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After 25 episodes of The Care Collective, I’m sharing the biggest lessons I’ve learned from talking to real caregivers. In this episode, we dive into the emotional realities of caregiving, including burnout, guilt, grief, identity loss, family dynamics, and the loneliness so many caregivers quietly carry. These are real insights from caregivers who have lived this experience every day. If you’re a caregiver, or you love someone who is, this episode will help you feel seen, and better understand what caregiving really feels like. 💛 Topics covered: Caregiver burnout and emotional overwhelm Grief in caregiving (even before loss) Feeling unseen or unsupported Family dynamics and resentment Redefining self-care as a caregiver The importance of community and support Listen to The Care Collective Podcast Follow the podcast and find all episodes here: https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast About The Care Collective Podcast The Care Collective Podcast shares honest conversations about caregiving, aging, grief, resilience, and the emotional realities of supporting the people we love. Our goal is to help caregivers feel seen, supported, and less alone.
Caregiving in a digital world often feels like it should be easier, yet staying connected has never felt more complicated, especially when a loved one is living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other cognitive challenges. Whether it’s a grandparent who isn't "tech-savvy" or a parent living across the country, maintaining a meaningful bond can feel out of reach when traditional tools just don’t work for them. We want to stay connected, but we struggle to find a way that fits their reality. In this episode of The Care Collective Podcast, Mikayla sits down with Tyler Zannini, the creator of Memory Board. Tyler developed an innovative electronic message board designed specifically to bridge the gap between families and their loved ones, no matter the distance. Together, they discuss how simple technology can restore a sense of presence, reduce isolation, and provide practical support for daily life. In This Episode, We Cover: ✔️ The Story Behind Memory Board: Why Tyler created a tool specifically for those with cognitive barriers ✔️ The Power of Presence: How consistent, simple messages can reduce anxiety and "sundowning" ✔️ Beyond Memories: Using digital boards for daily reminders, medication prompts, and scheduling ✔️ Simplifying Tech: How to introduce new tools to seniors or those with executive functioning challenges without causing overwhelm ✔️ Long-Distance Caregiving: Practical ways to feel "there" when you’re miles away This episode is a must-listen for caregivers supporting someone with: Dementia or Alzheimer’s ADHD or executive functioning challenges Long-distance caregiving needs If you’ve ever felt the ache of wanting to reach out but didn't know how to make it "click" for your loved one, this conversation will give you a simple, beautiful way to bring your family closer together. Connect with Our Guests https://memoryboard.com/ Listen to The Care Collective Podcast Follow the podcast and find all episodes here: https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast About The Care Collective Podcast The Care Collective Podcast shares honest conversations about caregiving, aging, grief, resilience, and the emotional realities of supporting the people we love. Our goal is to help caregivers feel seen, supported, and less alone.
If you’ve ever said “let me know how I can help” to a caregiver… this episode is for you. Caregiving is more than just physical support, it’s emotional, mental, and often invisible. And while most people mean well, many don’t realize that asking a caregiver what they need can actually add more pressure during an already overwhelming time. In this episode of The Care Collective Podcast, we’re breaking down: What caregiving really feels like behind the scenes Why “let me know how I can help” doesn’t always work What caregivers actually need from friends, family, and partners Simple, practical ways to support a caregiver without adding to their mental load This is an episode caregivers can send to the people in their lives to help them better understand how to show up. If you love a caregiver, or you are one, this conversation will help you feel more connected, supported, and seen. 🎧 Share this episode with someone who’s been trying to support you. Listen to The Care Collective Podcast Follow the podcast and find all episodes here: https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast About The Care Collective Podcast The Care Collective Podcast shares honest conversations about caregiving, aging, grief, resilience, and the emotional realities of supporting the people we love. Our goal is to help caregivers feel seen, supported, and less alone.
Caring for a loved one is more than just a responsibility, it often feels like a full-time commitment that demands every ounce of your physical, mental, and emotional energy. From the constant worry about a loved one falling to the struggle of staying connected across long distances, the weight of caregiving can easily lead to burnout. It leaves many caregivers asking: How do I take care of myself without losing sight of the person I love? In this episode of The Care Collective Podcast, Mikayla sits down with Sara Shum, a physical therapist, to discuss the intersection of professional care and personal well-being. Sara shares how caregivers can protect their own health while continuing to love, honor, and remember the stories of those they care for. Together, they dive into practical strategies to help you stay grounded, connected, and physically supported through the most stressful seasons of caregiving. In This Episode, We Cover: ✔️ The Power of Connection: Why socialization is a vital health tool for both the caregiver and the patient ✔️ The "Self-Care 5": Simple, actionable tricks to prevent burnout even on your busiest days ✔️ Legacy & Honor: Meaningful ways to remember and celebrate a loved one’s story while navigating their care ✔️ Safety & Support: How to manage the physical fears of caregiving, like fall prevention and mobility support ✔️ The Emotional Shift: Moving from "surviving" the day to finding moments of connection and joy This episode is especially helpful for: Caregivers supporting someone with Dementia or Alzheimer’s Those navigating Hospice or terminal care Anyone feeling the heavy weight of caregiver burnout If you’ve ever felt like you’re running on empty while trying to give your all to someone else, this conversation will give you the permission, and the tools, to care for yourself too. Resources Mentioned Connect with Sara Here: https://www.instagram.com/dr.sara.shum/ Listen to The Care Collective Podcast Follow the podcast and find all episodes here: https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast About The Care Collective Podcast The Care Collective Podcast shares honest conversations about caregiving, aging, grief, resilience, and the emotional realities of supporting the people we love. Our goal is to help caregivers feel seen, supported, and less alone.
