Balancing Life as a Young Carer with Ashley Bendiksen - Caregiver Spotlight

Balancing Life as a Young Carer with Ashley Bendiksen - Caregiver Spotlight

Author: Elizabeth Miller Featured on The Whole Care Network June 14, 2023 Duration: 49:39

Ashley Bendiksen cared for her mom who developed early onset Alzheimer’s. She chronicled her 8 year caregiving journey in her memoir The Language of Time which originated from her personal journals. Ashley served as Chairwoman of her local Walk to End Alzheimer's where nearly $500K was raised for Alzheimer's research. She also testified for the successful passage of a law in her home state of Massachusetts. Ashley is also passionate about additional topics. She is a national speaker on domestic and sexual violence prevention, resilience, and mental health.


In this episode we talk about how Ashley balanced caregiving while still living her life as a young person in her twenties, we learn why Ashley is grateful for the time caring for her mom, the respect she gained from invisible labor that moms do, why dating herself and traveling solo recharges her, and how she is using her experiences to help others.


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Juggling the needs of aging parents or other family members with your career, your children, and your own aspirations can feel like an endless, solitary marathon. Happy Healthy Caregiver is a space dedicated to those navigating this complex reality, offering genuine conversation and practical strategies for sustaining your own well-being alongside your caregiving duties. Host Elizabeth Miller, a Certified Caregiving Consultant featured on The Whole Care Network, brings both personal experience and professional insight to each episode. She doesn’t just share her own stories; she creates dialogues with other family caregivers, exploring how they carve out moments for fitness, mental clarity, and personal joy amidst their responsibilities. Tuning into this podcast, you’ll hear honest discussions about setting boundaries, managing stress, and redefining what health and happiness look like during a demanding chapter of life. It’s a resource that acknowledges the weight of your role while providing tangible ideas to help you carry it, reminding you that caring for yourself isn’t a distraction from your duties-it’s what makes them sustainable.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Happy Healthy Caregiver
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