Caregiver Chats

Dr. Lakelyn is joined by family caregiver and dementia advocate Loretta Veney, to share ideas for meaningful activities for dementia caregivers. Watch the video version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s1kynmTjkM Episode highlights include: - Why meaningful engagement is important - Considerations for tailoring activities to the individual - Ideas for activities that are affordable and fun H...

Dr. Lakelyn is joined by dementia expert and advocate Carrie Aalberts, to talk about the top 10 resources that all dementia family caregivers should know. Connect with Carrie Aalberts: - ⁠Dementia Darling⁠ - Instagram: ⁠@dementiadarling⁠   Episode highlights include the top 10 resources: 1 - Alzheimer's Association 2 - Support groups and online support communities 3 - Other dementia specific w...

Dr. Lakelyn is joined by author and caregiving expert Dr. Aaron Blight, to talk about the benefits of reflecting on your caregiving mindset and tools to help you do so. Episode highlights include: - Understanding how the caregiving journey evolves over time - Recognizing important inflection points in your caregiving - Learning a simple exercise to chart your caregiving journey - Adapting your car...

With severe weather hitting parts of the country, Dr. Lakelyn interviews Emergency Response Specialist Jen Masotja-Wright on important considerations for caregivers on staying safe. Listen in to learn more! Episode highlights include: - How to prepare for severe weather - What to include in an emergency kit - Discussing safety plans with your aging loved one - Important resources for safety Helpfu...

Dr. Lakelyn is joined by author and aging expert Maddy Dychtwald, to talk about how caregivers can take ownership of our own aging journey. They explore how embracing aging can help overcome societal biases and prioritize self-care.  Episode highlights include: - Why caregivers should care about their own aging journey. - Dispel myths and biases about aging. - Uncover how a person can take charge...

Dr. Lakelyn discusses the intersection of family caregiving for aging loved ones and finances. Episode highlights include: - The costs of caregiving - Impacts of the role on the caregiver’s finances - Options to pay for long term care - Tips for planning for caregivers’ financial well-being Helpful links from this episode: - AARP Caregiving Out-of-Pocket Cost Study - Genworth Cost of Care Report -...

Dr. Lakelyn explores the unique role that music plays in providing comfort, connection, and joy to both caregivers and their loved ones. She’s joined by music therapist Tara Jenkins who shares about the therapeutic qualities of music, expert insights, and practical tips on how to integrate music into caregiving routines.  Episode highlights include: - An overview of the therapeutic qualities of mu...

Dr. Lakelyn steps into the important topic of fall prevention. Many older adults worry about taking a spill, and family caregivers stress over what could happen if their loved ones fall. She is joined by fellow gerontologist April Ibarra to talk about tips for being proactive and preventing falls. Episode highlights include: - Importance of fall prevention - Potential risk factors for falls - Tips...

Dr. Lakelyn delves into a topic that affects millions of families worldwide: hearing loss in aging adults. As caregivers, it's crucial to understand the prevalence, challenges, and resources available to support our loved ones who may be experiencing this issue. Episode highlights include: - Signs of hearing loss - Challenges of untreated hearing loss - Discussion starters - Tips for caregiver...

Dr. Lakelyn answers caregiving questions from you - our listeners! These questions focus on mental health, dementia care tips and challenging emotions that come with caregiving. You can submit your questions to Dr. Lakelyn to be answered in a future episode. Email her at  caregiverchats@homeinsteadinc.com . Episode highlights include: - Challenges of caregiving for someone with mental health issue...

Dr. Lakelyn chats about driving safety for older adults and how families can navigate this challenging topic. Tune in for conversation starters, tips and resources that can help families find safe solutions. Episode highlights include: - Common conditions and age related changes that can affect driving - Potential signs that an older adult may be an unsafe driver - Conversation starters and how to...

Dr. Lakelyn dives deep into one type of service - home care- that can help support older adults and their caregiver. She's joined by Debbie Gross, a Home Instead franchise owner, who shares what families can expect when they look into home care services. Episode highlights include: - An overview of home care services - Scenarios and signs that someone might need home care - The benefits of hom...

