In this episode, we welcome back a familiar voice from Season 5, Episode 1 — Grace Block returns to share what life looks like after caregiving.

She opens up about the transition from being a full‑time caregiver for her mom, who lived with dementia, to stepping into her next chapter. Grace reflects on the privilege of being able to take early retirement so she could be fully present during her mom’s final months, and how working part‑time in a casual role helped her stay connected to her own identity along the way.

After her mom passed, Grace found herself holding something she hadn’t had in years: time. A gift, yes — but also overwhelming and tinged with guilt. She talks about how the busyness of planning her mom's celebration of life, managing executor duties, and hosting family delayed the arrival of grief… and how she’s now allowing it in.

Grace shares the beautiful ways she keeps her mom close, especially through what she calls her “heart memories” — the photos she regularly sends to family, and the ones they send back.

With caregiving behind her and full retirement ahead, Grace is learning to fill her days with things that bring her joy: volunteering, painting, cross‑country skiing, and spending time with her new pup.

This is a conversation about identity, healing, and rediscovering yourself when the role that once defined your days suddenly falls away. Grace’s story is a gentle reminder that life after caregiving has much to offer as long as we're open to the possibilities.

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A rare gathering of California Sea Lions turned a quiet Vancouver Island shoreline into a living, breathing wildlife spectacle. In this Island Treasures spotlight episode, come along as we get an unusually close look at these massive, captivating mammals as they rest and jostle for space on the beach during the lead‑up to the herring run.

With photos andvideo accompanying the audio version of the podcast on YouTube, this episode brings plenty of coastal atmosphere, offering a refreshing break and a glimpse of the Island’s wild charm—before we return to our ongoing conversations about life after caregiving in the next episode.

My husband's Pexel account

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After eleven years as the sole caregiver for her mom living with young‑onset dementia, Sharon Davis wasn’t prepared for the grief, anger, and loss that followed her mother’s passing. Holidays lost their sparkle, her faith felt fractured, and life paused as she stepped back from work and withdrew - unsure how to move forward in a life no longer defined by caregiving.

Healing felt distant — until an unexpected and unconventional opportunity appeared. It was surprising and exactly what she needed. That experience became the spark that nudged her forward, kick-started her healing, and helped her rediscover herself.

Today, she’s rebuilt her life with purpose. A new home. A new job. A new love. And a renewed mission. Sharon now advocates for caregivers, offers training and guidance, spots those who may quietly be carrying the weight she once knew, and connects them to the resources that can lighten their load. Her path even led her to work in finance as a consultant — empowering caregivers and others to navigate the practical side of life with confidence.

This podcast shares her story of reconstruction — the raw moments, the unexpected detours, and the powerful transformation that followed. It’s a space for caregivers, former caregivers, and anyone searching for their “new me.” A reminder that healing isn’t linear, that support matters and can show up in unexpected ways, and that life after caregiving can be reconstructed with intention, courage, and a renewed sense of possibility.

If you wish to contact Sharon her email is AlzforMom@gmail.com

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Carol Steinberg is an accomplished writer/editor and a former award-winning journalist who contributed regularly to The New York Times, Success magazine, and other publications.

In addition, Carol brings a deeply personal lens to the world of Alzheimer’s disease. After supporting her mother as the primary caregiver for her father, she witnessed firsthand how this illness reshapes the lives of everyone it touches. Following her father’s passing, she applied her journalism skills, experiences and observations into advocacy, spending 15 years in leadership roles at both local and national Alzheimer’s organizations.

Today, Carol continues her commitment to the Alzheimer’s community, writing the “Voices of Alzheimer’s” newsletter. She is also the author of a new children’s book that blends her family’s experience with age‑appropriate explanations of Alzheimer's disease to children, together with meaningful intergenerational activities that help children (and all of us) stay connected to loved ones living with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Carol's book, "Come Grandpa Meow, Let’s Fly: A Heartfelt Children’s Story About Alzheimer’s Disease Plus a Guide to Intergenerational Activities" is available on Amazon

If you'd like to share your story with Carol for the "Voices of Alzheimer's" newsletter, you can reach her through her LinkedIn profile.

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Caregiver Recovery: Redefining Normal and Moving Forward invites listeners into another honest conversation with Christina Keys about life after caregiving. Too often, caregivers are left 'soul tired' and unprepared for life after caregiving.

Christina is a caregiving advocate, national speaker, and founder of Keys for Caregiving. After a decade-long journey caring for her mother post-stroke, Christina now empowers family caregivers to prioritize self-care, navigate life after caregiving, and build stronger caregiver communities. She created the Caregiver Recovery program and is passionate about making sure caregivers are seen, supported, and celebrated.

In this episode, Christina shares what it means to rediscover freedom, redefine “normal,” and carry forward the love and blessings that remain with her post-caregiving. Through her story, we’re reminded that recovery is not only about healing ourselves, but also about walking alongside those who will come after us. If her journey touched you, visit her website, ChristinaKeys.com and watch for the release of her upcoming book.

• Linkedin
• FB: Keys For Caregiving and Christina Keys
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Website

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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 power of choice.

You’ll hear about her RISE™ framework (Renew, Ignite, Soar with Excellence) and her helpful resource “When Your Soul Whispers”. Licia is a Renewal Expert as a Leadership & Personal Growth Coach. Tune in for a conversation about her newfound strength, renewal, and the surprising places where healing begins.

Licia's website

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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 invited to reflect, regroup, and rediscover purpose. This phase is a time to honor memories, process grief, and ask meaningful questions like “Who am I now?” and “What brings me joy?”

We also speak about the course, Finding Your Purpose After Caregiving, designed to help caregivers recalibrate and move forward with intention. Plus, we preview upcoming episodes featuring guests who’ve navigated this transition—some with clarity, others still finding their way—all offering hope, inspiration, and shared wisdom.

This episode marks a new season for the podcast, one that embraces renewal and celebrates the courage it takes to step into life after caregiving. Subscribe to the podcast and join us on the 23rd of each month when new episodes drop.

✨ Suggested episodes to revisit:

• “Moving Forward After Caregiving” with Licia Thompson
• “Caregiving Unveiled: True Purpose for an Encore Career” with Bill Cohen

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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 all that’s where the podcast calls home.

I’m glad you’re here. Let’s discover what comes next, together.

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