Rayna Neises understands the joys and challenges that come from a season of caring. She helped care for both of her parents during their separate battles with Alzheimer’s over a thirty-year span. She is able to look back on those days now with no regrets – and she wishes the same for everyone caring for Aging parents.
Rayna is the author of No Regrets: Hope for Your Caregiving Season, an ICF certified coach, the host of “A Season of Caring” podcast, Positive Approach® to Care (PAC)Independent Certified Trainer and speaker who is passionate about offering encouragement, support, and resources for regret-free caring aimed at preventing family caregivers from aimlessly wandering through this important season of life.
Rayna lives on a farm in southeast Kansas with her husband, Ron, and small pack of adorable dogs. She is the baby of her family, but most would never guess that. She is a former teacher who enjoys crafts of all kinds and spending time with her grandkids most of all.
Books Authored By Rayna Neises
Recent Content
Cindy Morton-Egger takes us on an emotional journey through her nearly 40-year experience as a caregiver, sharing insights that resonate with anyone who is navigating the complexities of caring for lo…
Cindy Morton-Egger t…
Cindy Morton-Egger takes us on an emotional journey through her nearly 40-year experience as a caregiver, sharing insights that resonate with anyone who is navigating the complexities of caring for loved ones. Through her stories, Cindy opens up about the trials she faced while caring for her mother, particularly during the turbulent period following a family divorce and the loss of her brother. Her narrative is a moving testament to resilience and the unexpected blessings found in times of adversity. From confronting the challenges of her mother's COPD to finding strength in her bond wit…
Discover the heartwarming and challenging journey of Tracee Loran, a New York City-based writer, actress, and producer, who beautifully balances her vibrant city life with the profound responsibility …
Discover the heartwa…
Discover the heartwarming and challenging journey of Tracee Loran, a New York City-based writer, actress, and producer, who beautifully balances her vibrant city life with the profound responsibility of caring for her 97-year-old grandmother in Mississippi. Tracee's story is rich with insights on the evolving dynamics of caregiving, as she and her mother alternate six-month shifts to support her beloved grandmother. Our conversation shines a light on the depth of their bond and the significance of truly cherishing the moments spent together, emphasizing family love and resilience.Tracee s…
Imagine taking on the profound responsibility of caregiving in your mid-20s, facing the daunting challenges of supporting loved ones through Cancer, Alzheimer's, and Mental Health struggles. That…
Imagine taking on th…
Imagine taking on the profound responsibility of caregiving in your mid-20s, facing the daunting challenges of supporting loved ones through cancer, Alzheimer's, and mental health struggles. That's exactly what Debra Lee did, and in our latest episode, she shares the heartwarming and sometimes heart-wrenching experiences of her caregiving journey. From the delicate art of balancing safety with autonomy, to the unexpected joys that illuminate the path, Debra's story is a testament to resilience and the power of family support. As she opens up about her father's passing and f…
What if letting go of expectations could bring you peace and resilience during the most challenging times? Join us as we explore this concept with Lani Almanza, who has navigated an extensive caregivi…
What if letting go o…
What if letting go of expectations could bring you peace and resilience during the most challenging times? Join us as we explore this concept with Lani Almanza, who has navigated an extensive caregiving journey—from caring for her son who passed from a brain tumor to caring for her parents. Lani’s heartfelt story offers invaluable insights into the emotional and physical demands of caregiving, emphasizing the importance of self-care and practical tools that can make a world of difference.We also dive into the emotional complexities of long-term caregiving. How do Relationships evolve, an…
What if you were suddenly tasked with balancing the care of your aging parents, your spouse, and your children all at once? Join us as we unravel the compelling story of Ruthie Gray, from hospital vis…
What if you were sud…
What if you were suddenly tasked with balancing the care of your aging parents, your spouse, and your children all at once? Join us as we unravel the compelling story of Ruthie Gray, from hospital visits to homeschooling her daughters, Ruthie’s unwavering faith and resilience transformed her into the primary advocate for her family's medical needs. Her journey is a testament to the power of love, determination, and the human spirit in the face of adversity.In this episode, Ruthie also delves into the essential support systems that allowed her to find balance amidst her caregiving duties…
