The Whole Care Network

Claire Sachs: My Path to Patient Advocacy

38 years ago, Claire Sachs' healthcare journey began with a near-fatal illness that put her in a wheelchair for 18 months. This experience evolved into a life that includes balancing 13 chronic and recurring conditions followed by caregiving for her mom. Angry, combative, and frustrated for a long time, Claire didn't want to talk about her personal health story, but that all changed when she was invited to speak about her experience and found her voice and path to Patient Advocacy. Listen...

No One Without Song

Through her marvelous book: "The Courage to Care: Being Fully Present with the Dying" Rev. Linda Bryce's mission is to pass on her understandings and show us how to be there at the bedside, fully present with anyone who is dying, and sharing in the mystery and wonder of death—and after.  When there is someone at our side, challenging times become more bearable. Whether it is an unexpected life-ending diagnosis, loss of employment or even of the ability to go places and see people, the prese...

Caregivers: The Journey Begins with You!

For more than thirty-five years, Author Susan Ryan has been in roles of non-professional (unpaid) caregiving support for family and loved ones. Through her experience as a family caregiver, (currently navigating her husband’s care with his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease), Susan has moved from feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and yes - sometimes frightened, to confident and balanced navigating the transitions being care receiver, those who support us, and I are on in our journey. As a dyna...

Learn About the LGBTQ Caregiver Center

Zander Keig, MS, MSW, LCSW, and Jennifer Henius, LCSW are caregivers and social workers embarking an ambitious and much-needed project to launch the LGBTQ Caregiver Center as a new online resource hub as part of the Caregiver Wellness Collective Inc, a new nonprofit startup based in greater Tampa Bay, Florida. The LGBTQ Caregiver Center aims to raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by #LGBTQCaregivers and those who care for #LGBTQ individuals, empower LGBTQ Caregivers to live with ...

Learn about the LGBTQ Caregiver Center

Zander Keig, MS, MSW, LCSW, and Jennifer Henius, LCSW are caregivers and social workers embarking an ambitious and much-needed project to launch the LGBTQ Caregiver Center as a new online resource hub as part of the Caregiver Wellness Collective Inc, a new nonprofit startup based in greater Tampa Bay, Florida. The LGBTQ Caregiver Center aims to raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by #LGBTQCaregivers and those who care for #LGBTQ individuals, empower LGBTQ Caregivers to live with ...

Empowerment through Wellness: Jodi O'Donnell-Ames

Jodi O’Donnell–Ames is a professional speaker, wellness and empowerment coach, author, podcaster, and tireless advocate for Lou Gehrig's disease, or ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). Jodi is also the founder and current board member of Hope Loves Company, a non-profit organization committed to providing educational and emotional support to children and young adults who have had or have a loved one battling ALS in their lives. Now on her second career after caregiving has ended, Jodi is he...

Alz Authors: Untangling Alzheimer's and Dementia One Story at a Time

Marianne Suicco is a registered nurse, dementia daughter, and author of the novel Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer’s love story. She is also a founding member and manager of AlzAuthors.com, the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer's and dementia from personal experiences. On Alzauthors.com you’ll discover hundreds of inspirational stories which span all Alzheimer’s and dementia stages to off you keen insights and better understandings of this insidious disease. Marianne also ho...

Putting It All Together

What are your priorities when planning for your future care? We conclude Season One of Your Future Self by "Putting It All Together" so you can find your path to Healthy Aging. That's because "Your Future Self is in your control!"

BJ Miller: From Caregiver to Care Reciever to Palliative Care Physician

Dr. BJ Miller is a longtime hospice and palliative medicine physician and educator. He currently sees patients and families via telehealth through Mettle Health, a company he co-founded with the aim to provide personalized, holistic consultations for any patient or caregiver who needs help navigating the practical, emotional and existential issues that come with serious illness and disability. BJ has worked in all settings of care: hospital, clinic, residential facility, and home. Led by his...

Enjoy a Cup of Comfort with Trish Laub

Award-winning author Trish Laub’s expertise is derived from the full-time care of her parents, one with Alzheimer’s and one with stage 4 cancer, for whom she delivered the care and end of life they desired. She served not only as a hands-on caregiver but also as the manager of both of her parents’ daily and medical care, as well as their in-home caregivers and overall care team. She has gone on to assist many others through their care journey. Trishs' "Comfort in Their Journey" book series ...

