Care Giver Life with Dignity Podcast

Five Things We Take For Granted You Need to Know In this episode Fran and Sue discuss five things they take for granted, but understand not everyone knows. The topics include: What words to use that help caregivers The impact of masks on cognition Your right to choose Distinctions of terms for home health care Where you can go to get support This is a production of Habanero Media https://habanerom...

Caregiving with Cannabis Products with Mr. CBD In this episode Fran interviews Mr. CBD Chicago about the benefits of CBD and Cannabis THC products. The conversation discusses the cannabinoid system, it's effect on homeostasis, various cannabis products from smoking flower, to vaping, to edibles and tinctures.    This is a production of https://habaneromedia.net  

This is the second part of a series on hoarding. Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items.  Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs. Sue asks Fran about her experiences working with hoarders....

Hoarding and Steps You Can Take to Help Part 1 Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs. Sue asks Fran about her experiences working with hoarders. Th...

Hoarding and Steps You Can Take to Help Part 1 Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs. Sue asks Fran about her experiences working with hoarders. Th...

Understanding Dementia in a Loved One Part 2 with Dr. Jennifer Stelter This is the second part of our Dementia conversation. Caring for someone living with advanced Alzheimer disease is a challenge. It can make you feel like you're on a hamster wheel—running in circles, trying the same things over and over with no effect on your loved one. You may also find it difficult to connect with your loved...

Understanding Dementia in a Loved One with Dr. Jennifer Stelter

Understanding Grief with Rev. Paul Cutler Holidays are a tough time when you've lost a loved one. How can you navigate Christmas and New Years when the loss is ever present? Guest Rev. Paul Cutler shares his thoughts and advice for those suffering with grief.  Find our website  Life With Dignity   This is a production of  Habanero Media  

How to Hire a Caregiver In this episode Fran and Sue share advice on how to interview and choose a caregiver for your loved one. They explain what you can expect, what's important and what's not important when bringing a stranger into your loved one's home.  This is a production of  Habanero Media 

Join the Life with Dignity Team for an outdoor Fiesta! Enjoy Mexican cuisine and margaritas from the  taco   truck and catch up face to face with other referral sources and peers.  Last Thursday, September 16th from 3-6pm 250 business companions were invited to have tacos at the World headquarters in St. Charles IL.  It's our way of saying thank you for all you do to support others in both your wo...

Hospice and Palliative Care with Tammy Smith For over 15 years Tammy has assisted families as they navigate some of the most challenging and emotional times in their lives. She recognizes that each person and each family can have very different needs but upholding one's dignity is universal. She gives families comfort and knowledge of all the options for families to ensure they can care for their...

How creativity can support your caregiving journey In this episode Fran and Sue discuss how creativity can support your caregiving journey    Getting creative with caregiving support    Search for supportive products (don't reinvent the wheel)    Be creative with time management to create time to take care of yourself Summary   - Sum up today's answer and conversation into a few memorable points t...

Advocating for patient rights: the Jimmo Act Linda Strohschein is an estate planning and elder law attorney. Linda, Fran and Sue discuss long term care planning and the impact of the Jimmo Settlement Agreement. Jimmo clarified when a beneficiary needs skilled nursing or therapy services under Medicare.    This is a production of Habanero Media  

Your Right To Choose #20 When it comes to your healthcare, you're the decision maker. In this episode Fran and Sue discuss how you have the right to choose since you're the one to live with the consequences. The path to wise decision-making is to be fully informed. Ask questions and demand answers. Doctors work for you. When you're ill you may not be able to make the wisest of decisions. Seek out...

I Care A Lot - A Movie Review A new movie recently released by Netflix is reviewed and condemned for being all fiction and no reality when it comes to guardianship for the elderly. In this animated conversation, Fran and Sue walk through elements of the plot and with outrage point out the lack of truth in the story.  In real life this kind of thing NEVER EVER HAPPENS! Check it out!  Produced by Ha...

Applied Neuroplasticity for Caregivers with John Kennedy #18 John Kennedy is an innovative  master coach, consultant,  and trainer who has helped thousands of people and their organizations exceed their performance expectations for over 35 years. In this episode Sue and Fran learn that In response to a contract by the US Marines in 2007, John created the field of Allied Neuroplasticity to rapidly...

Understanding the Dementia Connection Model In this episode Fran and Sue welcome back Dr. Jennifer Stelter (Clinical Psychologist) and Jessica Ryan (Biologist and Educator) to the podcast. All four discuss the "dementia connection model" and how it explains what's going on with dementia in a loved one and practical advice on how to intervene. Caregivers rarely get enough training on dementia and a...

How To Recognize Exploitation In this episode Fran and Sue share advice on how to recognize a situation where a loved one is being exploited. Exploitation is a case where the act of using resources or treating people unfairly in order to benefit for their effort or labor. It may or may not have anything to do with money. The signs of exploitation include the  inability to understand financial issu...

Preparing for Elective Surgery What are the key elements? What are the pre-op & post op procedures  Get prescriptions filled ahead of time and get a list of potential medical equipment that might be needed. Who will be contacting you once the surgery is complete (make sure they have the correct phone number)  Keep in mind: Point 1 Be pro-active in thinking through your loved ones needs Point 2  Ma...

How to be a Remote Advocate What to do when you cannot be on-site to advocate for a loved one. What are the key elements? Have your loved one put you on speaker Try other avenues to get information Be creative in your approach (think outside the box) For more information you can visit our website at LifewithDignity.net or like us on facebook @ LivingLifewithDignity. Thank you for listening today,...

How to Pick an Attorney In this episode Sue and Fran discuss common concerns and advice regarding estate planning and asset protection. Pick an attorney before the crisis to ensure a wise decision Choose an attorney with experience in a specific area e.g. estate planning, medicare, elder law or disabled children Ask for attorney referrals from trusted others Have a free initial meeting to see if y...

CareScout Services with Larry Nisenson In this episode Fran and Sue interview Larry Nisenson,l, SVP and Chief Commercial Officer at Genworth. In this episode Larry chats about CareScout, a growing, dynamic market leader providing care management support services and long term care focused risk management solutions that help companies and families keep their promises to make the best informed decis...

Alternative Solutions to Mental Anguish Brain Help with Oils In this episode Fran and Sue welcome Dr. Jennifer Stelter (Clinical Psychologist) and Jessica Ryan (Biologist and Educator) to the podcast. All four discuss alternative methods of working with stressed caregivers and patients with dementia and mental health issues, amidst COVID-19.  There are many solutions to mental anguish beyond pharm...

Reducing Stress with Scents  Fran shares ways to relieve stress through Aroma Therapy. Sue asks Fran to share scents and examples that are soothing during times of stress. Some examples include Lavender. It's important to dilute with coconut oil for wound care and scrapes. If not diluted, it can actually stimulate.  You don't want that! You can also diffuse oils in water and steam into the air or...

Fran and Sue are sequestered and share what they've learned from the experience. Topics discussed include how to be prepare yourself and your loved ones. Three key elements discussed: You don't know what you don't know, until you do How you can pro-actively prepare yourself for emergencies What conversations should you have with your elderly loved one to help them prepare Take time to create  a li...