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PODCAST

Island Treasures

Alison van Schie

Island Treasures began as a platform for caregivers with its guests sharing their stories to encourage, provide insights, and resources to support those in the midst of caregiving. With over 100 heartfelt episodes, it reminded caregivers they were not alone, as it uplifted voices of wisdom, empowerment, and compassion. In October 2025 Island Treasures enters a new chapter.This relaunched season explores life after caregiving—the transitions, transformations, and moments that follow with former

society & culture relationships

All Episodes

47:35

Grief, Grit, and Growth: A Caregiver’s Guide to...

Island Treasures ·

2025/11/23

In our first full episode since the relaunch, we sit down with former caregiver, Licia Thompson-Young, who shares what it means to grow forward with intention after caregiving. From stepping beyond her comfort zone to embracing the unknown in unfamiliar environments, she reveals how healing began when she allowed herself to feel — and how grief, once buried, found release in her HIIT (High-intensity interval training) workouts at the gym. This is a story of courage, change, and the quiet powe...

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9:24

Life After Caregiving: Finding Your Footing

Island Treasures ·

2025/10/23

When caregiving ends, it can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff—grief, uncertainty, and a quiet question echoing: “What now?” In this heartfelt episode of Island Treasures, we explore the transition from active caregiving to life beyond the role. Whether your caregiving journey spanned years - or months, the ending often brings a profound shift in identity, routine, and emotional landscape. In this episode we talk about the “treasuring” phase of caregiving, where former caregivers are ...

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0:57

Island Treasures Relaunch 2025

Island Treasures ·

2025/10/06

After six seasons, Island Treasures returns with a fresh focus. We’ve rebranded to explore life after caregiving—the stories, reflections, and quiet renewals. This new season shines a light on what follows caregiving, because that matters. You’ll hear candid conversations with former caregivers, offering insight, hope, and the kind of connection that helps us move forward. And in addition to these heartfelt episodes, we’ll occasionally celebrate the treasures of Vancouver Island itself—after ...

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5:45

Island Treasures Podcast: Change is A-Coming!

Island Treasures ·

2025/06/06

Island Treasures Podcast is taking a short break from publishing new episodes to reflect and seek future direction! Over the past six seasons, we've explored the many facets of caregiving, sharing insightful conversations and meaningful stories. While our existing content will remain available for you to revisit anytime, we feel it may be time to venture into new territory. We look back over the life of the podcast thus far as its focus has been on caregiving, with exceptional guests - many c...

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8:06

Island Treasures Mini Podcast: No Regrets

Island Treasures ·

2025/05/09

A central theme of the full podcast episode with Rayna Neises, called "Rayna's Caregiving Wisdom: No Regrets and Cherished Memories" was how to have no regrets when caregiving. After 26 years of caregiving during which Rayna completed her training to become a certified coach, Rayna shares what enabled her to be able to look back on her caregiving experience and say she has no regrets. We review how to define regrets, what it means to embrace a growth mindset, and we hear what questions...

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53:04

Rayna’s Caregiving Wisdom: No Regrets and Cherished...

Island Treasures ·

2025/05/02

In this episode we are joined by Rayna Neises for an enlightening conversation about her extensive caregiving journey. Rayna is a dedicated Caregiving Coach, author, and advocate for family caregivers. With a heart deeply rooted in faith, Rayna has transformed her caregiving experiences into a mission to support others navigating the challenging path of caregiving. She was introduced to caregiving as a teenager, caring first for her mom who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and later for ...

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8:45

Island Treasures Mini Podcast: A Dementia Companion

Island Treasures ·

2025/04/11

This mini episode highlights key points from “Creating Connections with a Dementia Companion” featuring Gina Awad. Gina, who studied Dementia as part of her Health and Social Care degree, is a valuable resource for those living with dementia and their caregivers. She noticed common themes like fear and system navigation during her early information sessions. Recognizing the need for clear guidance after a dementia diagnosis, Gina emphasized the importance of discussing dementia and providing ...

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58:52

Meaningful Connections with a Dementia Companion

Island Treasures ·

2025/04/04

Gina Awad's heartfelt journey into dementia caregiving began with her childhood visits to care homes, sparking a lifelong mission to support families navigating this challenging landscape. She studied Dementia as part of her Health and Social Care degree in 2011 to further explore the challenges and realities of dementia. As a dedicated advocate, she shares her path from those early impressions to becoming a dementia champion, highlighting the emotional and social challenges both caregivers a...

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8:20

Island Treasures: Thinking Ahead with Betsy Haddad

Island Treasures ·

2025/03/14

This mini episode visits a few of the key takeaways Betsy Haddad shared with the listeners in the full episode "Thinking Ahead about Alzheimer's and Care Needs with Betsy Haddad". Since her caregiving experience she has become an activist and wanted to share about: Why she became an activist?Hybrid Long Term Care InsuranceClinical TrialsBlood Test to Detect Protein related to dementia.As an activist, Betsy not only talks about dementia, but she is also proud to be part of the science. "...

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56:04

Thinking Ahead About Alzheimer's and Care Needs with...