Our Spiritual Pillar of Care

What are your priorities when planning for your future care? In this episode of Your Future Self, we introduce you to our Spiritual Pillar of Care, On the Whole Care Network, we understand spirituality can have different meanings for everyone. And we respect and embrace all spirituality. Our spiritual pillar is focused on the entire person, rather a holistic point of view of all the aspects of you that are revealed in your role as a caregiver. Our Spiritual Pillar will demonstrate the h...

The Waiting Room Revolution

Dr. Hsien Seow and Dr. Samantha Winemaker have worked their entire careers helping those who are facing serious illnesses. For years, they often heard patients and families say they felt unprepared and overwhelmed. Despite years of education, research, and advocacy, they continued to hear patients and families say “Why didn’t anyone tell me that sooner…” They started the Waiting Room Revolution movement because they wanted to improve the patient and family illness experience. They want...

Our Financial Pillar of Care

What are your priorities when planning for your future care? In this episode of Your Future Self we introduce you to our Financial Pillar of Care, which features special guests, The Caregiver Attorney, Amanda Singleton, and her husband Ryan Singleton who is a Consumer Affairs attorney from Singleton Legal Financial stress is overwhelming and can impact your overall well-being. Assessing the long-term financial impact of caregiving is critical. Reduction or loss of income and increased h...

Why Is Grandma Naked?

Ellen Prober Rittberg is an award-winning journalist whose humorous essays and features have appeared in the NY Times, HuffPost, Reader's Digest, and other major platforms. After being a caregiver to her mother for six years and realizing even though as an attorney she'd represented senior citizens for many years and had written reports and recommendations for judges on other cases, she felt overwhelmed and largely clueless when she began caregiving. From her personal and professional exper...

Celebrating Pride by Advocating for LGBTQ Seniors

LGBTQ seniors are among the most important and rapidly growing segment of our community. Understanding LGBTQ history can help us be better caretakers and advocates for LGBTQ older adults. Our guest, Amy Whelan has been a Senior Staff Attorney at the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) since 2011 and works on NCLR’s full range of litigation, policy, and public education work. Amy litigates complex civil cases around the country regarding marriage equality, employment discrimination...

Susie Singer Carter - My Mom and the Girl

Susie Singer Carter is a writer/director/producer who has an intense passion for projects that emphasize girl power of all kinds - for all ages. Above all that... Susie is an extraordinary caregiver too! Featuring the late great Valerie Harper, Susie's critically acclaimed film…My Mom and the Girl is based on her true story of caring for her Mom, is a heart-warming, uplifting film that gives an unexpected and joyous look at Alzheimer's, diversity, and caring. Listen in and learn how Susie i...

Our Social Pillar of Care

What are your priorities when planning for your future care? In this episode of Your Future Self we introduce you to our Social Pillar of Care. All too often, and unnecessarily, caregiving is a lonely undertaking for you and your loved one. Over time and all too often, caregiving breeds isolation. Loss of social outlets and limited interactions with family and friends are common which can lead to depression and despair. While caregiving can be hard, there are great joys too. Our Social ...

Our Physical Pillar of Care

What are your priorities when planning for your future care? In this episode of Your Future Self, we introduce you to our Physical Pillar of Care. The Physical Pillar is often most prominent because it is usually a physical ailment of a loved one that results in you becoming a caregiver. Unfortunately the focus on addressing the physical needs of your loved ones causes you to ignore your own physical needs, limiting your ability to manage your stress and provide optimal care. Self-care i...

Caregivers are Welcomed at Nancy's House

Elissa Lewin is a licensed psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, who has been in practice over 30 years, and she’s the Founder and Executive Director of Nancy’s House. Nancy’s House is a program designed to break the isolation and exhaustion that can come with being a family caregiver. The program evolved from Elissa’s own experience as a “serial caregiver”. Nancy’s House is a unique program in the US. It combines rest and nurturing with self-care skills, connection and sup...

