Caregiver Crossing

There are a lot of things to look forward to as we age, and they don’t get nearly enough attention. That’s why today’s episode is dedicated to celebrating the perks of aging! Tina and Terri dive into discussion about what they’re looking forward to and what perks they’re already enjoying.     Email Tina: tina@joyshouse.org    Learn more about Joy’s House:  www.joyshou...

One of the keys to caring for our aging loved ones is understanding the things that worry them. Older adults may not feel comfortable raising these concerns with others, especially the younger members of their family. Therefore, it is important that friends, family, and caregivers have enough awareness to thoughtfully open the conversation, and work collaboratively to address these common concerns...

Most older adults will consider the option of downsizing, moving to a smaller home, and selling off unneeded assets. While this process can offer benefits to seniors and to their families in the long term, the process can be stressful. Mental, emotional, physical, and legal overwhelm are not uncommon. If you find that you or your loved one, has gotten bogged down by unknowns around downsizing, you...

There are various types of senior housing and levels of care to consider when searching the right senior living arrangement for you or your loved one. These are key details, as are costs, culture, cleanliness, and location. It’s a lot to navigate, which is why we’ve brought in an expert. Dave Holder is owner and Senior Living Advisor at Assisted Living Locators, a no cost service to seniors and th...

Caregiving can become so central to our lives and identities that it can be difficult to image life after. How do we transition when our loved one moves out of the home? How do we transition once they’ve passed on? Where do we find support and purpose? How do we navigate grief? Here to share her personal story, we have Jane Bentley, a former Joy’s House caregiver and dear friend.   Email Tina...

Oral health is incredibly important to overall health. Normally the body's natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, keep bacteria under control. However, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease. Clinical studies have linked periodontal disease to stroke, diabetes, Alzheime...

The CDC reports that 1 in 4 adults over the age of 65 fall each year. While anyone at any age can have a fall, physical changes, health conditions, and the medications used to treat those conditions, make falls my likely as we age. Likewise, the consequences of a fall become more severe as we age. That’s why its so important to learn how to effectively manage fall risks, improve strength, balance,...

Today, we are excited to welcome back Anna Howard, JD. Anna is a Partner and Managing Attorney at Severns and Howard, and elder law and estate planning firm located in Carmel, Indiana. Anna was on the show about a year ago, and she had so much good information we couldn’t pack it all into one episode. One important topic that we didn’t get to in our last interview (linked below) was the topic of p...

The population of the United States is aging. Today, there are more than 46 million older adults aged 65 and older living in the U.S.; by 2050, that number is expected to grow to almost 90 million. Between 2020 and 2030 alone, the time the last of the baby boom cohorts reach age 65, the number of older adults is projected to increase by almost 18 million. As the number of seniors in our community...

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...