Island Treasures ·

2025/03/07

Betsy Haddad has returned to the podcast to share some exciting news on the fight against Alzheimer's Disease. Since the passing of her beloved dad, Edward, Betsy has had time to reflect on his suffering and that has channeled her grief into activism in the fight against the disease. Betsy is a member of Generation X and she grew up in the era of 80's music. She has two wonderful adult sons who are the light of her life. In her spare time, Betsy loves to sing - perform...

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8:07

Geri-Gadgets®

Island Treasures ·

2025/02/14

Angela Fairhurst demonstrates the 3 Geri-Gadgets ® buckets that, as an entrepeneur she designed and created to enhance the lives of folks living with dementia. There's the Fidget-Gadget ® bucket, the Shapes bucket and the Flower bucket. Each bucket has its own unique contents to bring activity, joy and engagement to your loved one. "Click Here to Leave a Comment"

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45:43

A Caregiver's Innovative Creation

Island Treasures ·

2025/02/07

Angela Fairhurst was the primary caregiver for her mom who after a misdiagnosis and several different medications was eventually diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. Angela's passion to find engaging activities for her mom led her to create Geri-Gadgets® and as the founder and CEO of Geri-Gadgets®, she is dedicated to enhancing the lives of those affected by dementia. Angela has over 25 years of experience as a non-fiction television producer and journalist through Fairhurst Productions...

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19:47

Island Treasures 'Treasure Chest' with Judy Cornish

Island Treasures ·

2025/01/17

Another 'Island Treasures Treasure Chest' bonus episode. In this episode we revisit "Skills Retained: Strengths-Based Approach to Dementia Care" Season 2, Episode 13 featuring Judy Cornish.Judy Cornish is the founder of the DAWN Method - a strengths-based approach to dementia care. From the treasure chest we hear about two sets of thinking skills: the sensory and the rational thinking skills. We examine dementia through the lens of the disease or medical model and compare th...

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7:56

Island Treasures Mini Podcast: Caregiver Respite

Island Treasures ·

2025/01/10

Rebekah Dowhy, grew up being the caregiver for her mom. Through her caregiving life she learned the importance of support. She describes the rare opportunity she had to experience the joy that came with taking a break. A break that to many would be taken for granted, as she was able to join her classmates for an outing. Rebekah's take on this outing was that it felt like a vacation. Learning the power of taking a break from such a young age, Rebekah created ...

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55:33

Normal Life Plus Caregiving

Island Treasures ·

2025/01/03

This episode offers valuable insights to both caregivers and non-caregivers, featuring valuable tips from Rebekah Dowhy for those who aren't caregivers but want to lend a hand.Rebekah's journey into caregiving began at birth, as her mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis the same year she was born. Growing up, Rebekah, along with her dad, took care of her mom. Through this experience, she learned the critical importance of support and the need for respite breaks. (You’ll hear how for Re...

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4:42

Island Treasures 2024 Podcast Title Story

Island Treasures ·

2024/12/20

This mini episode contains a fictional short story that combines the titles from the full episodes of the Island Treasures podcast that aired throughout 2024. The story encompasses the various aspects of caregiving mentioned in the titles, highlighting the emotional journey, the obstacles, and the victories along the way. As we wrap up 2024 I wish to publicly thank all the guests who have so willingly and selflessly shared their stories on this platform, and helped so many caregive...

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9:16

Island Treasures Mini Podcast: Two Poems from Sarah...

Island Treasures ·

2024/12/13

In the full episode entitled "Roadblocks and Signposts for Caregivers", Sarah Merriman talked about her poetry and reminiscence sessions for people living with dementia; and that she is a poet herself! Sarah was willing to share two of her heart-felt poems in this mini episode. The first is called "Dad". It is a loving tribute to her father who was a single father. Sarah tells us about the backstory of the relationship She had with her father and with her Nana and why ...

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58:12

Roadblocks and Signposts for Caregivers

Island Treasures ·

2024/12/06

Sarah Merriman joins this episode straight from the United Kingdom. Sarah was the primary caregiver for her Nana for seven years. Her grandmother experienced cognitive deficits and despite Sarah's attempts to have her assessed, her grandma was resistant.Sarah was a sandwich-generation caregiver, feeling torn by being pulled in so many different directions. Sarah now recognizes how that impacted not only her, but her family, her job and her grandmother. The toll it took...

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8:27

Island Treasures 'Treasure Chest' with Loretta Veney

Island Treasures ·

2024/11/15

Loretta Veney is a LEGO Serious Play Instructor and she was able to find effective ways to incorporate LEGO into caregiving for her mom who was living with dementia. You can hear all about Loretta's journey as a caregiver in the full podcast episode titled "Building the Unbreakable Caregiver" from Season 3 of the Island Treasures Podcast.In this Treasure Chest segment you will hear how using LEGO as a communication tool can be effective. When Loretta's mom was unable to express in...

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7:53

Island Treasures Mini Podcast: In the Company of Angels

Island Treasures ·

2024/11/08

Have you heard a caregiver referred to as an angel? This mini episode features a clip from the Caregiver Warrior, Susanne White describing how when she's in the company of caregivers she feels the space is sacred. Susanne paints great word pictures and this one certainly conveys the respect, and appreciation she has for caregivers.We also hear a clip about caregiver warriors! We talk about how the attributes of a warrior also apply to caregivers. Their tenacious spirit and c...

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122 results

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