It Does Happen: Early Onset Dementia

At any age, a dementia diagnosis is difficult to grasp... But a dementia diagnosis at age 42? This episode of Healing Ties features special guest David Benedetto who shares his important story about being diagnosed with Early Onset Dementia at 42 and Dementia Care expert Gary Joseph LeBlanc from the Dementia Spotlight Foundation . Listen in and learn how David and Gary are inspiring other and creating Healing Ties by sharing their stories and critical resources to help those with faced wit...

Successful Aging Is In Your Control

Monica Stynchula and Christopher MacLellan team up again for another informative podcast series to introduce you to the Whole Care Network's 4 Pillars of Care by asking you one simple question: How do you want to be care for as you age? By planning now, successful aging is in your control! xRv7wxWvKq5dNUiN4zBU

Person Centered Approach to Dementia Care

Judy Cornish is an author, founder of the Dementia & Alzheimer’s Wellbeing Network (DAWN®), creator of the DAWN Method® and retired elder law attorney. Her two books (The Dementia Handbook and Dementia With Dignity) take person-centered dementia care from theory to practice by identifying the skills not lost to dementia. Through DAWN, Judy provides counseling, private classes and an online video program for families and home caregivers. Judy's goal is to help families learn how to truly su...

Higher Standards Caregiver Training

Emilia Bourland, OTR, ECHM is an occupational therapist who has spent her career advocating for and treating the needs of clients and caregivers. As an educator at Texas Woman's University Master of Occupational Therapy program, and as a clinician working in settings as diverse as the ICU, acute care, inpatient rehab, skilled nursing, home modification, home health, and outpatient clinics, Emilia came to see two well defined truths. Caregivers are foundationally vital to our healthcare syst...

Hope Springs Eternal with Jeff Studzinski

We've all heard the phrase, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" ...cancer coach and motivational speaker is Revolutionizing Growth and making lemonade all over the world with his inspiring story of hope and love. As a two time cancer survivor and kidney transplant recipient , Jeff Studzinski shares his inspiring story that will warm your heart and fill you with hope. Listen in and learn about Jeff's "angel" and how he is creating Healing Ties all around us!

Leadership Lessons from the Pub

Irvine Nugent has spent the majority of his career helping leaders and organizations and people like me harness the power of their emotions. Irvine's new book Leadership Lesson's from the Pub was born out of the unique Irish wisdom Irvine learned growing up in his family’s pub in Northern Ireland. Journey through Ireland’s rich pub culture and back to the boardrooms and offices of the organizations you lead or manage. It’s a journey into the struggles and joys of leadership that will show yo...

Creating A Global Network of Care

Caregiving is not simply a local issue, Caregiving is a universal issue impacting the lives of millions of people from around the globe. Through their work at Care.ly and Caregiving.com Mike Eidsaune and Christina Best are providing Caregivers from across the globe the opportunity to gather valuable resources and share their stories to help manage their caregiving day. Listen in and learn how Mike and Christina are creating Healing Ties all around us!

What To Do with Mom's House?

Ben Rao is the author of Paying For Long Term Care , Co-Founder of Mom's House enterpriser, philanthropist, lover of music, art, and cool shoes whose positivity and energy are contagious. After going through the journey of placing his beloved step-father, Tom, in to long term care, Ben discovered how difficult and taxing the ordeal was and decided to use the experience he has gained working in the senior space, to help make other families’ journey easier, less stressful, and provide clear di...

Aging Gracefully with Melanie Maynor

Melanie Maynor grew up in a small town in south Louisiana surrounded by the love and care of her grandparents and great-grandparents. That love and care lead Melanie on a path to become a Geriatric Care Manger who is a willing and capable advocate for her clients and families, because of her innate passion for everyone to Age Gracefully. Listen in and learn how Melanie Maynor is creating Healing Ties through her work as a Geriatric Care Manager in St. Louis, MO.

The Teacup Project: Sharing Your Keepsake Stories

Memories are truly the heart of family history and the soul of every person. Realizing seniors have so many colorful stories and secrets to share, Authors Deb Holton-Smith and Jan Martin wanted to connect families, friends, and caretakers to spend precious time − possibly over a cup of tea − to reignite these memories. Deb and Jan passion for people as coaches and counselors sparked their desire to create The Teacup Project because some of the best conversations between family and friends a...

