Born blind, from a very young age, Elizabeth Mohler experienced the barriers and obstacles one with a disability can face in an ableist society. With lived experience as both a care recipient and a caregiver, Elizabeth shares her insightful perspectives on care and the education and changes she feels are instrumental in supporting a culture of accessibility. About Elizabeth Mohler:Elizabeth Mohler is a sibling care partner, researcher, and educator whose work bridges lived experience, scholarship, and advocacy. She is a PhD candidate in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Western University, where her research examines how autonomy, support, and care are represented within Ontario’s Direct Funding program. Drawing on critical disability studies and occupational science, Elizabeth explores how ideas of independence and productivity shape the lives and identities of disabled people and their care partners.Elizabeth also works as a Pre-Employment Specialist at BALANCE for Blind Adults, supporting blind and partially sighted job seekers in building confidence, technology skills, and pathways to meaningful employment. In addition, she is a Family as Faculty member at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, contributing to the training of healthcare professionals and promoting more relational, family-centered approaches to care and research.As a sibling care partner, Elizabeth understands care as a shared, interdependent practice—one that values reciprocity, creativity, and dignity. Across her academic, professional, and community work, she continues to advocate for inclusive and compassionate models of care that recognize families and disabled people as essential voices in shaping change.*The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.*Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregivingPodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews

Facing the loss of her mother in her 20s, Barri Leiner found herself experiencing the sudden shock of grief. Turning her pain and learning into purpose, Barri transformed her life and career into meaningful giving and support through The Memory Circle. In today’s episode, Barri shares the experience of losing both her parents and how she started and continues to support so many through The Memory Circle.About Barri Leiner:Barri Leiner Grant is a highly respected grief specialist, author and founder of The Memory Circle, a creative and healing space for remembrance and ritual. Barri brings a distinct aesthetic sensibility to the field of grief work—bridging beauty and healing in ways that feel modern, personal, and deeply human.She is the creator of Permission Granted, a widely read Substack newsletter that invites readers to navigate loss with honesty, tenderness, and earned wisdom. Barri is recognized for her unique approach to grief support, which combines storytelling, symbolism, and community to help people mark loss with intention and carry memories forward with care.Sought after as a speaker, collaborator, and guide, Barri is redefining how we talk about grief—removing the shame and silence, and replacing it with permission, presence, and grace.Her work has been featured in The Washington Post and Psychology Today and on award winning podcasts. *The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.*Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregivingThank you to today's episode sponsor, Eugeria. Eugeria's Idem clock and the Idem Connected Pill Dispenser, are designed to reduce stress for caregivers and help older adults keep their independence and routines. To learn more about the Idem clock visit  https://idem.care/pages/the-idem-smart-clock?utm_source=social+&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=compassionincaregiving and enter code COMPASSION10 for 10% off your purchase.PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews

Elizabeth Marie Chambers shares her experiences as a muti-generational caregiver in today’s episode as she highlights caring for a child with complex medical needs, multiple children, and a parent.  She details her breaking point in care and how she recognized the need to care for herself. She further highlights how she uses her experiences to drive change and advocate for shifts in the system and how others view ‘caregiving’. About Elizabeth Marie Chambers:Elizabeth Marie Chambers is a teacher, life long learner and the epitome of a (club)sandwich generation caregiver. Elizabeth and her husband care for her elderly mother who has Alzheimer's; their adult son with lifelong support needs, who spent his childhood as Elizabeth’s foster brother; their resilient teenage daughter; and their medically complex youngest son. Before becoming a Medical Mama and Knowledge Broker, Elizabeth was working at a national level organization leading professional learning for educators and school administrators. After the traumatic birth of her youngest, which they barely survived, Elizabeth’s life followed a path to becoming involved in the field of childhood disability research. The experience with her youngest has involved over 300 days of inpatient hospital care, countless interactions with multidisciplinary healthcare teams, and daily engagement with disability support systems, which all profoundly informed her approach to research and community leadership. Elizabeth’s passion for transformative family-centred practices began with a research study at CanChild Centre for Childhood-Onset Disability Research, based out of McMaster University, called ENVISAGE. This experience marked a pivotal shift in her trajectory from caregiver to research partner, advocate, facilitator, and leader. Since then, she has become devoted to sharing the ideas of family-centered care, strengths-based approaches, partnerships and advocacy at a local and international level. She feels honoured to now be a member of the International Leadership Team for ENVISAGE. Elizabeth is also a Parent Partner and Co-Principle Investigator in several research projects; has chaired several advisory committees at her local children’s treatment centre; is a committee member and consultant for a new pediatric hospice build, a global speaker and a blogger at www.lightkeeperlife.com Elizabeth is deeply committed to creating inclusive, collaborative spaces in healthcare, education and research and is a fierce advocate, for her family, for other children, other elders, other caregivers and the service professionals who support them.*The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.*Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

