When Ngozi Iroanyah's family began navigating a dementia diagnosis, she quickly saw how much of the caregiving journey is shaped not just by the disease, but by the systems around it. In this episode of Caregiver's Compass, Ngozi shares her personal story of caring for a loved one with dementia, the inequities she encountered along the way, and how that experience pushed her into research and advocacy. We talk about what culturally sensitive, genuinely inclusive healthcare could look like - and why that change is so urgently needed.About Ngozi: Ngozi Iroanyah is the Director of Health Equity and Access with the Alzheimer Society of Ontario. In her role she develops and supports the creation of equity focused programs and resources across 26 local Alzheimer societies in the province to better serve equity deserving populations. She also supports equity deserving communities address stigma reduction and dementia awareness across Canada. She is a public speaker and a dementia advocate. She is also a PhD candidate at York University in Health Policy and Equity Studies where her research focuses on experiences of dementia in the Black community using an intersectional lens. She was a caregiver to Dr. Felix Iroanyah, her father, who lived with dementia for almost 18 years. He is the inspiration for her work.  Thank you to today’s sponsor, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. To learn more about AFTD please visit https://www.theaftd.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

Death is one of the hardest things caregivers face - and one of the least talked about. In this episode of Caregiver's Compass, we sit down with Christa Ovenell, a community educator, funeral director, and end-of-life doula, to talk openly about death, dying, and the conversations we avoid until we can't anymore. Christa shares how she helps families demystify death, dispel common misconceptions, and approach end-of-life planning with more compassion and clarity - and less fear.About Christa:Community educator, funeral director, and end-of-life doula Christa Ovenell is the founder of Death’s Apprentice Education & Planning. Her heartfelt, practical approach to tackling difficult topics helps folks think about, talk about, and prepare for all aspects of life....even death. You can find her via her website www.deathsapprentice.ca or on Instagram @deathsapprentice.caThank you to today’s sponsor, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. To learn more about AFTD please visit https://www.theaftd.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

It's one of the most overlooked chapters in caregiving: the after. How do we rebuild a life once we've lost not only the person we cared for, but the role of caregiving itself? In today's episode, Stephanie opens up about this hidden, yet deeply important, phase of the caregiving experience.Thank you to today’s sponsor, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. To learn more about AFTD please visit https://www.theaftd.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

In this heartfelt conversation, Jacqueline Vong and her mother Olivia Vong share their journey through caregiving, cultural perceptions of dementia, and the importance of community and advocacy in aging gracefully. They highlight the challenges and joys of navigating dementia within a traditional Chinese family and emphasize the need to break stigma and open up conversations.About Jacqueline Vong:Jacqueline is the Founder and President of Playology International, a Toronto-based licensing, marketing, and brand management agency. A mother of two energetic children, Serena (9) and Camilo (7), Jacqueline is also a caregiver to her mother, Olivia, affectionately known as “Glammah  As a member of the “sandwich generation,” Jacqueline balances the demands of entrepreneurship, motherhood, and caregiving while navigating her mother’s dementia and changing health needs. Raised in a traditional Chinese family, she brings a unique perspective on cultural expectations surrounding filial responsibility, aging, and caregiving. Through her family’s journey, she has become a passionate advocate for compassionate care, intergenerational connection, and honest conversations about the realities of supporting loved ones through life’s transitions especially in the East Asian society.About Olivia Vong (“Glammah”):Olivia is a beloved mother, grandmother, caregiver for her older sister and great source of strength and wisdom for her family. At almost 90 years old, she has lived a remarkable life, raising her family with resilience, determination, and deep love. Today, as she navigates dementia and age-related health challenges while living independently in a seniors residence, Olivia continues to bring joy, good fashion, and perspective to those around her. Our family calls these moments “glimmers”  Known affectionately as “Glammah” by her grandchildren Serena and Camilo, she remains a cherished presence in their lives. Her journey reflects both the challenges and the beauty of aging, and the importance of family, dignity, and connection across generations.Thank you to today’s sponsor, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. To learn more about AFTD please visit https://www.theaftd.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