Untangling How to Care for Our Elders with Carol Bradley Bursack

Today’s guest is Carol Bradley Bursack, an author, columnist, consultant, and speaker who provided care to a neighbor and six elderly family members over the span of two decades. This experience led her to write Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories, a portable support group for caregivers that is also used as a college text for gerontology and nursing home administration classes. Her websites Minding Our Elders and Minding Our Elders blog, include links to helpful agenc...

What To Know Before You Consider Placing Your Loved One

It is a stressful decision. But you know that it will be the best decision for your loved one. You know that someday you may have to think about bringing your loved one in a place that can provide more care. It may be a rehab facility, an assisted living facility (ALF), or a nursing home. Your loved one comes first and most important. I want to help you to prepare NOW for the crucial questions. WHEN? WHERE? HOW? •When will be the right time? •Where is the best place? •How will you be a...

Untangling Life as a Millennial Caregiver with Lauren Dykovitz

Lauren Dykovitz became a caregiver for her mother who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s when she was in her twenties. In the beginning, she says, she had a difficult time coping with her mom’s disease and felt she had nowhere to turn for advice and support. As a younger caregiver, it was difficult to find anyone who could relate to what she was going through. To help herself understand and process her dementia journey she started sharing her story on a Facebook page, then on a blog, ...

Untangling Early Onset Alzheimer's with Peter Berry

Creating Healing Ties with Ken Stern

We begin season 9 of Healing Ties with best selling author Ken Stern. Formally the CEO of National Public Radio is is the founder and Chair of the Longevity Project, which he founded in collaboration with the Stanford Center on Longevity. The Longevity Project fosters public conversation and research on the impact on longer lives on civil society. Ken is the host of multiple podcasts, including When I’m 64, from the Stanford Center on Longevity and is launching a National Conversation ...

TURNING THE TABLES: Succeeding As A Working Caregiver

The tables have turned for you. Are you okay? It used to be that work was the most important duty in your life. Your family and loved ones were there for love and support. Now, you are caring for that most important loved one. But you still have to work. I understand. The tables turned on me in 2012, when I became the main caregiver for my parents. But I still had to work, providing outreach and support for caregivers in Northeast Florida. And I still had to do my live radio show, eve...

Untangling Personal and Professional Dementia Care with Paula Spencer Scott

Paula Spencer Scott is a long-time journalist and health and family-life specialist focusing on self-care, eldercare, and baby care. She's the author of the bestseller “Surviving Alzheimer's: Practical Tips and Soul-Saving Wisdom for Caregivers” and the recently released “When Your Aging Parent Needs Help: A Geriatrician's Step-by-Step Guide to Memory Loss, Resistance, Safety Worries, & More” with Dr. Leslie Kernisan. Paula experienced dementia in five of her immediate family members, includ...

Now What?

People are getting Covid-19 vaccinations. But there's still much we don't know about what is safe and what isn't in our daily activities. Join the conversation!

Untangling Alzheimer's on a 10,000 Mile Trike Trip with Susan Straley

Today’s guest is Susan Straley, author of the dual memoirs "Alzheimer's Trippin' with George" which memorialize her 10,000-mile cross-country trike trips after her husband’s dementia diagnosis. When Susan and George semi-retired from their machine design and manufacturing business in Waukesha, Wisconsin in 2008, they moved all their belongings into storage except for what they needed for a long bicycle trip on their recumbent tricycles and pedaled around Wisconsin for 40 days. Throughout th...

Untangling Caregiver Stress by Keeping a Journal with Vicki Tapia

When both of her parents were diagnosed with dementia, Vicki Tapia, a lactation consultant who had coached around 10,000 mother-baby pairs, found her energies redirected to the other end of life. A lifelong writer, she soon began journaling as an outlet for the stress and strain she encountered as their long-distance caregiver. Over time, this journal became a book-length work, a memoir detailing her family’s rocky road through this devastating disease. She was inspired to seek publication...

Untangling End of Life Issues with Gerda Saunders

Today’s guest is Gerda Saunders, author of the mesmerizing memoir Memory’s Last Breath: Field Notes on My Dementia, in which she describes in great detail her descent into cerebral microvascular disease, a precursor to dementia. A gifted writer, she is also a woman of many talents and has had a remarkable career in higher education. She grew up in South Africa during apartheid, the child of a farmer in a family of six children. In spite of her family’s lack of resources, she succeeded in ear...

Where's My Shot?

