Caregiver Crossing

This April (Parkinson’s Awareness Month) we want to shine a spotlight on an incredible organization that helps people living with Parkinson’s and their caregivers (ie. Cornermen) fight back. Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative movement disorder which can cause deterioration of motor skills, balance, speech, and sensory function.  The Parkinson’s Foundation estimates there are more than 1 mi...

This week Tina and Terri discuss how to best prepare for your doctor’s visits. In the past, the doctor typically took the lead during appointments, and patients followed along, but today, a good patient-doctor relationship looks more like a partnership. You and your doctor can – and are expected to - work as a team, along with nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, and other healthcare provide...

This week Tina and Terri, interview Kate Washington, writer, editor, recipe developer, and author of Already Toast: Caregiving and Burnout in America . Already Toast  tells the story of Kate’s struggle to care for her seriously ill husband, offering a revealing look at the role unpaid family caregivers play in a society that fails to provide them with structural support. Buy the Book: https:/...

We know that it is important for seniors stay active and social to be healthy and happy. However, seniors may struggle to find fitness centers and social spaces that are tailored to their needs. Prime Life Enrichment Center is a senior center in Carmel, Indiana that seeks to fill that gap by providing a wide range of programs that promote independence, wellness, and socialization for those age 50...

What if having your next meal delivery was not a matter of convenience but necessity? Meals on Wheels serves 2.4 million people nationwide who are unable to purchase or prepare the food they need. There are loved ones, parents, grandparents, and neighbors in virtually every community in America, that rely on their services to stave off hunger and isolation. We are joined today by Beth Gehlhausen,...

We have discussed on this show, the many ways that pets enrich our lives, and the ways specific benefits that the provide for the ill and aging. We have not discussed, however, how frequently seniors pet owners choose feeding their pet rather than feeding or caring for themselves. Fortunately, there is a response in motion. This December, CICOA launched a pilot program offering pet food and suppli...

There is no question that cultural beliefs shape social norms and values surrounding caregiving and the role of family and society in that care. In this week’s episode, Tina and Terri discuss the relationship between culture and caregiving and why cultural awareness is so important. We explore what we can learn from statistics, what we can learn from observation, and most importantly, what we can...

If you think death is a hard topic, this episode is for you. This week we are joined by Julie Pope.. Julie is an end-of-life doula, author, and creator of an award-winning barbeque sauce, a product designed as a conversation starter… on the topic of death, dying, and living our best lives now. Julie is dedicated to promoting healthy end-of-life conversations and care options for families in a mult...

This reprise episode features Stephanie Monroe, Executive Director of African Americans Against Alzheimer’s, the first national network created specifically to respond to the disparate impact of Alzheimer’s on African Americans. Stephanie shares some startling stats and talks about social determinants of health, the lack of attention to our brain health, and the need for more participation among m...

Can you drive safely while on medication? It depends. If managed correctly, yes. If not, the results can be disastrous. Over 50% of American seniors report driving while using 7 or more medications, often prescribed by multiple doctors. It is essential to understand how medications affect the body and how they interact with each other. In this week’s reprise episode, we interview Greg Seiter, the...

It’s cold outside, and you may be tempted to spend your free time cuddled up under a warm blanket, but don’t forget, whatever the weather it’s important to stay physically active. Check out this weeks reprise episode with special guest, Riley McClure from American Senior Communities for fresh ideas about how to keep active this winter. Have questions for Tina? Email her at tina@joyshouse.org Want...

Of the 141.1 million Americans who set New Year’s Resolutions only about half (53%) believe they can achieve them and only 8-9% percent stick to their goals throughout the year. If “New Year, New Me” hasn’t been working for you, but you don’t want the “Same Old, Same Old” in the New Year, this is the episode for you! In this special reprise episode of Caregiver Crossing, we speak with Jason Tomsci...