Caregiving doesn’t just affect your schedule and emotions; it affects your brain. In this episode of The Care Collective Podcast, Mikayla sits down with Dr. Christine Powell, an education therapist and executive functioning coach, to explore the brain science behind caregiving stress. Many caregivers experience mental exhaustion, forgetfulness, decision fatigue, and emotional overwhelm. But according to brain science, these experiences aren’t personal failures, they’re often the result of prolonged stress impacting the brain’s executive functioning systems. Dr. Powell shares both professional insight and personal experience as her family supports her nearly 90-year-old father. Together, we discuss practical tools caregivers can use to reduce cognitive overload, support aging loved ones, and care for their own mental wellbeing. In this episode, you’ll learn: • What executive functioning is and why it matters for caregivers • How chronic stress impacts memory, focus, and decision making • Why caregivers often experience “brain overload” • Simple systems that can reduce mental strain (checklists, calendars, visual tools) • How to support autonomy in aging parents and loved ones • Strategies to prevent caregiver burnout • Why self-compassion is essential for caregiver wellbeing Dr. Powell also shares helpful tools for supporting both caregivers and aging loved ones, including visual timers, structured routines, and ways to stimulate the brain through connection, memory, and meaningful engagement. If you’re caring for a parent, spouse, or loved one and often feel mentally overwhelmed, this conversation will help you better understand what’s happening in your brain, and give you practical ways to lighten the load. Resources Mentioned Executive Function Assessment (Free) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfrrS2eef1-rbGMvgguXUzHryXvSmRaBojfg_4mx5yo1gzRFg/viewform You can connect with Dr. Christine Powell through the ADHD Success Lab on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. https://learningbyconnecting.com/ Listen to The Care Collective Podcast Follow the podcast and find all episodes here: https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast About The Care Collective Podcast The Care Collective Podcast shares honest conversations about caregiving, aging, grief, resilience, and the emotional realities of supporting the people we love. Our goal is to help caregivers feel seen, supported, and less alone.
Morning routines can become surprisingly difficult for people experiencing memory loss, dementia, or executive functioning challenges. Tasks like brushing teeth, getting dressed, or preparing for an appointment may seem simple, but they actually require multiple brain functions working together. When those functions change, everyday routines can become confusing and overwhelming. In this solo episode of The Care Collective Podcast, Mikayla explains why daily routines often break down for people with cognitive changes and shares a simple tool that can help: visual routines. Visual routines use pictures and clear step-by-step prompts to help someone move through daily tasks with more independence and less frustration. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why executive functioning challenges make simple routines difficult • Why repeating instructions often doesn’t work • How visual cues and environment prompts can help • How to create a simple morning checklist for a loved one with memory challenges • Practical caregiver strategies to make mornings smoother Mikayla also shares a free Visual Morning Routine Guide that caregivers can customize using their own photos to support loved ones with memory loss or cognitive changes. This episode is especially helpful for caregivers supporting someone with: dementia or Alzheimer’s traumatic brain injury stroke recovery Parkinson’s disease ADHD or executive functioning challenges 🎧 Download the free Visual Morning Routine Guide Here
What happens when you start noticing small changes in a parent, missed appointments, unpaid bills, or confusion over everyday tasks, and suddenly realize the caregiving journey has begun? In this episode of The Care Collective Podcast, Mikayla sits down with Ellen Frazier to talk about stepping into the role of caregiver for her mother while navigating the uncertainty of an ongoing dementia diagnosis. Ellen shares how her journey began when she started noticing changes in her mom’s memory and daily routines. What started as frequent visits to help with small things, like finding the remote or adjusting the thermostat, eventually led to a major life decision: renovating her home so her mom could move in and live with her family. This conversation explores the emotional, logistical, and relational realities of caregiving, from advocating within the healthcare system to managing caregiver burnout and finding moments of connection along the way. If you are caring for an aging parent, supporting someone with dementia symptoms, or preparing for a future caregiving role, this episode offers both practical insights and emotional encouragement. In this episode, we discuss: The early signs that a parent may need caregiving support How Ellen navigated the long and often frustrating process of seeking a dementia diagnosis What it looks like to advocate for a loved one within the healthcare system The emotional shift from occasional help to full-time caregiving Creating a living situation that supports both independence and safety The importance of caregiver mental health and avoiding compassion fatigue Building a support system and learning to accept help Self-care practices that help caregivers