1. Leaning Into Love and Respite for Compassion Fatigue Rayna Neises 16:29

Rayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on her interview last week with Dr. Ed Smink (Episode 137).  Dr. Ed shared his personal experience with burnout and how important it is to be aware of compassion fatigue. Rayna continues the conversation with tips on how leaning into love and respite can help overcome this condition for family caregivers:

  • [1:06]  Compassion fatigue is described as a condition characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion, leading to a diminished ability to empathize or feel compassion for others.
  • [6:27]  What would happen if you wrapped him in a hug and told him you loved him
  • [9:00]  Leaning into love is one of the things you can do when you begin to focus on the task more than the person.
  • [11:40]  Finding respite at home:
    • [11:47]  Identify roadblocks.
    • [12:36]  Ask for help.
    • [13:42]  Brainstorm ideas.
    • [14:32]  Do it!
  • [15:01]  True compassion fatigue will take more than a little respite, but start small and explore what you can do to re-energize.
  • [15:45]  This episode is brought to you by the Encouragement Series, a special gift coming in November.  Visit www.EncouragementSeries.com to sign up to learn more about this faith-based series that will offer you hope in this difficult season.  
Rayna Neises A Season of Caring

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.