It’s a new year, which is a great time to set your intention as a caregiver! In this episode, Dr. Lakelyn chats with Dr. Sarah Teten Kanter, author of the book Positive Caregiving, about how family caregivers can harness the power of positive emotions. Episode highlights include: - How to reframe the caregiving experience - An overview of the positive emotions that help to enrich caregiving  - Tip...

Dr. Lakelyn reflects on a great year of Caregiver Chats! She shares her top 5 favorite podcasts from 2023. You will want to be sure to tune in! Episode highlights include: - Dr. Lakelyn’s top 5 favorite episodes from 2023 Helpful links from this episode: - HomeInstead.com  To learn more about this podcast and to subscribe to our caregiving  newsletters, visit www.homeinstead.com/caregiverchats . S...

Dr. Lakelyn offers up tips on how to reduce the stress caregivers often feel around the holidays. She also offers up gift ideas for caregivers and older adults to help make this season merry and bright! Episode highlights include: - How to reduce your stress this holiday season - Simple modifications to holiday traditions  - Gift ideas for caregivers and older adults    Helpful links from this epi...

Often, when family members go home to visit mom or dad over the holidays, they start to realize more help is needed.  In this episode, Dr. Lakelyn talks about important signs to look for when visiting aging relatives this holiday season.  Episode highlights include: - Signs to look for that more help is needed - What to do when you see the signs - Resources to help support your aging loved one - T...

Dr. Lakelyn addresses the topic of setting boundaries as a caregiver. She is joined by Consuela Marshall, an Occupational Therapist, fellow podcaster and caregiving coach, to discuss tips for the best way to approach boundary setting. Episode highlights include: - Why boundaries can be helpful in the caregiving relationship - How a lack of boundaries can prevent self-care - Tips on the best way to...

Dr. Lakelyn talks about challenging family dynamics and how to navigate them. All families can feel the pressure of caring for an aging loved one. There are things that families can do to keep open lines of communication and address challenges that arise between family members.  Episode highlights include: - Factors that contribute to family dynamics - Reasons why caregiving related conflict commo...

Dr. Lakelyn explores the various options for care that are available for aging adults. She is joined by fellow podcaster and aging advocate Nicole Will, who discusses these options with Dr. Lakelyn and what family caregivers should consider when making care decisions. Episode highlights include: - Why it’s important to plan ahead for care - Options available for care across the care continuum  - I...

Dr. Lakelyn dives into practical tips for hands-on dementia care. She’s joined by author and dementia care expert David Troxel, who covers the importance of the approach to care and other tips like how to make bathing and personal care easier. Episode highlights include: - Overview of the best way to approach care - How to turn a “no” into a “yes” - Tips for bathing and personal care - Ideas for m...

For World Alzheimer’s Day, Dr. Lakelyn interviews Dr. Joanne Pike, the CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association. Dr. Pike shares about the latest updates in drug development and what it means for those living with the disease and their caregivers. She also shares the important resources that the Alzheimer’s Association offers. Listen in to learn more! Episode highlights include: - An overview of World A...

Dr. Lakelyn will clear up confusion around the terms Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. She will share more about how these diseases impact individuals and how to best support someone living with them. Tune in to learn more!  Episode highlights include: - Definitions of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia - 10 early signs and symptoms of Alzhiemer’s disease -  7 common dementia-related behaviors - Car...

In this episode, Dr. Lakelyn talks about the sandwich generation, those who are sandwiched in-between caring for an aging parent and raising their own children. At times, this generation is feeling the pressure on both sides making them feel more like a pressed panini sandwich. Tune in to learn more! Episode highlights include: - Insights on who makes up the sandwich generation - An overview of th...

In this episode, Dr. Lakelyn concludes a three-part series on caregiving relationships with a discussion on what it’s like to care for a relative who isn’t a spouse or parent, along with the unique challenges that face those caring for a non-relative. Dr. Lakelyn talks with fellow gerontologist and caregiver April Ibarra who has cared for a number of family members including her aunt, Joy. Episode...

In this episode, Dr. Lakelyn dives into part two of a three part series on caregiving relationships with a discussion on spousal caregiving. Dr. Lakelyn talks with Laurel Wittman, President and Board Member of Well Spouse Association. Laurel is a spousal caregiver herself and also helps to run a non-profit dedicated to supporting those who care for a spouse or partner.   Episode highlights include...