Bridging Barriers with Dr. Kimberly Fraser

Hello, and welcome to another episode of Living and Loving Each Day: Bridging Barriers. I'm your host, Sue Janzen, and I'm thrilled you've joined us in this community dedicated to transforming barriers into opportunities for growth.

Today, we are honored to have Dr. Kimberly Fraser as our guest. Dr. Fraser is a champion of family caregiving—a nursing professor, an author, and a true advocate for turning caregiving from an overwhelming task into a purposeful journey. Her expertise lies in family caregiving, home care, case management, and health policies, making her a perfect fit for our audience, especially parents and adults with adaptive needs.

The Accidental Caregiver

Dr. Fraser's journey into authorship began with her passion for supporting family caregivers. Her book, "The Accidental Caregiver," offers practical guidance and heartfelt insights. It captures her career's worth of wisdom, providing invaluable support for caregivers navigating unexpected challenges.

From Academic to Author

Transitioning from a tenured nursing professor to a full-time author, Dr. Fraser aimed to reach caregivers directly, creating accessible, research-based materials. Her work includes not just books but also workshops and one-on-one guidance, aiming to empower caregivers with the knowledge they desperately need.

A Multifaceted Approach to Caregiving

In our conversation, Dr. Fraser emphasized the diversity of caregiving scenarios. Caregiving isn't just about the elderly; it's about supporting anyone in need, including children with significant medical needs. She stresses the importance of personalized care, advocating for robust home health care programs and a variety of living arrangements to suit different needs.

Self-Care for Caregivers

Dr. Fraser is currently working on a new book focused on self-care for caregivers. This upcoming work will serve as a journaling aid, filled with affirmations and inspirational content to support caregivers in maintaining their well-being while managing their responsibilities.

Advocacy and System Navigation

A critical part of caregiving is navigating the healthcare system effectively. Dr. Fraser highlighted the importance of clear communication and advocacy, ensuring that caregivers can articulate their needs and understand the available services to support both themselves and their loved ones.

The Future of Caregiving

Looking ahead, Dr. Fraser is concerned with the increasing number of caregivers required as our population ages. She advocates for societal shifts in how we support caregiving, stressing the need for a variety of supports that reflect the diverse needs of caregivers across different scenarios.

Conclusion

Our conversation with Dr. Kimberly Fraser was enlightening, emphasizing that while caregiving can be accidental, with the right support and information, it can also be an intentional, empowering journey. For anyone involved in or embarking on a caregiving journey, Dr. Fraser's insights are invaluable.

Thank you for tuning in today. For more information on Dr. Fraser’s work and to connect with resources that can aid your caregiving journey, check out the links in our show notes. Join us next time as we continue to explore ways to bridge barriers and transform them into stepping stones for growth.

With Love and Light and resilience 💛
Sue Janzen