Resonance for Caregivers: A Network of Empathy.
Articles and resources written by Carer Mentor and Other Substack Publications.
Here’s the Table of Contents for this page:
Carer Mentor Website publications.
Other Publications and Authors (recommended or noted in articles).
The Carer Mentor Website
Please be on the lookout for 'Resources, Commentary, Poems, Quotes and Personal Reflections' as titles in future posts.
This is an index of articles grouped by type. (NB. Some are now archived). You may find that some articles have changed slightly to update the content.
Key Highlights February - April 2024:
'Why does pursuing happiness, make us unhappy?’ Appreciating the messiness of now reflecting on joy. Shankar Vedantam interviews Dr Iris Mauss. Personal Reflections.
‘An Introduction to Caring Democracy’, by Prof. Joan C Tronto. Access Minnesota's Jim Dubois' Interview (July 15, 2014)
'Grief is messy. It's not a tidy five-stage path.' Shankar Vedantam interviews Lucy Hone (Public Health Resilience Researcher).
Personal Reflections and Resources: ‘Life Grows Around Grief’
Discussion Thread. Grief: The Individuality and Humanity of it all.
'A Prelude to Caregiving: Love and Torture.' A 2015 hospitalisation was only the beginning.
Resource: Managing the Mental Load. Understanding and Enabling Yourself.
The 18/10 Journal: A new series about the experience of living through 18 relocations across 10 Countries. Brussels: 'The Sixth and Sixteenth Relocation'.
Dementia, the unforgettable impact on caregivers' Dementia Awareness & Resources. Guides for carers and documentaries.
Dementia: 'Some ideas of what to do when...' Several informative videos from Dementia UK
‘Music Memory is more powerful than words.’ This is one of my favourite publications. A collection of meaningful music memories.
Resources
Recommendation: Emily Kenway's 'Who Cares: The hidden crisis of caregiving and how we solve it' (The Book was Published April 2023)
Love and Caregiving go Hand in Hand Emily Kenway Interview on Amanpour and Company June 5 2023.
Resource: Megan Devine's 'How do you help a grieving friend?' Refuge in Grief Website & Book
Resource: 'RSA Animation of Brené Brown's Connecting with Empathy' Video Animation
Resource: 'Dr. Brené Brown: The Power of Vulnerability' June 2010 the TEDxHouston talk that went viral. (Now 63 million views). Human connection, empathy, belonging and love. Video
Resource: 'Dr Brené Brown's TED Talk: Listening to shame' March 2012 TED talk. Video and Book recommendation
Resource: 'Dr. Lucy Hone's TED Talk 'The Three Secrets of Resilient People.' September 25, 2019. A powerful video, strikes a chord
Resource: 'Dr. Susan David's TedTalk 'The Gift and Power of Emotional Agility.' November 2017. 6 years ago, this was a gift to see and to feel seen. 'Sawubona'. Video and Book
Resource: Susan David's Concept of 'Stepping Out' Oct 29, 2016 2-minute video.
Resource: 'Enabler Tools for a Carer's Journey' Part 1: The Ten books I recommend
Useful links for advice, info and ideas. Carers organisation, discussion forums, news, everyday support
Entertainment: Music, Podcasts.
Resource: 'Musical therapy. What's your Anthem?'Music translates our feelings and thoughts, without us talking.
Recommendation: My Unsung Hero Shankar Verdantam’s Hidden Brain’s Podcast ‘My Unsung Hero’
Commentary, Personal Reflections.
Resource: Carers UK Intro to Caring. Video for UK Carers by Carers UK. You may be eligible for more support than you know. You have rights.
Resource: 'Five Home-aids' What works for us, may not work for you. Food for thought, not a promotion.
Personal reflection: 'Home-aids and Starting the Care Discussion' You can’t un-see risks once your lens has shifted.
Poems
Poem: 'The Eldercare Rollercoaster' The unpredictable emotional ride-along when your loved one's health has an Increased accelerated decline.
Poem: 'If I could..'A poem about translating Carer needs
Poem: 'Friends, I see you!' I wish you restorative sleep, moments of joy and peaceful calm.
Poem: 'We don't like the Hero-ing.' For carers empathy and listening are more powerful gifts of support than suggesting solutions- no matter how well-intentioned they may be.
Poem: 'Echoes in the Walls' Reconciling with grief over the festive period.
Poem: 'Unseen Champions of Care' Carers are defenders, advocates, and light-bringers.
Poem: 'Being there for a new Carer's angst.' Empathetic pains and reality bites.
Quotes & Personal Reflections
Personal Reflection: 'Grief, Love persevering' The painful threads within us.
Personal Reflection: 'Notes of Consonance.' For Caregivers about connecting to bring change.
Please note: I author this website because I have a fire and a conviction to advocate for those caregivers who cannot advocate for themselves, fuelled by my experience but mostly by those of others who are going through intense struggles today. I am acutely aware that MANY carers do not feel they have a choice in their caregiving role. Please remember my story is not representative of everyone.
Other Publications and Authors
'In Caring for aging parents, can we see assisted living as assisted loving?'. By
. Publication: 'Living in 3D: Divorce, Dementia and Destiny'.'The Long Goodbye. Navigating my parent's dementia, and my brain's attempt to let it consume me'. By
. Publication: 'Gen Xandwich''A Q&A with advocate and activist Ai-jen Poo on how to break the isolation of caregiving'. By
. Publication: 'Living in 3D: Divorce, Dementia and Destiny'.'Be Present and Dance with Grief. On moving forward when everything falls apart'. By
. Publication: 'Let's Just Be'‘An Invitation to Grieve Fearlessly. Grief can be frightening, but there is nothing to fear’. By
, PH.D. Publication: Dr. Amber_Writes’- Publication: ‘The Power of Change’
‘The calculus of connection and the PEG tube struggle.’ By
. Publication:’ Everything is an Emergency’.‘Supporting men with Breast Cancer Interview with Pat Washburn, January 2024’ (Podcast)
and . Publication: ‘After he said Cancer’.‘A Little Life List: When You're In The S***. Grace, Solace, and the Uncharted Mystery of Alzheimer's’. By
. Publication: ‘Confessions and Coffee’.‘Mindful Meditation. A method for reducing the effects of trauma, stress, and more’ By
, PhD. Publication: ‘DOCTALK’Learning to ask for help. Our "awkward, brave & kind" email and the response we received. By
‘Caring for the Caregiver’ A More Comprehensive Approach. By
at. See the two resources she recommends at the end of her article: The Family Caregiver Toolbox and the Caring Bridge‘The Juggle of Managing Two Households’ By Kerri at The Other Parenthood.
Making a Plan by
at Ageing Well News Her thoughts and learnings to help others who are caring.NEW!!! March 8. We do hard things. A Sandwich Season anniversary.
If you have an article related to a personal caregiving experience, please send me a Note or email me at vlchin@carermentor.com.
Remember: Caregiving is not ‘just’ about full-time care support; it’s any support you give to a friend or loved one in need..
While my personal focus is on elder care and my journey as a carer for my parents, I’d like to raise the awareness of ALL caregivers and those they care for.
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Thank you so much for adding my piece to this collection, Victoria!
What a wonderful resource. I will share with my friend who's friend lost her husband suddenly. Thank you