A very common sentiment we hear from caregivers is the loneliness and isolation felt as a result of misunderstandings between other family members or friends, the feeling that others don’t understand the caregiving perspective and feeling as though there is no one to share the day-to-day highs and lows with. In today’s episode, Stephanie invites her friend and fellow FTD daughter, Jacquelyn Shapiro, onto the podcast to discuss how their friendship formed, their thoughts on friendship in caregiving and how to find community at a time when you feel the most lonely.About Jacquelyn:Jackie first learned about AFTD in October 2020, when her mother was diagnosed with bvFTD and learned that the progranulin (GRN) mutation was the cause, despite there being no family history of dementia. Since then, Jackie has used the Instagram @ftdalovestory as a platform to educate others about FTD, advocate for caregivers and families, and discuss genetics and genetic testing. She has been featured in a caregiving documentary, interviews, and several podcasts, and works with researchers and pharmaceutical companies to educate their staff on FTD and how to work with families dealing with dementia. She is currently the New York Ambassador for the AFTD, and a CureGRN Champion.*The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.*Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

Having just started her career and life as a young mom, Katie Brandt’s entire world changed in an instant when her husband was diagnosed with FTD in his early 30s. The next several years, compounded by care for multiple family members in addition to her young son, threw her in the depths of ongoing crisis. But through her tremendous resiliency and learning, Katie has used her pain and story for change and tremendous ongoing advocacy in ways we often could not imagine.About Katie:Katie Brandt, MM is a global advocate, national dementia care expert and Director of Caregiver Support Services, Massachusetts General Hospital Frontotemporal Disorders Unit. As former Co-Chair of the US National Alzheimer’s Project Act Advisory Council, CEO of Katie Brandt Advocacy, and From Care to Cure podcast host, Katie harnesses the power of lived experience as a caregiver for her late husband and father to advance person-centered care, influence policy, and inspire hope that the cure of tomorrow is not so far from the care of today. Learn more about Katie’s story on her website; www.KatieBrandt.org .*The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.*Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

We have heard about caregiving, we have heard about eldercare, but how often do you hear about working caregivers? This topic is JUST starting to come to the forefront, yet millions of caregivers have been balancing work and care for years and continue to on a daily basis.  In today’s episode, Christa Haanstra, lead for the working caregiver initiative at the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (an initiative by the Azrieli Foundation), joins Stephanie to talk about the statistics of working care, what we know to be true about caregivers in the workplace and how workplaces can do better to support their caregivers, most who are hidden. Christa also talks about the invaluable skills caregivers bring to their jobs and the reasons why caregivers choose to hide their roles at home.This is an episode you do not want to miss!About Christa Haanstra:Christa has been a public voice in creating awareness of the role offamily caregivers in our society. She is a passionate spokesperson forbetter identifying, recognizing, supporting and ultimately integrating caregivers as true partners with health and social care teams.Christa is the lead for the Working Caregiver initiative at the Canadian Centre for Caregiving (CCCE) – a program of the Azrieli Foundation - and is the past co-chair of CCCE’s lived experience advisory panel: Caregivers CAN. Christa is also the Founder and Managing Director of 4C Strategy group, a company dedicated to advancing meaningful change by working with organizations to ensure lived experiences are at the heart of everything they do.Find Christa: https://www.4cstrategy.ca/our-team https://canadiancaregiving.org/ *The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.*Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

The person you care for has a daily routine or activities in their daily life they hope to continue to uphold, but yet when connected to a new home care agency or when in hospital, they are told they may have to modify or change how they approach their activities of daily life. How can these third parties tell you and the person you care for how to participate in activities of daily living and why is this important?In today’s episode, Stephanie explores the background on why and how third parties can inform care in alternative settings or while using external services and what you can do about this approach to care.  Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

