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Hi, I'm Shannon Shea a.k.a The Sassy Social Worker
An online course where I help adult children deal with the challenges of caring for an aging parent without losing their minds or k*lling them.
LET'S BE REAL...
Taking care of your aging parents can be extremely stressful and frustrating no matter how good your relationship!
I have created a special online course designed to help adult children navigate the treacherous road to helping their elderly parents. This online course will help you gain insight into why your parent is behaving the way they do and what you can do to keep from losing your mind!
It's tough being good.
I know you are doing your best to be a good son or daughter, but you are getting pulled in so many different directions - you don’t know which end is up! I also take care of my aging parents – so I understand.
The cost of caring for our parents is less about money and more about our health (mental and physical). You aren’t imagining it - family caregiver stress on our minds and bodies is a real thing!
It's Not In Your Mind.
Nearly 25% of all family caregivers feel that their physical health has gotten worse since they began caring for a loved one. Feel like you are going to have a mental breakdown?
You’re not alone - 40%-70% of family caregivers have clinically significant symptoms of depression! Roughly 4 in 10 family caregivers (38%) rate their situation as highly stressful and 25% report moderate stress levels. It’s no wonder we wish we could just run away sometimes. Bali, anyone?!
Getting Old Isn't Fun.
Beyond all those scary statistics, the reality is that we are trying to do our best in a situation that is new to all of us. We are watching our parents get older, needier, and less able to do for themselves like they used to.
It’s frustrating to be the one “on-call” all the time, but it is also upsetting to see our parents get older and frailer. It gets our brain thinking about all sorts of “worst-case” scenarios – including our own.
Is Your Parent "Difficult?"
Sometimes, they don’t just take our loving help and say, “thank you.” They might fight our suggestions and our ideas and we find ourselves telling them we are just trying to help. We use logic. We use reasoning. We point out facts. Yet they just want to keep being stubborn.
Now, if this is not your parent, then this course might not strike a cord with you. But if you have a “difficult” parent, then this might be just what you need to keep your own marbles.
If you haven't already, take this quick and easy "difficult parent" questionnaire click below.
Some of the Course Contents
How and Why We Age
Why do we age? What is the cause? Can we do anything to slow it down?
Handling Problem Behaviors
Learn why your parent is acting that way and what you can do to stop the vicious cycle
Plight of The Adult Child
The unique stressors and situations that adult children have to face when caring for an aging parent
Frequently Asked Questions
Find out what others in your position are asking of themselves and get answer to their questions
Affirmations and Mantras
Proven techniques, mantras, mindsets and affirmations you can use to get through stressful times
Stress Reduction Techniques
Ways to reduce your mental and physical stress
Services and Resources
Resources and services that will help you and your parents including printouts and links
Personal Stories
These stories should have you nodding your head and laughing until you cry
Facebook Group
A built in support system in our private Facebook group where you can make friends, trade (horror) stories, and find out it's not just you!
Wouldn't You Like To Know...
Why they are acting that way and how you can respond?
How you can have less stress right now?
Proven action steps you can take to feel better?
YES, TELL ME MORE!
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Shannon Shea, MSW
THE SASSY SOCIAL WORKER
I didn't grow up wanting to be a social worker or help older adults. In 1996, I received my AA degree from Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA with a focus on Psychology. I then went on to work in outside sales for the next 20 years. It wasn't until my mid-40's when I decided to make a major shift in career paths. I received my bachelor's degree from Brandman University in Irvine in social work with a focus on gerontology. I then received my master's degree from Louisiana State University, also in gerontological social work. I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Gerontology from Concordia University Chicago. I expect to graduate with my cohort in 2023.
While doing my internship for my BSW at the Huntington Beach Senior Center, I was tasked with going into people's homes to find out which resources and services I could connect them to. I was able to see firsthand how many older adults needed a little extra help around the house with things such as shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry, and pet care, but they could not afford to pay a traditional in-home caregiving company. I knew there had to be a better way, but when I could not find it, I founded Elder Love USA, Inc. - a nonprofit in-home caregiving company. We provide care at a reduced rate with low minimum hourly requirements. Elder Love is operating in southern California and greater Phoenix with plans to expand nationwide over the coming years. To learn more about Elder Love USA, Inc., please visit www.ElderLoveUSA.org
Like you, I also care for my aging parents. My dad passed in July of 2021. He had Parkinson's Disease for nearly 20 years with increasing physical difficulties. It is just now me and my mom (aka my difficult parent). It is my intent to provide a course for other adults taking care of their aging parents so that they may be able to better understand what is happening to their parent's minds and bodies and how they can take care of them while also being sure to take care of themselves!
