Caregiver Crossing

Emily McAndrews from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield joins us for a conversation about home and vehicle modifications and how thoughtful changes can help older adults stay safer, more independent, and more comfortable. We talk about the parts of daily life that can become harder over time, from moving through the house to getting in and out of the car, and why planning ahead can bring relief bef...

Dr. Kent Berry from Ascension St. Vincent Center for Healthy Aging joins us for a conversation about brain health, cognitive screening, and when families should bring memory concerns to a doctor. We talk about neuropsychological evaluations, mild cognitive impairment, dementia risk reduction, and why early answers can help families plan with more clarity and less fear. We also share details about...

Christy Johnson from CarDon & Associates joins us for a conversation about the SPEAK OUT! Therapy Program and how it helps people with Parkinson’s and related disorders strengthen their speech and swallowing. We talk about why communication changes can be easy to miss, what it means to speak with intent, and how families can support daily practice without making their loved one feel corrected....

Holly Hess from CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions joins us for a helpful conversation about dementia support, Memory Cafés, Dementia Friends Indiana, and how families can take the first step when they are not sure where to turn. We talk about what a dementia friendly community looks like in everyday life and how CICOA helps older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers find resources th...

Lana Wilhelm joins us for a personal conversation about caring for her husband, Rick, after his stroke and how that experience changed the way she understood caregiving, even after more than 40 years as a registered nurse. We talk about marriage after stroke, what spouse caregivers often face behind the scenes, and how her books helped lead to CarePower Connect, formerly Stroke Caregiver Connectio...

Centier Bank joins us for a thoughtful look at their new partnership with Joy’s House, including a special spa day giveaway created to celebrate and support caregivers. We talk about what community banking looks like when it is rooted in real relationships, why local support matters, and how families can feel more comfortable asking financial questions before they feel overwhelmed. We also celebra...

Mike Kaminski from Oasis Senior Advisors joins us for a helpful look at how families can make thoughtful care decisions when senior living options start to feel overwhelming. We talk about what an advisor does, how Mike’s own family experiences shaped his work, what families should know before touring communities, and why the right guidance can bring clarity during a stressful season. We also shar...

Rev. Richard Brendan joins us for a thoughtful look at grief, gratitude, caregiving, and the conversations many families avoid until they have to have them. We talk about his years as a minister, hospice chaplain, mentor, speaker, and radio host, along with the wisdom he has gathered from sitting with people near the end of life. We also share details about the upcoming Death Café at Joy’s House w...

Bringing support into someone’s home takes care, patience, and a deep respect for the person already living there. Katie LaFever, Director of Marketing with LifeSpan Companion Care, talks about what companion care really looks like, how their team gets to know each person beyond the daily living tasks, and why the right caregiver match can change the feel of an entire day. We also touch on the TV...

When a crisis hits, caregivers are often left trying to track down basic information. Jean Ross, CEO and co-founder of Primary Record, talks about why access to medical records matters, how tools like MyChart and family electronic health records support that access, and why rural communities need more attention. We also touch on  Wasabia , the play at Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, and how...

A deck of cards, a short walk, and a few minutes of music. Beth Timko from CarDon & Associates joins us to share how recreation therapy shows up in everyday life with older adults. She walks through what engagement really looks like, how to read what someone needs, and why simple activities can open the door to connection. We also spend time on two topics that come up more often than people ex...

Grief can be confusing at any age, especially for children. In this episode, we talk with Hilary Bercovitz and Danielle Behnke from Brooke’s Place about how kids experience and express grief, what it can look like when they don’t have the words for their feelings, and how caregivers can support them through it. We also explore how grief may show up differently in neurodivergent children, incl...

At the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, Constance Macy, Christel DeHaan Artistic Director, shares how theatre can open the door to conversations people are not always sure how to start. We talk about Wasabia, a production that touches on dementia, end of life decisions, and medical aid in dying, and how being in a theatre setting allows people to sit with these topics in a different way. Constance...

At the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, Constance Macy, Christel DeHaan Artistic Director, shares how theatre can open the door to conversations people are not always sure how to start. We talk about Wasabia, a production that touches on dementia, end of life decisions, and medical aid in dying, and how being in a theatre setting allows people to sit with these topics in a different way. Constance...

PrimeLife Enrichment has been part of Indianapolis for years, but what stands out is how it continues to shift with what people actually need right now. Finding something that fits your day again can take time, especially when routines start to change. Sloane and Leesa share how PrimeLife Enrichment helps caregivers and older adults get into classes, movement, and social opportunities. From lifelo...

Caregiving by nature is an incredibly lonely job. Realizing there are other caregivers out there can change everything. Amanda and Emmalee share how Cocktails & Caregivers shows up in real ways, from care packages and travel support to gatherings where no one has to explain what they are carrying. We also touch on Mythical Kitchen’s Last Meals and how simple questions can open the door to stor...

Rachel Nelson, Executive Director of Home Repairs for Good, joins us to talk about the repairs that can determine whether someone can continue living in the home they love. She explains what her team often discovers during their first visit, from bathrooms without grab bars to steep steps that make it difficult to enter the house. Rachel shares how mobility repairs, home stabilization work, and on...

How can talking about death bring more meaning to life? Richard Brendan, a speaker, mentor, and advocate for authentic living, joins Caregiver Crossing to share how open conversations about mortality can shift our perspective, deepen connections, and inspire a more intentional way of living. Richard played a key role in helping Joy’s House host our first Death Café, creating space for Guests...

Dr. Robert Russell, Chief Medical Officer at Majestic Health, joins us to share what led him into geriatric medicine and why he believes caring for older adults is some of the most meaningful work a physician can do. He explains what his role entails, how families can advocate for their loved ones within a medical team, and the top three concerns facing our aging population today. We also talk abo...

Doug joins us to share how chaplain work shows up far beyond hospitals or end of life settings. From workplaces to community spaces, he explains how being present and listening without judgment can change the direction of a hard conversation. We talk about what caregivers often keep to themselves, how to sit with someone who feels overwhelmed, and why simply knowing someone is available can make a...

It usually starts with a question no one feels ready to ask. If care cannot continue at home, what happens next? Madison Wood-Gonzalez shares what happens next and how Morning Light steps in for people who have nowhere else to go. She explains who qualifies for a hospice home, what daily life looks like inside the house, and how residents are welcomed with dignity. See Privacy Policy at https://ar...

Dave Holder has walked alongside countless families facing some of the hardest decisions they'll ever make. In this episode, he shares what it really looks like to find the right care setting, what families need in those first conversations, and how to build trust when emotions are running high. Dave also reflects on his personal experience as a caregiver, why he believes in the power of community...

The decision to bring in home care usually grows out of everyday life. Jake Campbell talks about the small changes families notice first, how routines become harder to keep up with, and why caregiving can slowly turn into constant coordination. He shares what often stays familiar once support begins, what starts to ease for caregivers, and how home care can help families regain time and attention...

Shelly and Mark share how Pure Memory Water grew out of their years caring for Shelly’s mom as she lived with Alzheimer’s. They talk about what pushed them to start thinking about brain health earlier, why hydration became their entry point, and how small daily habits can fit into real caregiving life. Somewhere along the way, you may also decide it is time to try the pomegranate flavor. See Priva...

Former Wisconsin Governor Martin J. Schreiber  shares the personal story behind his book My Two Elaines  and the years he spent caring for his wife after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Marty reflects on loving two versions of the same person, the early realities many spouses are unprepared for, and how his understanding of the disease changed as Elaine’s needs evolved. He speaks honestly abo...