Caregiving Gen X Style

As GenXers we have a front row seat to the mistakes of our elders, and some of those mistakes end up directly impacting us as we become caregivers.  In this all new CGS, Jennifer and Steve talk about some of those errors, and how we can avoid them.  Also, learn about yet ANOTHER piece of bread in our caregiving sandwich. To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723...

Jennifer and Steve open up the mailbag!  In it they found several listener questions plus advice for a previous listener email.  Plus hear about the latest kerfuffle (we love that word) from Nana's assisted living over meal times. Links mentioned in this episode: Medicare.gov National Institute on Aging article on grief and loss To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text:...

In this all new CGS, Jennifer and Steve answer an email from a listener who's mother has taken over caregiving for her father, but probably shouldn't.  And, they also discuss how to switch power of attorney when the wrong person in the family was assigned, and is making a mess of things in one way or another.  Plus, learn about Steve and his "short pants". To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxsty...

Finding a home health agency or senior living community for your elderly loved one can be one of the hardest things to do.  If you don't already have a recommendation from someone, you may feel like you're just throwing a dart at a list and hoping for the best.  In this all new CGS, Jennifer and Steve talk with Ben Harder from US News and World Report, a national media outlet that is now providing...

In this VERY special CGS, Jennifer and Steve talk with Rachel Waters, a caregiver who rushed to her mother's side to be with her during her last days ... and was later charged with her mother's murder.  Note that this episode is significantly longer than our typical shows, but it's worth it to hear Rachel's story and what she's doing to try to ensure it's not repeated. Links mentioned in this epis...

Burnout is one of the most common side effects of caring for an elderly loved one.  In fact, it's nearly universal.  In this episode, we talk with veteran senior care professional and author Annalee Kruger, all about how to identify and avoid it. Links mentioned in this episode: The Invisible Patient (book) To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221  Twitter...

Nana and Gagi combined have been in some type of rehab facility nine times for a grand total of four or five months.  Because of this, we, their caregivers, consider ourselves something resembling experts in the field.  In this all new CGS, Jennifer and Steve (in between rambling a bit) talk about everything you need to know related to in-patient rehab for your elderly loved one. To contact us:  E...

In this all new CGS, Steve and Jennifer give their takes on a Substack article with advice on what to do in the first 90 days after your loved one receives a dementia diagnosis. NOTE: We had a little weirdness with our recording setup this time around.  Steve is working to try to figure out what's going on, but as a result our sound quality is slightly below what we're used to. Links mentioned in...

A very, very common caregiving conundrum is how to deal with having to tell your elderly loved one that it isn't safe for them to drive anymore.  Spurred by a listener question, Jennifer and Steve discuss how to handle the conversation about driving, and who you can bring in to help.  Also, hear about why Gagi's emergency pendant has been getting a workout, and why Nana had to order enough food to...

Remember back in the day when there used to be a "very special" episode of your favorite show?  That's what this is -- a very special episode!  Due to bad weather, Gagi and our daughter, Hannah, stayed with us for a time, and we talked them both into sitting down and recording a podcast episode.   To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221  Twitter:  https:/...

In this squirrel-filled CGS, Jennifer and Steve pass along fantastic advice from a veteran home health aide on how you can best help them to ensure your loved one is well cared for.  Plus, hear how Gagi and Nana handled the big Verizon outage last week (spoiler: it confused them) AND we have "How's your mom/dad/whatever" updates from listeners! To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com...

Happy New Year! In this episode, Jennifer and Steve run through some suggestions for New Year's resolutions for caregivers. Intro snippet of "Auld Lang Syne" is by Fresh Nelly, provided by the Free Music Archive. To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/genxcaregiving Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/caregivinggenxstyle

Sadness and even depression around the holidays is not uncommon, but it can be a problem faced by caregivers and care recipients in particular.  In this episode, Steve and Jennifer talk with therapist Emily West from Self Space in Seattle, Washington about what to do about it. Links mentioned in this episode: Self Space Seattle To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text:...