For too many people, it's hard to get an appointment for a Covid-19 vaccination. The system needs to be improved, but there are a few tips to help in the meantime.

A Caregiver Valentine Story For You

Caregiving is a reflection of your love. All that you do for your loved one (often unappreciated), and all the mistakes you feel you made by trying to be a better caregiver. The times you resist the urge to fix your loved one’s problems. That is your Valentine Story. In this podcast of Toula’s Tips for Caregivers, my guest shares her Caregiver Valentine Story with you. Terri Barton, CEO of Aging True, Inc, also cared for her husband, Bill, for five years, until his death in 2019. In th...

Untangling the Expressive Arts for Dementia Care with Daniel C. Potts, MD

Daniel C. Potts, MD, FAAN is a neurologist, author, poet, educator, and champion of those living with Alzheimer's and other dementias and their care partners. His professional life collided with his personal in 2002, when his father, Lester, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He soon found himself on his own dementia journey, and like many other care partners, became adrift in despair, confusion, grief, and helplessness as he watched his father decline. Soon after Lester started attending a da...

Untangling Lewy Body Disease with Florrie Munat

Today’s guest is Florrie Munat, author of the memoir “Be Brave: A Wife’s Journey Through Caregiving,” in which she shares the story of caring for her husband, Chuck, during their 6-year ordeal with Lewy Body disease due to an ischemic stroke. "Be Brave" was selected as one of the Top 100 Indie Books of 2017 by Kirkus Reviews, who described it as, "A beautiful, richly panoramic book that should reassure caregivers and delight memoir readers." Already a published author when their journey star...

Bob Rowland - Caregiver Spotlight (Ep. #105)

In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, meet Bob Rowland. Bob cares long distance for his 84 year old mom along with the support from his siblings. Bob has been in the health care space for over 30 years and talks about a medication management service that may be available for your loved one and help simplify your caregiving life. Bob has also been implementing small healthy habits and lost 60 pounds in 2020 and was able to get off a few of his personal medications.

PWDP Ep 35: Traveling Well with Dementia with Jan Dougherty

Matt visits with nurse and author Jan Dougherty for travel strategies when dementia impacts a family. Visit the Show notes: http://bit.ly/Ep_35_Travel

Untangling Dementia Themes in Teen Fiction with Krysten Lindsay Hager

Today’s guest is Krysten Lindsay Hager, who writes funny, charming, irresistible dramas for tweens and teens. Her stories are about friendship, self-esteem, fitting in, frenemies, crushes, fame, first loves, and values. She also writes about dementia, especially Lewy Body, in the teen novels “Competing with the Star,” a Readers' Favorite Book Award Finalist, and “Dating the It Guy.” Krysten’s experience with dementia started in her sophomore year in high school when her grandfather was diag...

Untangling Caring for Two Parents Diagnosed at the Same Time with Jean Lee

Jean Lee is a co-founder and director of AlzAuthors. and author of the brave, inspirational memoir "Alzheimer’s Daughter," written from a journal she kept during her years of caring for both parents diagnosed with Alzheimer's on the same day. At the time, she was working full-time as an elementary school teacher and took over their care. Throughout her caregiving years she experienced the heartbreak, confusion, and exhaustion common to all dementia caregivers. Readers of her deeply personal a...

Untangling Caring for Two Parents Diagnosed at the Same TIme with Jean Lee

Jean Lee is a co-founder and director of AlzAuthors. and author of the brave, inspirational memoir "Alzheimer’s Daughter," written from a journal she kept during her years of caring for both parents diagnosed with Alzheimer's on the same day. At the time, she was working full-time as an elementary school teacher and took over their care. Throughout her caregiving years she experienced the heartbreak, confusion, and exhaustion common to all dementia caregivers. Readers of her deeply personal a...

Episode #17: A Conversation with Leeza Gibbons

In today’s podcast, I speak with Leeza Gibbons, author, entrepreneur, Emmy-winner, pop culture icon and former caregiver. Leeza was thrust into the world of Alzheimer’s when her mother was diagnosed in 1999. Throughout her journey, she observed the many challenges of caregiving and the importance of caregivers taking care of themselves. She created Leeza’s Care Connection, a non-profit organization to offer support to family caregivers by providing support groups, educational workshops a...