If It's Not One Thing, It's Joanna

In this episode, we kick off a brand-new series focused on navigating the complex world of long-term care insurance (LTC). Financial services veteran Raymond Lavine breaks down why the industry has historically gotten a "bad rap" and why so many people skip out on purchasing these specialized plans. Far from just an "old geezer" issue, Raymond highlights how unexpected illnesses, accidents, and ea...

In this moving episode, we sit down with environmental scientist turned dementia care advocate Jim Mangi, who opens up about his unexpected journey caring for his wife, Kathleen, following her early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Driven by his experience over their 17-year journey, Jim founded  Dementia Friendly Services , a grassroots, independent, nonprofit aimed at helping individuals with dement...

We dive back into the vital world of caregiving resources, emphasizing that finding support is an ongoing journey rather than a one-time task. Karin shares a serendipitous encounter at a dog park that introduced them to Julie Lowenthal from AgeWays (formerly the Area Agency on Aging) - an organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families navigating aging and dementia. We discuss the ov...

In this much needed episode on mental health, the siblings sit down with Karen Faith Gordon, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in aging and elder care. After properly exorcising society's memetic tic of the "entitled Karen," the new soul sisters and Andrew dive into how to address the mental and emotional challenges around senior care. From seniors living with dementia to their famili...

In this episode, we embrace the gray areas of dementia care with help from Dr. Catherine Madison, author of  Navigating Memory Loss: Essential Questions And Answers On Alzheimer's And Dementia . Dr Madison introduces us to anosognosia - when we don't remember what we don't remember - and how to cope with it. We discuss the challenge and necessity of unlearning things we were taught as children, an...

Closing our series on Senior Tech, we are joined by Juliet Holt Klinger, a gerontologist and dementia care expert with 40 years of experience, including leadership at the nation's largest senior care network. Juliet brings a wealth of knowledge from her successful career and pivot to emerging technologies. In this fascinating discussion, we explore how AI and other tech tools are shaping the futur...

How much tech is too much tech when monitoring a senior? After the siblings share how they navigated this balance with Joanna, they are joined by the team at Nomo Smart Care—an innovative monitoring system designed to help seniors maintain independence while giving caregivers much-needed peace of mind. President David Baer and Vice President of Marketing Lindsay Park stop by to discuss their uniqu...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Rabbi Josh Bennett from Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan. We explore the role of spirituality, the impact of Jewish traditions, and how faith and community support us through life's challenges, including caring for a loved one with dementia. Don't miss the Rabbi's deep dive into Karin's spiritual perspective and his thoughts on what 'religious'...

Continuing our status chats about Mom's journey since moving back home, we welcome back to the pod the amazing Latrice, one of our Dream Team care members. She gives us her take on what she has seen looking after Joanna over these past 20 months. Before Latrice's feedback, Karin shares community notes about two of our favorite local resources - Durst-Ace Lumber in Berkley Michigan (acehardware.com...

Karin and Andrew are joined by their sister, Julie, to share firsthand observations from over a year of caring for their mom in her home. The siblings highlight surprising signs of some gentle decline, along with incredible steadiness. They discuss subtle behavior changes like increased walking around the house, fluctuating memory and mild escape attempts! These are all signals worth noticing, as...

In this conversation, Stacey McCandlish shares her family's journey, focusing on the dynamics between siblings as they navigate rapid changes in their parents’ care and, ultimately, a cross country move. The discussion highlights the importance of communication, planning, and the roles each family member plays in ensuring the well-being of their parents. Through personal anecdotes, Stacey illustra...

In the final episode of our three-part series on under-utilized resources, we chat with Hope Dudek of Michigan Palliative and Hospice Care. Hope walks us through the medical aspects of hospice care, exploring its holistic approach to patient care, the role of caregivers, eligibility misconceptions, and the importance of comfort and quality of life. Hope shares insights on navigating medical decisi...

Our 3-part series on hidden gem resources continues as we sit down with Leslie Katz, Director of Patient Services at the Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network (JHCN). After we share Joanna's wonderful experience with JHCH, Leslie shines a light on their crucial non-medical support for seniors with life-limiting illnesses. She dispels common misconceptions by showing how broad hospice care can be,...

In the first of a new series on little-known resources, we chat with Sharilyn Rowe of The Brown Center - an adult day care for seniors with dementia. We explore effective strategies for engaging participants through various activities and cognitive stimulation techniques. The discussion emphasizes the importance of helping seniors keep their bodies and minds active, even in decline, and Sharilyn g...

This is the first time that we actually interviewed a senior, our family friend Sheila Stone. She shares her experiences with the challenges of aging, especially in light of her family history, where she witnessed her mother and sister live with dementia. She discusses her past career, relationships with her children and the importance of maintaining independence as she ages. Sheila offers unfilte...

In the final episode of the three-part series on family caregiving, lifelong friend Jill Schumacher joins the siblings to discuss the challenges of caring for her mom, even with caregivers in the house 24 hours a day. Through humor and heartfelt stories, they explore the balance of personal and professional life and share the ups and downs of caring for an aging parent. Karin and Andrew then offer...

Karin and Andrew continue to delve into the challenges and triumphs of caregiving within families. They are joined by Alyssa Riddle, a yoga instructor who has been a caregiver for her father since a young age. Alyssa shares her journey of balancing her personal life with the responsibilities of caregiving, offering insights into the emotional and practical aspects of this role. The conversation to...

The siblings kick off their 3-part series exploring the experiences of family members thrust into the role of caring for aging parents—examining not just the day-to-day work, but also the strategies these caregivers use to cope with the emotional toll. In Part 1, they share their personal journey caring for Joanna, and sit down with longtime friend Howard Krugel, who stepped in when his father bec...

Karin and Andrew discuss the progression of Joanna's care costs, including how she was able to afford assisted living, and then her home care program. To get a wider handle on senior care cost, the siblings are joined by Richard Eisenberg, the former managing editor of Next Avenue, the PBS site for the 50+ crowd. Through his books, freelance articles and podcast Friends Talk Money , Richard has be...

Andrew and Karin discuss the challenges of taking care of Joanna before they were able to get the care she needed. Then, they talk to a valued member of the JoBabe Dream Team, Latrice, who shares her experiences in the care world and what people should be looking for when finding the right care for a loved one. Chapters (00:00:00) - The Top Podcast in the Universe Is at 99%. (00:02:17) - The Sound...

Andrew asks Karin to share how she was tasked with handling Joanna’s financial affairs as she started to decline. Estate attorney Russell Wise of Wise & Wise, PLC in Southfield, Michigan joins the siblings to offer legal advice that will be invaluable for anyone who is caring for an aging loved one. Chapters (00:00:03) - How to Care for a Senior With dementia (00:01:20) - Alzheimer's Caregivin...

Andrew and Karin’s sister, Julie Halpert, joins them to discuss Joanna’s dementia progression and eventual Alzheimer's diagnosis. Dr. Anthony Emmer of Neurology Consultants of Southfield, Michigan discusses different types of dementia, advancements in detection and medication, and advice on how to care for loved ones as they progress through this neurodegenerative disease. Chapters (00:00:11) - Di...

Andrew and Karin chronicle the journey of Joanna’s entrance, and eventual exit, from assisted living. Senior care facility director Kelleigh Peddy joins them to discuss her experiences with senior living communities and how she helped Joanna’s kids make the decision to move their mom in and, eventually, back to her home. Chapters (00:00:02) - How to Care for a Dementia Patient (00:01:48) - How to...