In today’s episode, Jessica Guthrie shares her inspiring journey as a young Black caregiver for her mother with Alzheimer's for over a decade, highlighting the challenges, systemic issues, and the importance of advocacy, authenticity, and community support.About Jessica:Jessica C. Guthrie, M.Ed is a caregiving strategist, Alzheimer's advocate, and nationally recognized thought leader who has been the primary caregiver for her mother living with early-onset Alzheimer's disease for over 11 years. As a young, Black, millennial solo caregiver who began this journey at age 26, Jessica brings urgent visibility to demographics often overlooked in caregiving conversations. She is the founder of Jessica C. Guthrie Caregiving Consultancy and bridges lived caregiving experience with strategic leadership to help organizations move America's 63 million family caregivers from invisible to integral.Her expertise has been featured in PBS documentaries, major publications, and policy forums from the United Nations to Capitol Hill. Through speaking engagements, strategic consulting, and educational workshops, Jessica transforms how organizations support caregivers—ensuring they move from being an afterthought to becoming integral partners in care. Jessica believes caregivers deserve more than sympathy. They deserve systems that work.You can follow her journey on Instagram at Jessica_C_Guthrie or visit her website at JessicaCGuthrie.com.Thank you to today’s sponsor, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. To learn more about AFTD please visit https://www.theaftd.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

In this conversation, Rebekah Gold shares her profound journey as a young carer, detailing her experiences supporting her father with a rare mental health condition and her mother with disabilities. She discusses the complexities of caregiving, the normalization of her family's struggles, and the challenges of navigating her identity as a young carer. Rebekah emphasizes the importance of understanding and support for young carers and the need for better representation of their experiences in society. In this conversation, Rebekah Gold shares her experiences as a young caregiver, discussing the challenges of communication during psychosis, the dynamics within her family, and the emotional toll of caregiving. She emphasizes the importance of advocacy for young carers and the need for systemic change to support them better. Rebekah also reflects on her struggles to seek mental health support and the complexities of her role within her family, highlighting the need for understanding and compassion in caregiving situations.About Rebekah:Rebekah Gold is a PhD candidate in Child and Youth Studies at Brock University. Her research is grounded in critical, participatory, and arts-based collaboration with young carers and their families, informed by her own lived wisdom as a young carer and advocate. Her community-based research work sits at the intersection of critical mental health, critical childhood studies, critical disability studies, storytelling, and care work. She is the Co-founder and National Council Lead of the Young Caregiver Council of Canada, an advocacy community of young carers across Canada, and a Research Affiliate at the Young Caregivers Association.Young Caregivers Association: https://youngcaregivers.ca/Caregiver Grief Connexion: https://caregivergrief.com/Thank you to today’s sponsor, The Association for Frontotemporal Dementia. To learn more about AFTD please visit https://www.theaftd.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 are back for season 6!!! In this episode Stephanie sets the stage for the season to come and reflects on the past 5 years of Caregiver’s Compass.*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

5) Episode 121: From caring for her mom with frontotemporal dementia, to creating a film and advocating to normalize the caregiving experience, with Katie Prentiss  4) Episode 136 : The Statistics Behind Caregiver Mental Health: You’re Not Alone  3) Episode 120: Guilt about moving someone to a facility when you promised them you would always keep them at ‘home’, with Susanne White 2) Episode 123: Talking all about ANGER and resentment in caregiving 1) Episode 128: All about the Association of Frontal Temporal Degeneration (AFTD) including what they do, who they help, and where they hope to go next, with Esther Kane and Debbie Elkins We truly hope you enjoyed this season and we cannot wait to see you back here for season 6.*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

On today’s episode, we are elated to welcome Renee Reina, host of The Mom Room podcast (@themomroom) and content creator, to discuss her experience navigating care for her son Milo while experiencing her father’s cancer diagnosis and passing in early 2025. She very openly talks about learning about her father’s decision for Medical Assistance in Dying and experiencing the MAID process with him and as a parent of a young child. About Renee Reina:Renee Reina is the host of The Mom Room podcast (@themomroom), where she brings humour, honesty, and some sarcasm to conversations about motherhood, marriage, and modern life. Beyond the mic, she also creates relatable content that resonates with women everywhere on her personal account @thereneereina. She lives with her husband, their seven-year-old son, and two adorable Pomeranians in Ontario. *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

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