Spencer Cline was only 7 years old when his father was first diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration (behavioural variant). From a very young age, he witnessed how profoundly this illness affected his father, mother, and entire family. Today, Spencer is a passionate advocate for FTD, dedicated to changing the narrative around the disease and supporting those impacted by it. He recently biked 3600+ miles across America to raise awareness about FTD and continues to speak publicly and educate others, driven by his commitment to help end this devastating illness.In today's episode he talks about his profound experience of love, loss and change.About Spencer:Spencer Cline became familiar with FTD at a very young age, as his father started exhibiting behavioral changes shortly after he was born. His dad was diagnosed with bvFTD when Spencer was seven years old, then was diagnosed with the C9orf72 genetic variant, which is linked to both FTD and ALS. After watching his dad fight the disease until he passed in 2012, Spencer developed a passion for spreading awareness in hopes to find a cure – a passion that has only grown with time. He has organized multiple fundraising/awareness events with the Babson College men’s basketball team, biked across the U.S. in support of FTD in 2024, and was Keynote Speaker at AFTD’s 2025 Hope Rising Benefit. He also serves as an AFTD Ambassador.Find Spencer on Instagram: @spencer_cline22Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

Vivian Stamatopoulos - advocate, professor, and long-time researcher in the field of caregiving and long-term care-joins the podcast to uncover the hidden truths about our long-term care system. Vivian shares what she realized during COVID about the nursing home crisis, where long-term care stands today, and the significant changes needed to improve care and shift the narrative for those living in nursing homes and the people who love them the most. This powerful conversation shines a light on what must happen to create a more positive and dignified future for long-term care.About Vivian:Dr. Vivian Stamatopoulos is an Associate Teaching Professor at Ontario Tech University and one of Canada’s leading experts on family caregiving, child and youth-based caregiving (young carers) and long-term care. With a PhD in Sociology, her research focuses on the experiences of family caregivers (particularly young carers/caregivers) and the systemic challenges facing older adults in institutional care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Stamatopoulos emerged as a nationally recognized advocate for long-term care reform. She became a prominent media commentator and policy voice, exposing the devastating impact of systemic neglect, inadequate staffing, and profit-driven models of care on vulnerable residents. Often referred to as a “long-term care crusader,” she has worked alongside families, legal advocates, and community organizations to push for meaningful change in elder care policy. Her expertise has been sought by policymakers, parliamentary committees, and grassroots advocacy groups and beyond academia, she continues to amplify the voices of residents and families, insisting that dignity, transparency, and accountability must be at the center of Canada’s care system. For her scholarship and advocacy work, she has earned various recognitions, including KITE-UHN’s Paper of the Year Award (University Health Network), The Doris Anderson Award (Chatelaine Magazine), The Orville Thacker Award (Ontario Health Coalition), Health Hero (Best Health Magazine) and Vaccine Hero (Toronto Star).Find Dr. Vivian Stamatopoulos on X:  https://x.com/drvivians?lang=en*The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not constitute therapy or counselling. If you are in need of mental health support or professional guidance, please reach out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.*Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

Carla Velastegui began caring for her mother with Parkinson’s disease while still in high school, experiencing both the challenges and deep insights that caregiving can bring. In this episode, Carla shares how those early experiences shaped her life, her relationships, and her future. She discusses the ups and downs of her caregiving journey and how it inspired her career as a consultant working with organizations to adapt and implement technology to assist and transform the caregiving experience. About Carla: Carla Velastegui is a healthcare technologist and long-term caregiver whose early caregiving experiences continue to shape her work in healthcare, technology, and policy. Since her teenage years, she has cared for her mother, diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s Disease in 2010. This perspective informs the systems and solutions she helps design, with a commitment to placing patients, caregivers, and their supporters at the center. Known for her deep understanding of healthcare and technology, Carla is a dedicated advocate, global speaker, and thought leader in the caregiver community. She has led digital health initiatives, advised on policy and innovation strategies, and worked across startups, government, healthcare, and research organizations. She serves on the boards of Acclaim Health and YWCA Hamilton and holds advisory roles with the Parkinson’s Foundation, Canada’s Drug Agency, and other healthcare and research organizations.Passionate about ethical, inclusive, and practical health technologies, Carla brings lived experience and professional expertise to conversations about caregiving, patient engagement, and equity, focusing on how AI and emerging technologies can help shape systems that reflect the realities of care.Find Carla: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-velastegui/?originalSubdomain=chVisit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