Taking a tour of a senior living community like assisted living, independent living, memory care, or even a nursing home is one of the more difficult things you can do as a caregiver, because the community only shows you what they think you want to see.  In this episode of CGS, Jennifer and Steve talk with a veteran senior living marketing professional.  She's the one who actually conducts these t...

In November 2022, a new podcast was born, dedicated to GenXers who find themselves taking care of their elderly parents or other loved ones.  In this episode, we celebrate our third birthday.  We talk about the past year, look forward to our fourth year, and give everyone (particularly Jennifer) the gift of bloopers and outtakes. To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text...

In this all new CGS, Jennifer and Steve discuss what hospice care is and is NOT.  Spoiler alert: It's not just sitting around waiting for your loved one to die.  Also, hear from a listener who has tips on how to handle hospice while you're in the middle of it. Links mentioned in this episode: The Living Phase, a Substack article by Dana Barnes To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com...

Planning is not for everyone, and when you're neck deep in a caregiving emergency it's hard to think about the future.  BUT, having a caregiving plan can be invaluable as you move through your journey.  In this episode, Steve talks Richard Wexler from APlan2Age, a new non-profit that provides templates and tips on how to get that plan started.  Also, learn about Gagi's recent hospitalization, whic...

The overwhelming majority of caregivers are women, but there are plenty of men out there who find themselves caring for elderly loved ones.  Men have advantages and, perhaps, disadvantages when it comes to caring.  In this all new episode of CGS, we talk about how men can use those strengths and overcome the weaknesses.   To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-72...

In this episode, we talk with Jennifer Lee (our Jennifer's name twin!) a financial advisor from Modern Wealth in Sarasota, Florida about the difficult conversation that ensues when you decide it's time to take over your loved one's finances.  Also, hear about how Nana's artistic "talents" came in handy with the salon in her assisted living facility. Links mentioned in this episode: https://modern-...

In this all new episode, Jennifer and Steve review a brand new survey about caregiving in 2025.  The study has a ton of revealing stats about who we are as caregivers, how the "caregiver class" is growing rapidly, and how we manage to get through this life that was somewhat chosen for us.  Also, hear how Nana suddenly got all sentimental, and then backslid immediately. To contact us:  Email:  care...

In this latest all-new Caregiving Gen X Style, Jennifer and Steve talk with Jon Levinson, co-founder of Clara Home Care.  He'll tell us about his unique business and also provide tips on how to hire in-home care to help you with your elderly loved one.  Also, we'll have some tips on battery backup devices for power outages, and learn why Steve volunteered to go live on a desert island.   Links men...

In this all new CGS, Jennifer and Steve talk about all of the preventative steps you should be taking to try to ensure there are fewer problems down the road.  Also, they discuss a reader email from Xena, Warrior Princess (this will make more sense when you listen).   PS: We blanked a little on the name of the "incident" episode that described why Nana was on the floor for an entire weekend.  If y...

In this all new CGS, Jennifer and Steve talk with Jeannine Bryant, a senior moving specialist.  Jeannine gives great tips on how to reduce the amount of unneeded stuff in your loved one's home long before they need to move to somewhere like assisted living or a nursing home. Links mentioned in this episode: Easy Rightsizing To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-...

In our second consecutive "travel" episode, Jennifer and Steve talk with a CGS listener who recently took an amazing and EPIC trip with her elderly mother-in-law.  She has a ton of tips for anyone brave enough to try something like she did.  Also, learn how Nana managed to create a little bit of "normalcy" in her life. To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1...

In the first ever episode of CGS that was *not* recorded at our dining room table, join us at the dinette table in our little camper for an episode chocked full of tips on how you, the caregiver, can get away for the weekend. To contact us:  Email:  caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/genxcaregiving Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/caregivin...