In this episode of 'A Season of Caring Podcast,' host Rayna Neises interviews Mark Applegate, a family caregiver with a passion for supporting those affected by dementia. Mark shares his exp…
In this episode of &…
In this episode of 'A Season of Caring Podcast,' host Rayna Neises interviews Mark Applegate, a family caregiver with a passion for supporting those affected by dementia. Mark shares his experiences caring for his mother, who battled dementia for 14 years, offering poignant stories and insights into the ups and downs of caregiving. They discuss dealing with genetic predispositions, the surprises and challenges of dementia care, and the importance of community and spiritual connection. Mark also talks about the therapeutic benefit he found in documenting his journey through his blog,…
Can caregiving transform your spiritual life? This heartfelt episode of A Season of Caring Podcast Rayna Nieses introduces Robyn Horn, a devoted caregiver who has walked the path of caring for her gra…
Can caregiving trans…
Can caregiving transform your spiritual life? This heartfelt episode of A Season of Caring Podcast Rayna Nieses introduces Robyn Horn, a devoted caregiver who has walked the path of caring for her grandfather, father, mother, and in-laws. With a strong foundation in geriatric care and deep Christian faith, Robyn opens up about the sacredness and ministry of caregiving. She shares how being there for her loved ones in their final moments has led to profound emotional and spiritual Growth. Discover the inspiration behind her book, "Transforming the Mundane into Sacred: Spirituality and Caregivin…
What happens when a speech pathologist finds herself in the shoes of a caregiver for her own parents, facing the trials of cancer and Alzheimer's disease? Susan Stern, who transitioned from a car…
What happens when a …
What happens when a speech pathologist finds herself in the shoes of a caregiver for her own parents, facing the trials of cancer and Alzheimer's disease? Susan Stern, who transitioned from a career in medical speech pathology to becoming a board-certified life coach, shares her deeply personal and transformative journey through the stages of caregiving. You'll hear about the heart-wrenching yet spiritually uplifting experiences of moving her parents from independent living to various care facilities, and how her faith and resilience were tested and strengthened. Susan offers raw, un…
Imagine navigating the labyrinth of caregiving while maintaining a heartfelt bond with a loved one who has dementia. That's the journey CherylAnn Haley takes us on in this poignant episode, as sh…
Imagine navigating t…
Imagine navigating the labyrinth of caregiving while maintaining a heartfelt bond with a loved one who has dementia. That's the journey CherylAnn Haley takes us on in this poignant episode, as she shares her deeply personal experiences caring for her mother, Sandy, who has vascular dementia. From the tough decision to place Sandy in a care facility during the pandemic to the small yet significant choices that shape their daily life, CherylAnn's story is a testament to resilience and love. She opens up about how she shifted her focus from mere caregiving tasks to creating meaningful e…
Join us as Lizette shares her unique journey, blending heartfelt personal stories and professional insights, including a charming anecdote about orchestrating her mother’s mobility during an eye doc…
Join us as Lizette s…
Join us as Lizette shares her unique journey, blending heartfelt personal stories and professional insights, including a charming anecdote about orchestrating her mother’s mobility during an eye doctor appointment. Lizette Cloete, an experienced occupational therapist who found herself navigating the complexities of caring for both of her parents. Lizette's mother experienced cognitive impairments due to strokes, while her father's cognitive abilities rapidly declined following a COVID-19 infection. Discover the transformative power of mindset in caregiving through Lizette's …
When life handed Leah Stanley a caregiving role she never anticipated, it led her down a path filled with challenges, humor, and profound lessons. At twenty-nine, Leah's life took a sharp turn af…
When life handed Lea…
When life handed Leah Stanley a caregiving role she never anticipated, it led her down a path filled with challenges, humor, and profound lessons. At twenty-nine, Leah's life took a sharp turn after a phone call pulled back the curtain on her grandparents' struggles with dementia. She bravely stepped into the caregiver role, navigating the twists and turns of a disease that often feels like a maze without an exit. Through our candid conversation, you'll hear how Leah tackled the steep learning curve of dementia care and the ways in which maintaining dignity and purpose became he…
Dr. Sherry Yarbrough's voice joins mine in this episode to share her own poignant shift from daughter to caregiver as we unravel the complicated tapestry of caring for loved ones with Alzheimer&a…
Dr. Sherry Yarbrough…
