Interview with Jessica Lizel Cannon, author of The Proactive Caregiver

February 11, 2023 | By Women Writers Women Books | Reply More

Interview with Jessica Lizel Cannon, author of The Proactive Caregiver

In THE PROACTIVE CAREGIVER, Jessica shares her journey of caring for her mother, who lives with mixed Dementia, including FTD coupled with Bipolar Manic Depression Disorder. We are delighted to feature this interview with her.

What motivated you to write your book?

Like many others, I grew up in a family that tucked everything under the family rug. We did not speak openly about deep, emotional trauma or talk about our dirty laundry in any way. After many years of therapy for various reasons, I found my voice. I had a story locked inside of me that needed to be freed. I felt compelled to speak openly after being silenced and dismissed growing up in a dysfunctional family to bring light to my PTSD and our family’s mental health issues.

This book was written over the years as I stepped into the role of essential Caregiver for my Mother, Lizel. Then as I met more caregivers, I kept hearing repetitive questions with little to no answers available. As I researched for the answers, I found far more than what they needed to know. I could finally connect the dots between our dysfunctional family and how Dementia creeps into our lives like a thief at night. Instead of stealing our sentimental items, Dementia stole our relationships, confidence, and identity, along with Mom’s ability to thrive without us. Being granted permission for self-care seemed like a foreign idea, but many caregivers are too overwhelmed to recognize that no one else needs to give them a green light and that they must make time to heal.

What is a Proactive Caregiver?

The Proactive Caregiver came to be as I stepped away from the corporate world as an accountant. I was still in the mindset of reviewing historical information, trying to find a trend, and trying to predict an outcome. I coined this as a caregiver because I was exhausted and emotionally beaten down by constantly reacting to situations. A Proactive Caregiver is one who deliberately prepares for uncertain outcomes financially, legally, and spiritually. Proactive Caregivers also guard their health to avoid needing a caregiver themselves. We cannot take care of our loved ones if we do not care for ourselves. Being granted permission for self-care may seem ridiculous, but many caregivers are too overwhelmed to recognize no one else needs to give them the green light to make time to heal.

You have a chapter in your book titled Creating a Cultural Shift. How do you intend to do that?

The stats of those living with Dementia are increasing, including those younger and younger. Dementia is no longer the older person’s forgetful disease to be diagnosed in a person’s 80s or 90s. No. Dementia is also affecting those my age and younger. When I dug into Mom’s history to track her symptoms, it was shocking to realize she was in her 40’s when we started to dismiss her as just being “crazy.”

I intend to share my story to help others understand how this silent killer of Dementia took over our lives and destroyed our family. I believe it will make others aware of specific areas that need change and how to go about it, which will help them prevent Dementia in the long run. I created a curriculum that covers what I believe are the Caregiver’s Trinity to educate on habits needed relating to lifestyle, financial planning, and spiritual practices to stop the growing Dementia epidemic.

Researchers are starting to change their viewpoints. What do you want people to know about Dementia Prevention?

For several decades, the consistent lessons learned related to Dementia have been surrounded by talk about our genes. Minimal emphasis has been placed on prevention because the idea that our genes decide whether or not we will live with Dementia means we stop trying to be healthy. The problem with this mentality is that unless we have our genes tested and explained, we don’t know if that is true. Once I finally gave in to testing from a nutritional standpoint, I was given peace of mind that I do not carry genes for Dementia, but I do have other areas that must be managed, which will cause Dementia if left unchecked.

Researchers now understand the need to focus on the precursors of Dementia regardless of genetics. Just because my grandparents or parents may have lived with a form of Dementia does not mean I will too. It means I have to take better care of myself regardless. I want people to know the power to prevent Dementia is up to them because Dementia is a disease of Accountability.

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Jessica Lizel Cannon holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a Certified Public Accountant license. After spending over 20 years as an accountant, Jessica received the calling to step away from the corporate world to become her mother’s essential Caregiver. After becoming a Dementia caregiver for her mother lives with manic-depressive bipolar disorder and mixed Dementia, Jessica became a Certified Dementia Practitioner and member of the National Speaker Association Austin Chapter to coach others on becoming Proactive Caregivers.

Her passion for stopping this growing yet preventable epidemic led Jessica to become the author of “The Proactive Caregiver, Stop Reacting to Life and Start Living Proactively” and the host of The Proactive Caregiver Podcast. She shares her journey to help other caregivers find empowerment while navigating the darkness of financial, emotional, and lifestyle stress to prevent Dementia from touching more families. Jessica resides in Austin, Texas, with her loving husband and two sons. For fun respite breaks, Jessica enjoys projects as a producer and script supervisor in the Indie film arena.

Instagram: @Proactive_Caregiver

Faccebook: Jessica Lizel Cannon

Tiktok: @Proactivecaregiver

THE PROACTIVE CAREGIVER Stop Reacting to Life, Start Living Proactively

The Proactive Caregiver book will inspire caregivers surrounded by the darkness of fear, anxiety, and overwhelm with the light of acceptance and empowerment. It will encourage you to be a healthier caregiver and teach you to appreciate the role model you have become as a caregiver for your children, causing a cultural shift.

This book is for caregivers of all ages, with loved ones living with Dementia or suspecting behavioral changes. Jessica shares her journey of caring for her mother, who lives with mixed Dementia, including FTD coupled with Bipolar Manic Depression Disorder.

Behind their denial and avoidance, the Spirit waited patiently to begin transforming both of them. Throughout Jessica’s transformation, she discovered the reactive pitfalls many caregivers experience. With Spiritual guidance, Jessica’s transformation resulted in becoming The Proactive Caregiver. You, too, can learn to be proactive rather than reactive as you join her on this journey. Stop reacting to life and start creating a better quality of life while living guilt-free and shame-free.

The Proactive Caregiver book will inform, educate, and encourage you to embrace the emotional challenges by allowing personal growth to transform and enrich your life. When your loved ones begin to lose time and memories or become combative, you must be prepared to step into their world with non-threatening and graceful manners. Your relationship with your loved one may prevent this from happening.

So what do we do? How do we begin to dig into our lives to promote positive change and become healthier caregivers throughout the process? Jessica wasted so much energy trying to be strong for the family by hiding pain and suffering, which inevitably made her sick and depressed. Find out how to listen to the gentle whispers of guidance and become a Proactive Caregiver too.

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