There are many benefits to pet ownerships. Interacting with – an animal can help decrease depression and anxiety, lower blood pressure, mitigate loneliness and agitation, and dull physical pain. Furthermore, caring for your own animal can lead to a solid routine, an increased sense of purpose, and more physically active lifestyle. In today’s episode, Tina and Terri discuss to ins and outs of pet o...

It is important for seniors to stay active, but finding and facilitating safe, accessible, meaningful, and enjoyable activities can sometimes be a challenge. We are joined today by Kristin Phillips, the Nutrition and Dementia Services Coordinator at CICOA, to provide some helpful tips for caregivers who plan and facilitate the activities of a loved one.   Kristin Phillips, AmeriCorps VISTA, N...

Good nutrition is important, no matter what your age. It gives you energy and can help you control your weight. It may also help prevent some diseases, such as osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. But managing your diet can be challenging, and managing someone else’s? That can be challenging too. But when we get it right – good nutrition can...

Art therapy has been shown to benefit people of all ages. Research indicates art therapy can improve communication and concentration and can help reduce feelings of isolation. This type of therapy has also been shown to lead to increases in self-esteem, confidence, and self-awareness. In this week’s episode, we are joined by art therapist, Jocelyn Fitzgerald to discuss the benefits that...

Closing a person’s estate after they die can be long and complicated process. It is not a single task, but many individuals, often unfamiliar tasks that must be done. Many families navigate this process with no outside support, but there are resources available that can help make closing your loved one’s estate more manageable. Today we are joined by Sarah Kendrick – founder of RHEA Services – a c...

In this week’s episode, Tina McIntosh and Terri Stacy entertain listeners with rollicking banter about the personal sleep habits along with some important statistics about a topic of universal human importance: sleep.   Do you have a question for Tina? Email her at tina@joyshouse.org   Want to learn more about Joy's House? Visit us at  www.joyshouse.org See Privacy Policy at https:/...

Everyone deserves quality end of life care, but finding services can be challenging, especially if the individual and/or their family has limited means. Fortunately, there are options available. Today we are joined by Madison Gonzalez, Executive Director at Morning Light, Inc., a local nonprofit that fosters nonprofit community services and programs in central Indiana for the terminally ill, senio...

In today’s episode, Tina and Terri are joined by Dr. Janetta Brown with the Indiana University School of Medicine here to speak with us about Care. Coach, an innovative digital platform that is designed to support people with dementia and their caregivers.   Care. Coach platform, and interactive avatars – we’ll talk more about those in a minute - combine human intelligence and compassion with...

Six years ago, Angie Matthews mother experienced a health event that changed their lives forever. Join us we speak with Angie about her journey into becoming a full time caregiver, the lessons she learned, strategies she developed, and advice she gives to others. Do you have a question for Tina? Email her at tina@joyshouse.org Want to learn more about Joy’s House? Visit us at www.joyshouse.org See...

Jessie Hillock is a licensed speech and language pathologist and dementia care consultant. Throughout her early career Jessie noticed gaps in the services that were available to dementia patients and their families through the medical system alone. She spoke with countless families and loved ones who expressed that no one had ever taken the time to thoroughly explain to them the stages of the prog...

Today, we are joined by Certified End-of-Life Doula and Elder Care Consultant, Barbara Marshall. Barb’s professional journey would be considered non-traditional by many. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication Systems Management during her mid-30s. While raising her children Barb returned to school in her mid-40s to earn her Master of Arts in Healthcare Communication. From there she sp...

Did you know that there is nearly a 70% that you will need some for of long-term care if you live past the age of 65? Given the high likelihood that you’ll need long-term care, and the high – and rising – cost of that care should you need it, it is best to plan ahead. In this episode, Tina and Teri are joined by financial planner, Eric Baker from Horizon Planning Group to discuss some common quest...

Research shows that one in ten adults over the age of 60 have experienced some form of elder abuse, that is some form of physical, emotional, or financial abuse. There are approximately 5 million cases reported annually in the USA, and that number has been increasing over time. In today's episode, Tina and Terri tackle the troubling topic of elder abuse. What is it? How do you spot it? And what do...