avoid burnout Why compassion and patience are essential when caring for someone experiencing memory changes Ellen also shares how her background as a recovery coach and her own sobriety journey have shaped how she approaches caregiving with empathy, patience, and intentional self-care. At the heart of this conversation is a reminder that caregiving is not just about tasks — it's about relationships, dignity, and meeting people where they are. As Mikayla says throughout the podcast: The Care Collective is here from the first emergency… all the way through the identity crisis of figuring out who you are after caregiving. If you’re navigating this journey right now, you are not alone. Resources Mentioned Family Caregiver Support Resources https://www.caregiver.org You can learn more about Ellen and her work here: https://ellenfrazier.com Connect with The Care Collective Follow the podcast for more conversations about caregiving, resilience, and navigating the realities of supporting aging loved ones. https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast
What is it really like to build a 30-year career in professional caregiving? In this episode of The Care Collective Podcast, I sit down with Christina Potts, a retired home health aide turned caregiver advocate, to talk about the realities of working in home care for three decades. We discuss the hidden grief caregivers carry when clients pass away, why caregiving is often misunderstood as “just a job,” and the emotional resilience required to stay in the field long-term. Christina shares how formal training shaped her approach, what families should look for when hiring caregivers, and why background checks and credentials matter more than people realize. We also dive into caregiver burnout, sexual harassment in home care, the national caregiver shortage, Medicaid and Medicare concerns, and the urgent need for better pay and benefits, including the push toward $20/hour wages and long-term retirement support for care workers. If you are: • A professional caregiver • A family caregiver • Considering caregiving as a career • Hiring in-home care for a loved one • Or advocating for better caregiver wages and protections This conversation will give you insight, validation, and practical perspective. Caregiving is real work. It is skilled work. And it deserves recognition. — Follow The Care Collective for more honest conversations about caregiving, grief, burnout, and building sustainable support systems for those who care for others.
Caregiver loneliness is real, and no one talks about it enough. In this solo episode of The Care Collective Podcast, we’re diving into a hidden layer of caregiving: losing friends and feeling isolated while caring for someone you love. If you’ve ever felt like your world has gotten smaller… Like you’re canceling plans more than you’re making them… Like friendships have quietly shifted since you became a caregiver… You are not alone. Caregiver isolation and social loneliness are incredibly common among family caregivers. Between managing appointments, emotional stress, anticipatory grief, and burnout, maintaining friendships can feel overwhelming, and sometimes impossible. In this episode, we talk about: • Why caregiving changes friendships • The emotional impact of social isolation • The “double grief” of losing connection while caregiving • Why friends may struggle to show up (without villainizing them) • How to find support in this season If you're caring for a parent, spouse, child, or loved one, and feeling alone in the process, this conversation is for you. The Care Collective Podcast exists to support caregivers navigating burnout, grief, resilience, and the emotional weight of care. Because when caregivers feel seen and supported, everyone benefits. 🎧 Listen in, share with someone who needs it, and remember: you are not too much. You’re carrying something heavy. Find more information on the podcast here: https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast
Caregiver burnout is real, and it doesn’t mean you’re failing. In this episode, we’re talking about the emotional stress of caregiving, the warning signs of caregiver burnout, and how to prevent exhaustion when you’re caring for an aging parent, spouse, or loved one with dementia. I’m joined by Kevin Lambing, co-owner of enhdme.com and longtime advocate for family caregivers. With a background in caregiver education, and personal experience in caregiving, Kevin shares practical insight into what burnout actually looks like in real life. We discuss: The emotional toll of dementia caregiving How falls can impact both physical and mental health Sleep deprivation and caregiver anxiety Why “self-care isn’t selfish” is essential for survival The importance of respite care and support systems How to prepare your home to reduce stress and prevent crises Why caregiver stories matter, and how community reduces isolation Caregiver burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It builds in the constant responsibility, the grief, the decision fatigue, and the feeling that you always have to be “on.” Whether you’re in the early stages of caregiving or deep in the thick of it, this episode will remind you that you are not alone, and that protecting your own mental health is part of being a good caregiver. Resources mentioned in this episode: Kevin’s free home safety checklist for families Fall prevention tools and dementia support resources (Links in show notes.) ENDHME for personal care products If this episode resonates, share it with another caregiver who may need encouragement today. You deserve support, too. 💛 Find more information on the Podcast Here