In this episode, we dive into the numbers behind caregiver mental health, sharing Canadian statistics that reveal just how many caregivers, including those who are working caregivers, face similar challenges. While it can often feel like you’re alone in your struggles, the truth is that far more people are experiencing the same difficulties than you may realize. Stephanie breaks down the facts to help you feel seen, supported, and connected in your caregiving journey.Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

In this episode, Stephanie explores a common question caregivers face: Do I need to change my entire routine to feel better if I am overwhelmed as a caregiver? When self-care feels overwhelming or unattainable, is a complete lifestyle overhaul the only answer-or can small, realistic steps make a real difference? Stephanie shares insights on what truly helps when you’re feeling stretched thin, offering practical ideas to support your well-being without adding more pressure.Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

Dr. Adrianna Shnall, program director at the Baycrest Kochinsky Centre, has been a social worker and clinician in the field of aging and caregiving for over 30 years. In today’s episode, she shares her top learnings in the field, what she feels is the most noteworthy in the area of aging and caregiver mental health today, and what may be on the horizon for caregivers in the future.Dr. Adriana Shnall: , PhD, MSW, RSW, serves as the Program Director of the Koschitzky Centre for Innovations in Family Caregiving at Baycrest in Toronto. With over 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Shnall has made significant contributions to the field of gerontology, working with older adults and their families across various settings, including outpatient community services, long-term care, and inpatient services. Her extensive experience and dedication to improving the lives of older adults have earned her prestigious recognitions, such as the Baycrest Outstanding Innovations Award and the Stephen Herbert Award for Excellence in Education. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Shnall is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. She teaches graduate courses related to “Caregiving and Aging” and “Aging and Health” at the Factor- Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and at the Institute for Life Course and Aging. Dr. Shnall is also deeply involved in advocacy and community service. She is a board member of the Petro Canada CareMakers Foundation, which supports family caregivers, and the Ontario Caregiver Coalition and participates in numerous local, provincial, and national advocacy tables. Her involvement in these organizations demonstrates her commitment to influencing policy and improving support systems for caregivers and older adults on a broader scale.A respected speaker, Dr. Shnall frequently presents on topics related to family caregiving, aging, and dementia. Her presentations are informed by her rich background in clinical practice, education, research, and leadership. By sharing her insights and experiences, she empowers healthcare providers, family caregivers, and the general public to enhance their quality of life and that of the individuals they care for. Dr. Shnall’s work is characterized by a seamless integration of clinical practice, education, research, and leadership. Her holistic approach ensures that she addresses the multifaceted needs of older adults and their families, providing comprehensive support and innovative solutions. Her dedication to the field of geriatric care and her numerous contributions make her a leading figure in the area of family caregiving and aging.Through her ongoing efforts, Dr. Adriana Shnall continues to make a significant impact on the lives of older adults, their families, and the professionals who serve them, ensuring that the quality of care and support available to this population is continually enhanced and improved.Find Adrianna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-adriana-shnall-phd-msw-rsw-88b8a4150/?originalSubdomain=caC-CART: https://c-cart.baycrest.org/Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

Many of us have had the conversation- we vow to keep the person we care for home forever; We will never move them to a facility or otherwise... And then one day, reality hits, and we face the fact that we may not be able to follow through on this promise that once seemed feasible. In today’s episode, Jeanette Yates discusses how she navigated this exact situation with her own mother and what she learned in the process. She shares her experiences and learnings with listeners that are sure to leave you feeling validated, heard and understood.About Jeanette:Jeanette began caring for her mother at 8 years old. As a lifelong caregiver, she understands the challenges of balancing self-care with the demands of caring for others. She eventually discovered the power of prioritizing her own needs without sacrificing the care she provides to her loved ones. Jeanette started The Self-Caregiver to help caregivers take time for themselves, without being weighted down by guilt. Jeanette is the author of From Guilt To Good Enough: A Caregiver's Journey of Overcoming Burnout Through Healing Childhood Trauma. You can find her on Instagram (@theselfcaregiver), TikTok, and Substack (selfcaregiver.substack.com).Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

Why would you even want to talk about or process the deep emotions? The painful thoughts or feelings that just feel too difficult to think about? In caregiving, isn’t it easier to just let these go and focus on the task of hand since things are already so stressful? In today’s episode, Stephanie answers these questions and talks about why therapy can be so helpful for caregivers and why doing some of the hard work can lead to very positive benefits ongoing.Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

In this episode, Stephanie shares some of the most memorable (frankly, ridiculous) things people have said to her while she was caring for her mother and following her mother’s passing. Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram!http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