Dr. Sherry Yarbrough's voice joins mine in this episode to share her own poignant shift from daughter to caregiver as we unravel the complicated tapestry of caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's. Together, we tackle the emotional hurdles of diagnosis and the profound responsibilities that caregivers embrace, balancing self-care with the selfless task of attending to those who once tended to us. Dr. Yarbrough's touching recollection of her mother's lucid moments on a beach trip serves as a heartfelt reminder to cherish every fleeting connection.The conversation delves into …
When the unimaginable becomes your reality, where do you find the strength to move forward? Laura Atkins opens her heart to us, detailing the profound journey as a mother and caregiver to her son, Wya…
When the unimaginabl…
When the unimaginable becomes your reality, where do you find the strength to move forward? Laura Atkins opens her heart to us, detailing the profound journey as a mother and caregiver to her son, Wyatt, who bravely faced the trials of Coats-Plus syndrome. Through love-laced stories, Laura describes Wyatt's resilience in dealing with no diagnosis, the emotional toll of frequent hospitalizations, and relentless bone fractures. Her voice carries the weight of a mother's love and the unspoken bond of family as she reflects on the joy Wyatt brought to everyone around him, despite his own…
Imagine walking alongside someone with the strength to face a brain tumor diagnosis, heart attacks, and Stroke-like symptoms. Today, we're honored to have Diana Derringer join us, sharing her tra…
Imagine walking alon…
Imagine walking alongside someone with the strength to face a brain tumor diagnosis, heart attacks, and stroke-like symptoms. Today, we're honored to have Diana Derringer join us, sharing her transformative journey as a caregiver, filled with resilience, adaptability, and Wisdom. As Diana recounts the complexities of managing memory issues and fatigue, you'll be moved by the reality of what it means to find a new normal after each health crisis. Her narrative is a testament to the power of a strong support system and the remarkable ability to continuously adjust and thrive despite li…
Steve Powell's story is a beautiful example of how love and necessity can spark Innovation. Rayna Neises had the honor of discussing Steve's mission to create a world where the elderly and d…
Steve Powell's …
Steve Powell's story is a beautiful example of how love and necessity can spark innovation. Rayna Neises had the honor of discussing Steve's mission to create a world where the elderly and disabled can rise with dignity. His invention was born from witnessing his own parents' struggles, a challenge he met with a blend of compassion and creativity.Steve Powell recounts the painful reality of his parents' frequent falls and inability to get up on their own due to health issues and its impact. Driven by a divine nudge and his parents' plight, Steve, a creative technolog…
Navigating the complex currents of caregiving from afar, our guest Liuda, a retired pharmacist with a heart as vast as her experience, invites us into her world of love, loss, and devotion. She talks …
Navigating the compl…
Navigating the complex currents of caregiving from afar, our guest Liuda, a retired pharmacist with a heart as vast as her experience, invites us into her world of love, loss, and devotion. She talks about the emotional challenges of taking care of family members who are far away. Liuda shares personal stories of her father's passing, dealing with dementia, and inheriting the care of her brother who lives with a traumatic brain injury. Through her stories, she shines a light on the difficulties faced by long-distance caregivers.This conversation isn't just about the hurdles; it&a…
Terri Liggins' journey from Las Vegas back home to Columbus, Ohio, was not just a change in location, but the start of her caregiving story that she passionately shares with us on the Season of C…
Terri Liggins' …
Terri Liggins' journey from Las Vegas back home to Columbus, Ohio, was not just a change in location, but the start of her caregiving story that she passionately shares with us on the Season of Caring podcast. Losing her father, taking care of her mother, and dealing with life during a global pandemic is a story that many of us can relate to. Terri openly shares the challenges and unexpected blessings of caring for a loved one, giving listeners a heartfelt look into the realities of preparing for life's uncertainties.Terri recounts her and her mom's transformation by the remarka…
Experience the courageous story of Yolanda Lucas as she fearlessly shares her heartfelt journey of providing care for her mother for 15 years. Her path has taken her from the sidelines of support to…
Experience the coura…
Experience the courageous story of Yolanda Lucas as she fearlessly shares her heartfelt journey of providing care for her mother for 15 years. Her path has taken her from the sidelines of support to the forefront of advocacy in the intricate realm of medical care. We talk about how caregiving can reveal personal growth, resilience, and strong family connections. We learn about Yolanda's life, which has been full of challenges, successes, and meaningful moments. In this soul-stirring episode, we also unwrap the wisdom discovered by Yolanda as she opens up about the profound moments of d…