emotional world of caregiving, particularly for those caring for someone with dementia or cognitive impairments.

📌 Topics Discussed:

• Martha’s transition from family caregiver to professional advocate
• The mission of the Southern Caregiver Resource Center
• Support groups and education as tools for caregiver resilience
• Why caregiving should never be done in isolation
• The emotional, physical, and mental toll of long-term caregiving
• Building a bridge between caregivers and accessible resources
• Simple steps toward caregiver self-care

⏱️ Timestamps (Approximate):

00:00 – Introduction to Martha Ranon and the Southern Caregiver Resource Center 02:45 – Martha’s personal caregiving story: Caring for her great aunt

06:10 – How her caregiving experience led to her professional role

08:30 – The mission and work of Southern Caregiver Resource Center

11:40 – Challenges caregivers face and the importance of support groups

15:20 – The emotional impact of caregiving and how Martha supports families

18:10 – Educational programs and how they empower caregivers

21:30 – Common caregiver struggles and how community helps

26:00 – Martha’s advice for overwhelmed caregivers

30:15 – What self-care really looks like for caregivers

33:00 – Why accessible resources make all the difference

36:20 – Final reflections and how to connect with SCRC

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Caregiver support is essential—not optional
• Community resources can transform the caregiving experience
• Educational programs empower caregivers to advocate for themselves
• There is no “one right way” to care for someone—personalized support matters
• Even small moments of self-care make a big difference
• You don’t have to do this alone

📚 Resources Mentioned:

• Southern Caregiver Resource Center – https://www.caregivercenter.org
• Support groups, educational programs, and local caregiving services

🤝 Connect with Martha Ranon:

• Visit https://www.caregivercenter.org to learn more about Martha’s work and the services available through SCRC.

🌿 Connect with Laura Vaillancourt & the Life on Repeat Podcast:

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