EPAGA University

"The good news: We're living longer than ever. The bad news: We're living longer than ever ( AARP )." "As it turns out, living a healthy life is so much more complicated than just exercising and eating right. The more mundane tasks you do each day (bingeing on Netflix, driving to work) have more of an impact on your well-being than you think ( Prevention )." Join us thi...

Hormone levels naturally shift as we age, but other than the doom and gloom of menopause, what else can we expect to experience? Join us this week as we discuss the fluctuations in hormone levels from age 20 on, how hormone fluctuations affect both men and women, and what you can do to help support your hormones as you age. SHOW NOTES Julie's Uplifting Story: Senior Finds Love and Connection G...

Well... we've made it through 96 whole episodes without getting on our soap box. We guess it's time. "In an ideal world, hospital discharge would take place when both you and your healthcare provider think the time is right. You would be strong enough and healthy enough to handle not only the important discharge tasks and details, but also to take care of yourself once you arrive at y...

"While everyone is at risk during a natural weather-related disaster or similar emergency, older adults can be especially vulnerable during these challenging times. Being prepared in advance can literally mean the difference between survival and death, particularly for those who may have special medical or mobility needs" (National Institute on Aging). Join us this week as we discuss how...

We're a day late and a dollar short, but alas... we've got another good one for you this week! 🪦 Let's just start with one truth: Dying is expensive. Included in those costs are funeral expenses, including embalming, cremation, casket, hearse, limousines, and floral costs. But one expense we can sometimes forget about is the headstone that will mark our resting place for the rest of t...

First things first: Hoarding is a mental disorder. Now that we have that established, we are ready to dive in! This week, we're discussing the ins and outs of hoarding, including possible causes, triggers, how to analyze and arrive at a diagnoses, and treatment options. We'll also discuss things you should and SHOULD NOT say to a hoarder, regardless of your relationship with him/her. Wheth...

"There's no such thing as a self-made person.  Someone else believed, encouraged, and invested in you.  Be grateful and be that someone for others." - Unknown Founder & CEO of Vitalogy EMS, Brodie Verworn, was born and raised in Montana. He initially forayed into EMS in 1998 to help on a local community ambulance in Seeley Lake, Montana. In 2006, he became a full time EMT/Firefig...

For those that have bed-bound loved ones, proper positioning, sanitation, and overall care is critical to the comfort and health of the patient. This week, we're discussing how to best maintain these levels of comfort and health through first obtaining the ideal equipment, followed by the proper positioning of the patient, all in an effort to prevent bed sores and pressure ulcers. We also dive...

Sometimes, it's hard to know what to say after a friend has lost a loved one. You may be afraid of intruding, saying the wrong thing, or making your loved one feel even worse at such a difficult time, however, the worst thing you can say is nothing. Join us this week as we discuss how to best support someone who is grieving, how to interact with them after a funeral, and the best ways to activ...

"If you have wrinkles, you don’t need to be told the skin — the body’s protective outer layer — is susceptible to the effects of aging. For older adults, however, intrinsic and extrinsic changes in the skin make it more prone to disease. In fact, a recent study found that 75.7 percent of adults 70 and older have at least one skin condition requiring treatment either at home (43 percent) or by...

That's how the song goes, right? Well, regardless, this week, we're talking about hips and knees! It’s not always easy to know when hip or knee replacement surgery is necessary. Before you make up your mind about having your hip or knee replaced, talk with your doctor about the possible risks of surgery. It’s also important to have realistic expectations for how quickly you will recover fr...

Do you really need to wear sunscreen everyday? Does what I do in my 20's really affect my skin that much? What does SPF even mean? We've got all of the questions AND all of the answers for you on this week's episode! Join us as we talk about the most current skin care recommendations through all stages of life, how important sun protection really is for your skin, and more! Plus, these...

Death and taxes; the only two things in life that are guaranteed! No matter how immortal we feel waltzing through life’s ups and downs, we all must someday stare death in its devious eyes as we reflect on our lives. Life is complex, sure. That’s a given. But if you really ponder for a moment, it can be boiled down to 2 feelings you’ll most likely be met with on your deathbed: Triumph or regret. Jo...

More than half the people in the United States older than age 75 have some age-related hearing loss. Aging and being around loud noises both can cause hearing loss. Other factors, such as an accumulation of excess earwax, can lower how well ears work periodically. You usually can't get your original hearing back, but there are ways to improve what you hear ( Mayo Clinic ). Join us this week as...

Have you ever seen different ribbon colors and asked: What does that yellow ribbon tied around that tree mean? Or, why is “so-and-so” wearing that ribbon color? Ribbons in a large variety of colors are used throughout the year to celebrate and honor weddings, birthdays, and other party events, as well as bringing awareness to illnesses, cancers, and other health conditions ( Ribbon Impressions )....

Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Even after the chickenpox infection is over, the virus remains dormant in your nervous system for years before reactivating as shingles. This type of viral infection is characterized by a red skin rash that can cause pain and burning. According to the  Centers for Disease Control and Prev...

Brain injury is unpredictable in its consequences. Brain injury affects who we are and the way we think, act, and feel. It can change everything about us in a matter of seconds. The effects of a brain injury are complex and vary greatly from person to person. The effects of a brain injury depend on factors such as cause, location, and severity, and no two brain injuries are exactly the same. The m...

"What makes seniors' nutrition such an important topic? Isn't food just…food? Well, you might be surprised. Your food choices can have big impacts on your well-being. For instance, healthy eating habits can improve your energy levels, boost your immune system, and make you feel great inside and out. For some older adults, they can even help restore feelings of youthfulness. As people...

"Over the course of our lives, we spend a lot of time on our feet, and this may take a serious toll. According to research, an average adult will walk up to 75,000 miles during their lifetime ; that is as much as three times around the planet! Imagine that and it isn’t difficult to see why foot care should be an important part of our daily routine. It can be very easy to overlook the feet, especia...

A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye (the clear part of the eye that helps to focus light). Cataracts are very common as you get older. In fact, more than half of all Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to get rid of cataracts. At first, you may not notice t...

In general, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is widely considered a positive process to regain life from an individual who has suffered cardiac arrest. "What we usually see on TV paints a rosy picture of CPR and leads many of us to think everyone would want it. After all, the CPR shown on TV is quick, painless, and almost always works.  In real life, the CPR process is brutal and survival...

Kidney dialysis is a treatment for people whose kidneys are failing. When you have kidney failure , your kidneys don’t filter blood the way they should. As a result, wastes and toxins build up in your bloodstream. Dialysis does the work of your kidneys, removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood ( Cleveland Clinic ). This week we're talking about kidney disease and dialysis! Join us a...

According to the American Red Cross, someone in the United States will need blood every 2 seconds , and a single blood donation has the potential to save three lives. Donating blood helps supply hospitals and other settings with blood for those who need it during their treatment, but it can also have many positive effects on the donor, with potential emotional and physical benefits on health. Join...

We are back and better than ever with a refresher course on all things Inga, Julie, EPAGA Home Care, and of course, Caregiven! AND, for the first time ever... an exhilarating guest appearance by none other than THE Kevin Lake. Though he needs no introduction around here, Kevin is our General Manager at EPAGA Home Care. He also holds other titles such as Inga's husband, former powersports mechanic,...

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately the dopamine-producing (“dopaminergic”) neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra. Symptoms generally develop slowly over years, and the progression of these symptoms is often a bit different from one person to another due to the diversity of the disease ( Parkinson's Foundation ). While there...