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About Denise Brown
Denise supports individuals managing difficult life experiences with coaching, planning and training. Through her work, Denise helps clients find hope, possibilities and a path forward.
Denise began helping individuals who care for a family member in 1990 and launched a business to help them in 1995. She created one of the first online caregiving communities in 1996 which she managed until its sale in 2020.
Denise now develops and delivers training programs for the workplace and for individuals who want to coach family caregivers. More than 400 individuals from eight different countries have enrolled in her training programs offered through her company, The Caregiving Years Training Academy. Her training programs have been approved to provide Continuing Education Units to health care professionals, including nurses, and to human resource professionals.
Where to find Denise
Contact:
- Email: denise@careyearsacademy.com
- Phone: 773-343-6341
Links:
The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/these-self-care-strategies-can-help-caregivers-cope-with-burnout-11640782803?st=37dob9tjnjt4tke&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
Denise’s Books: http://bit.ly/caringbooks
Caregiving Reflections, a weekly newsletter: https://denisebrown.substack.com/archive
Caring Our Way: https://join.caringourway.com/
The Caregiving Years Training Academy: https://www.careyearsacademy.com
Show Notes
Denise Brown details her extensive caregiving journey that began in 1990 and became more intense in 2004 when she started caring for her father with bladder cancer, followed by her mother with Parkinson’s until their deaths in 2022 and 2023. The text reflects on the emotional impact of her brother’s sudden death in 2021 and the subsequent challenges faced by his widow. Denise discusses the discomfort surrounding questions about the cause of death and emphasizes honoring a person’s life over focusing on their death.
This episode explores the emotional difficulties of unexpected deaths, the pain experienced by the deceased, and the unpredictability of life. Denise recounts her father’s cancer treatment, her mother’s illness, and the resulting strain on family dynamics. She expresses feelings of heartbreak, burnout, and frustration, particularly with her sister’s withdrawal from caregiving roles and feeling overlooked during medical appointments. Issues such as managing her father’s ostomy bag and inadequate guidance from healthcare professionals highlight the need for caregiver advocacy.
Denise underscores the vital role of caregivers, noting their extensive knowledge and expertise in managing loved ones’ conditions. She discusses the emotional toll of connecting with appropriate medical professionals and introduces the concept of caregivers having a “PhD in their care.” The text also addresses the unrealistic responsibilities placed on caregivers and the significance of self-care.
This episode highlights the daily struggles of caregivers, including navigating multiple systems and the lack of support and resources. It mentions a growing movement to address family caregiving issues, with anticipated improvements such as new Medicare services in 2024 for caregiver support. The discussion also covers the slow progress in addressing challenges faced by unpaid family caregivers, the lack of compensation, and the proposal of a universal basic income as a potential solution. The text emphasizes the pressures caregivers face, the importance of flexible work arrangements, and initiatives aimed at supporting caregivers, such as workshops and community support programs. The importance of self-care and effective communication of needs among caregivers is highlighted throughout.
Your Host – Shelly Drymon
My mission is to empower and inspire women to embrace their life transitions as opportunities for wellness, growth, and self-discovery and live their lives with clarity, purpose, and joy. Committed to honesty, integrity, and authenticity, I lead by example, showing that it’s never too late to live a life you love.
