Caregiving Gen X Style

Happy birthday to us! In this all new CGS, we celebrate the podcast's fourth birthday (can you believe it) with a look back at the past year. We also have the gift of bloopers and outtakes! To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/genxcaregiving Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/caregivinggenxstyle

In this latest all new CGS, Jennifer and Steve talk once again about self care, but this time they use a listener submission to come up with creative ways to take care of yourself that you may not have thought about.  We also take some time to talk about the passing of an amazing member of our family, and have a listener voicemail that makes Jennifer feel a little better about nearly dumping Gagi...

Caregiving for your elderly parents can be tough when your sibling doesn't help out much, but it can be even tougher when you don't have a sibling at all.  In this episode, we talk with Morgan Hudson, Gen X only child and author of the book "The Only Problem" about his experiences. To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/gen...

Using military defense readiness (no, really!) as a metaphor, Jennifer and Steve talk about what you should be doing during each phase of your caregiving journey.  Also, Steve has another one of his "Tales from Assisted Living"! To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/genxcaregiving Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/caregi...

Jennifer and Steve have a fun conversation with Maren Martin, the reigning Mrs. Minnesota, about the differences between Gen X and Millennial caregiving.  Maren currently cares for her mother and her pageant platform is Parkinson's and the people who care for its victims. To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/genxcaregivin...

In this end-of-summer episode, Jennifer and Steve review what they've been up to this summer, give a preview of what's coming up this fall, and offer the gift of bloopers and outtakes. To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/genxcaregiving Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/caregivinggenxstyle

Conversation with your elderly loved one can sometimes be a bit of a challenge, and that can lead to a lot of sitting around in silence during your visits.  In this episode, Jennifer and Steve give some tips on how to fill the time.  Also, hear why Steve is proud of Nana, and why Gagi is calling Jennifer's co-workers on the phone. To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/tex...

As GenXers we have a front row seat to the mistakes of our elders, and some of those mistakes end up directly impacting us as we become caregivers.  In this all new CGS, Jennifer and Steve talk about some of those errors, and how we can avoid them.  Also, learn about yet ANOTHER piece of bread in our caregiving sandwich. To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723...

Jennifer and Steve open up the mailbag!  In it they found several listener questions plus advice for a previous listener email.  Plus hear about the latest kerfuffle (we love that word) from Nana's assisted living over meal times. Links mentioned in this episode: Medicare.gov National Institute on Aging article on grief and loss To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text:...

In this all new CGS, Jennifer and Steve answer an email from a listener who's mother has taken over caregiving for her father, but probably shouldn't.  And, they also discuss how to switch power of attorney when the wrong person in the family was assigned, and is making a mess of things in one way or another.  Plus, learn about Steve and his "short pants". To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxsty...

Finding a home health agency or senior living community for your elderly loved one can be one of the hardest things to do.  If you don't already have a recommendation from someone, you may feel like you're just throwing a dart at a list and hoping for the best.  In this all new CGS, Jennifer and Steve talk with Ben Harder from US News and World Report, a national media outlet that is now providing...

In this VERY special CGS, Jennifer and Steve talk with Rachel Waters, a caregiver who rushed to her mother's side to be with her during her last days ... and was later charged with her mother's murder.  Note that this episode is significantly longer than our typical shows, but it's worth it to hear Rachel's story and what she's doing to try to ensure it's not repeated. Links mentioned in this epis...

Burnout is one of the most common side effects of caring for an elderly loved one.  In fact, it's nearly universal.  In this episode, we talk with veteran senior care professional and author Annalee Kruger, all about how to identify and avoid it. Links mentioned in this episode: The Invisible Patient (book) To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221  Twitter...

Nana and Gagi combined have been in some type of rehab facility nine times for a grand total of four or five months.  Because of this, we, their caregivers, consider ourselves something resembling experts in the field.  In this all new CGS, Jennifer and Steve (in between rambling a bit) talk about everything you need to know related to in-patient rehab for your elderly loved one. To contact us:  E...

In this all new CGS, Steve and Jennifer give their takes on a Substack article with advice on what to do in the first 90 days after your loved one receives a dementia diagnosis. NOTE: We had a little weirdness with our recording setup this time around.  Steve is working to try to figure out what's going on, but as a result our sound quality is slightly below what we're used to. Links mentioned in...

A very, very common caregiving conundrum is how to deal with having to tell your elderly loved one that it isn't safe for them to drive anymore.  Spurred by a listener question, Jennifer and Steve discuss how to handle the conversation about driving, and who you can bring in to help.  Also, hear about why Gagi's emergency pendant has been getting a workout, and why Nana had to order enough food to...

Remember back in the day when there used to be a "very special" episode of your favorite show?  That's what this is -- a very special episode!  Due to bad weather, Gagi and our daughter, Hannah, stayed with us for a time, and we talked them both into sitting down and recording a podcast episode.   To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221  Twitter:  https:/...

In this squirrel-filled CGS, Jennifer and Steve pass along fantastic advice from a veteran home health aide on how you can best help them to ensure your loved one is well cared for.  Plus, hear how Gagi and Nana handled the big Verizon outage last week (spoiler: it confused them) AND we have "How's your mom/dad/whatever" updates from listeners! To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com...

Happy New Year! In this episode, Jennifer and Steve run through some suggestions for New Year's resolutions for caregivers. Intro snippet of "Auld Lang Syne" is by Fresh Nelly, provided by the Free Music Archive. To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/genxcaregiving Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/caregivinggenxstyle

Sadness and even depression around the holidays is not uncommon, but it can be a problem faced by caregivers and care recipients in particular.  In this episode, Steve and Jennifer talk with therapist Emily West from Self Space in Seattle, Washington about what to do about it. Links mentioned in this episode: Self Space Seattle To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text:...

Taking a tour of a senior living community like assisted living, independent living, memory care, or even a nursing home is one of the more difficult things you can do as a caregiver, because the community only shows you what they think you want to see.  In this episode of CGS, Jennifer and Steve talk with a veteran senior living marketing professional.  She's the one who actually conducts these t...

In November 2022, a new podcast was born, dedicated to GenXers who find themselves taking care of their elderly parents or other loved ones.  In this episode, we celebrate our third birthday.  We talk about the past year, look forward to our fourth year, and give everyone (particularly Jennifer) the gift of bloopers and outtakes. To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text...

In this all new CGS, Jennifer and Steve discuss what hospice care is and is NOT.  Spoiler alert: It's not just sitting around waiting for your loved one to die.  Also, hear from a listener who has tips on how to handle hospice while you're in the middle of it. Links mentioned in this episode: The Living Phase, a Substack article by Dana Barnes To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com...

Planning is not for everyone, and when you're neck deep in a caregiving emergency it's hard to think about the future.  BUT, having a caregiving plan can be invaluable as you move through your journey.  In this episode, Steve talks Richard Wexler from APlan2Age, a new non-profit that provides templates and tips on how to get that plan started.  Also, learn about Gagi's recent hospitalization, whic...

The overwhelming majority of caregivers are women, but there are plenty of men out there who find themselves caring for elderly loved ones.  Men have advantages and, perhaps, disadvantages when it comes to caring.  In this all new episode of CGS, we talk about how men can use those strengths and overcome the weaknesses.   To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-72...