Birthday Wishes for First Lady Rosalynn Carter & National Wellness Month: Buddies, Books, the Beach and How to Beat Caregiver Burnout

August is National Wellness Month and on August 18 we celebrate the 95th birthday of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter! Sherri dug into her interview archives and shares an interview with Mrs. Carter from 2012 that still resonates today. They talk about caregiver burnout (something Mrs. Carter was the first national figure to identify and advocate for more caregiver help), how Mrs. Carter finds her Me Time and the wonderful work of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers at Georgia Southwestern University that she founded and her work with her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, at The Carter Center. Sherri has also included her interview with Mrs. Carter for PBS Next Avenue below and you can read more of Mrs. Carter’s caregiving story in Sherri’s book, A Cast of Caregivers.

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Sherri also interviews Tia Newcomer, CEO of CaringBridge, about the need for caregivers to have social support. CaringBridge, which was founded almost 25 years ago, helps facilitate the opportunity for caregivers to get a respite break with a little help from family and friends as we also celebrate National Friendship Day on August 8 and National Relaxation Day on August 15.

Caregiver Wellness News

For Caregiver Wellness News, Sherri talks about ways to find both paid and free respite support (see article and resource links below). She also talks about the power of friendships to support our health and wellness and an interesting new study on how surprising a friend from long ago can bring emotional wellness to both people. Read the article from the news on the “Today Show” below.

Pop Culture

For our Pop Culture segment, Sherri shares her beach reads for caregivers in recognition of National Booklovers Day on August 9 and National Beach Day on August 30. You can also check out the Caregiving Club Booklovers Reading List with our pics of great reads for caregivers.

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Well Home Design News

For our Well Home Design News, Sherri shares exciting news about Pottery Barn’s new Accessible Home line and how to stay cool and keep loved ones hydrated for summer.

Me Time Monday Wellness Hack

As always, we end our episode with our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack honors Mrs. Carter’s work on caregiver burnout by offering tips for caregivers on finding better balance and wellness. It’s all part of Sherri’s upcoming book, “Me Time Monday – The Weekly Wellness Edit for a Wonderful Life.”

RESOURCE LINKS

Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers

CaringBridge

ARCH National Respite Network – find resources to get local respite care services

UsAging – find resources to get respite care help and find respitality stays

Sherri’s articles related to this episode

Rosalynn Carter – A Pioneering Caregiving Advocate Says More Must be Done – Sherri’s interview with Mrs. Carter for PBS Next Avenue 

9 Ways Caregivers Can Get a Free Respite Break – Sherri’s article for PBS Next Avenue 

How family caregivers can use a Monday routine to reset self-care – Sherri’s article for Considerable

How Mondays Can Help Caregivers to Overcome Loneliness and Improve Health – Sherri’s article for Epoch Times

Today.com – Don’t assume that old friend doesn’t want to hear from you, new study finds