Charles Morris has an incredible story, and we are so thankful he is sharing it on our podcast today. From not speaking to his mother for years, to forming a beautiful and meaningful relationship with her, to moving in with his parents and caring for them for years… And then a traumatic brain injury…. This is an episode you do not want to miss.About Charles Morris:Charlie Morris was a full time live-in caregiver for his mother as she died from dementia and cancer, during the peak of the Covid pandemic. He has turned his journal entries from that time into a book and podcast titled "Us At Our Worst". Charlie currently lives in Iowa City, Iowa where he spends as much time outside as possible and bothers his two adult children by checking in with them way too often. Find Charles Morris on instagram: @thevideoslabVisit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

Canada is in dire need of a national caregiving strategy. And on today’s episode, we welcome James Janeiro, director of policy and government relations at the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE), to discuss what he and the CCCE are tirelessly working on to make this dream a reality. If you have ever wondered how policies come into effect and what it takes behind the scenes to make this happen (and how a Canadian caregiver strategy may be closer than ever before) listen now!About James:James Janeiro is a public policy and advocacy professional with over a decade of experience in politics, policy and government relations. As director of policy and government relations at the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, James leads an ambitious national and pan-Canadian advocacy and policy development agenda focused on substantive and practical reform.He began his career in the Ontario Public Service working on disability legislation. He then transitioned to the political policy space and served two successive Ontario ministers of community and social services as senior policy advisor on social assistance, poverty, disability, and veterans’ issues.In 2014, James assumed a new role serving Premier Kathleen Wynne as her social policy advisor. In this position, he was responsible for a diverse array of policy areas, including poverty reduction, housing, the Basic Income Pilot, disability issues, autism services and municipal affairs. In 2018, James left government for a senior role in the not-for-profit sector. He was director of community engagement and policy at Community Living Toronto from 2018 to 2022. In this role, James developed and executed advocacy strategies focused on housing, income security, and service improvement.He holds an honours BA in political science, history, and languages and a master’s in public policy from the University of Toronto. James lives in Toronto with his wife, dog and two cats.Find the CCCE: https://canadiancaregiving.org/On instagram: @canadiancaregivingVisit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

In today’s episode, caregiver @debbieelkins , shares her story caring for her husband Chuck with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), and discusses how @theaftd  supported her during both her caregiving journey, and provided her a sense of purpose through volunteer and advocacy. AFTD’s director of support and education, Esther Kane, also joins us on today’s insightful episode to discuss all that AFTD provides currently, how they support caregivers and those with an FTD diagnosis, and what may be on the horizon for the organization and the FTD landscape.About Debbie Elkins: Debbie Elkins is a care partner for her husband, Chuck, who is living with Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD), a proud mother of three daughters and a grandmother of six. She is deeply committed to advocacy and education, volunteering with The Association forFrontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) as an Ambassador and support group leader, and serving as a voting member of the West Virginia State Dementia Task Force. Through her efforts, she strives to raise awareness, support affected families, and contribute to the development of a stronger, more informed future for those impacted by dementia. You can theaftdconnect with Debbie on Instagram @debbieelkinsAbout Esther Kane:Esther Kane, MSN, RN-CDP, has been serving as the Director of Support and Education at AFTD since November 2020. With a rich background in dementia care, Esther previously held the position of Director of Nursing at several long-term care facilities specializing in the care of individuals with dementia. Her expertise in clinical dementia care, combined with her deep commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality care for those living with neurological conditions, drives her work at AFTD. Esther is dedicated to ensuring that every person affected by Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) has access to the support and care they need. She is also passionate about educating healthcare professionals to enhance diagnosis and care, underscoring the critical role of education and training throughout the entire process from diagnosis on. Find the AFTD website here: https://www.theaftd.org/Find the AFTD on Instagram here: @theaftdVisit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving

This is not commonly provided education so do not worry if this is all new or confusing! Most people are confused about powers of attorney, advanced directives and wills and why they can be extremely important/ what they can help with. In today’s episode, Stephanie discusses her perspectives on having a power of attorney document and what she has seen in her personal life and in hospital and private practice when it comes to powers of attorney and advanced directives. *please note, Stephanie is not a lawyer and this episode does not represent legal advice. Please speak to a lawyer or other legal representative for your own power of attorneys and other legal matters*Visit us on our website to see all that we offer for caregiver support:www.compassionincaregiving.comFor more visit our Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/compassionincaregiving