Manchester Living Podcast

 Meeting aging loved ones where they are is at the heart of this insightful episode featuring Sandi Levy, Director of Nursing for Cambridge Caregivers and Manchester Care Homes, and Lisa Kramer Morgan, Community Liaison at Cambridge Caregivers.  Together, they share practical strategies for communicating with and caring for older adults experiencing cognitive or physical decline. Through real-worl...

Care starts with yes—and yes starts with connection. But what does meaningful connection really look like, especially when caring for someone experiencing brain change?  In this episode of The Manchester Living Podcast, Brian Levy sits down with Sarah Hyde-Williams and Tammy Hooker to explore relationship-based care, the power of seeking permission, and how to truly meet individuals where they are...

Death doulas provide compassionate, nonmedical support to individuals and families navigating the end of life, filling gaps left by traditional hospice care. In this episode, nurse and death doula Jo Alch shares her journey from hospice nursing to becoming an advocate for patients and families, explaining how death doulas offer guidance, emotional support, and presence to create a more intentional...

Tonia Tomlin and Holly Clapp join host Brian Levy to shed light on the complexities of hoarding disorder, a serious mental health issue often misunderstood by the public. Drawing from their personal and professional experiences, they explore the emotional challenges, the long journey toward recovery, and the critical role of empathy and therapy in supporting affected individuals and their families...

What if you could choose the time, place, and company for your final moments—ensuring a peaceful, dignified death on your own terms? Dr. Robert L. Fine, Director, Office of Clinical Ethics and Palliative Care, Baylor Scott & White Health, unpacks the complex realities of medical aid in dying (MAID), hospice, palliative care, and end-of-life decision-making. Dr. Fine sheds light on how individu...

Josh Hickman, author of Forgetting, shares the raw and heartfelt journey of caring for a difficult parent with dementia in this deeply personal episode of The Manchester Living Podcast. Host Brian Levy and Josh explore the complexities of caregiving when the loved one’s personality challenges intersect with cognitive decline. From the early signs of cognitive decline to the isolation of being a ca...

In this episode of The Manchester Living Podcast, host Brian Levy is joined by senior care experts Godwin Dixon (co-founder of Teresa’s House, an assisted living and memory care community) and Melissa Orth (President & CEO of Legacy Senior Communities) to explore the full spectrum of elder living options. They break down key terms and choices — from independent living and assisted living to me...

Therapy dogs can spark joy and connection where words sometimes can’t. In this episode, Brian Levy speaks with Jennifer Hudson, PhD and Cathy Zelzer about their experiences bringing dogs into elder care settings. Discover how these visits help lower anxiety, encourage social interaction, and bring meaningful moments to seniors and their families. http://www. ManchesterLivingPodcast.com

World-renowned dementia expert Teepa Snow returns to The Manchester Living Podcast with fresh insights into dementia care. In this episode, she offers practical advice for families and caregivers navigating the challenges of cognitive change.  Drawing from more than four decades of experience, Teepa shares her expertise and her signature positive approach to care — emphasizing effective strategies...

In this episode of the Manchester Living Podcast, host Brian Levy talks with Dr. Kenneth Cooper, founder of the Cooper Aerobics Center and widely known as the “Father of Aerobics.” Now in his 90s, Dr. Cooper shares his eight healthy steps for living longer, the importance of preventive medicine, myths about aging, and personal stories from decades of research and patient care.

What do you do when your aging parent becomes difficult, controlling, or emotionally draining? On this episode of The Manchester Living Podcast, host Brian Levy sits down with Dr. Paul Chafetz and life coach Alison Goldberg to explore why this happens—and what adult children can do to cope. From long-term personality challenges to dementia-related changes, they offer practical ways to manage the r...

Brian Levy welcomes Susanna Barton—author, gerontology grad student, and creator of “Grand Plans”—to discuss why it’s time to get real about aging. They explore caregiving, legal documents, financial planning, and how to approach tough conversations with aging parents. Susanna shares personal stories, practical advice, and the importance of preparing for the second half of life. http://www. Manche...

On this powerful episode of The Manchester Living Podcast, host Brian Levy is joined by Janice Bloom and Ileen McFarland to discuss Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)—a rare, often misdiagnosed neurodegenerative disease similar to Parkinson’s but far more aggressive. Janice and Ileen share deeply personal stories of navigating their husbands’ PSP diagnoses, including the physical, emotional, and...

On this episode of The Manchester Living Podcast, host Brian Levy welcomes Tonja Moon, founder of The Grandbaby Project, and Sandi Levy, RN, BSed, CDP, Director of Nursing at Manchester Care Homes, for a powerful discussion on the growing role of nurture therapy—also known as doll therapy—in elder care. Tonja shares the inspiration behind The Grandbaby Project, a heartfelt initiative that provides...

On this episode of The Manchester Living Podcast, host Brian Levy sits down with Alyce Levy and Dr. Bradley McDaniels for a powerful and inspiring conversation about living with neurodegenerative conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s Disease. Alyce opens up about her personal journey with MS—from the onset of symptoms to discovering purpose and building a supportive community....

In this special 50th episode of The Manchester Living Podcast, we explore how retirees are redefining their purpose and staying engaged beyond their careers. Mark Lewis and Bobby Goodman share their journeys from successful business owners to fulfilling new roles, including ambassadorships and companionship caregiving with Cambridge Caregivers.   Whether you're approaching retirement, already ther...

On this heartfelt episode of The Manchester Living Podcast, host Brian Levy sits down with Teepa Snow, a world renowned dementia care expert, and Sandi Levy, Director of Nursing at Manchester Care Homes and Cambridge Caregivers, to explore the deeply personal and often challenging journey of elder care and caregiving. Together, they share insights into supporting loved ones living with brain chang...

On this episode of the Manchester Living Podcast, Brian Levy sits down with guests Ken Umansky, Ambassador at Cambridge Caregivers, and Dr. Lorie Blessing, Medical Doctor at American Best Geriatrics. Together, they explore the emotional and challenging journey of dating after a spouse's diagnosis, the grieving process, family dynamics, and how families and friends cope. Join us as we discuss the i...

On this episode of The Manchester Living Podcast, Brian Levy explores the impact of AI in healthcare with Sam Stanton from Red Button AI and Dr. Raymon Aggarwal of Preferred Health Partners. They discuss AI’s role in improving efficiency, data analysis, and patient care, particularly for older adults. From early disease detection to personalized medical solutions, AI’s transformative power is exam...

On this episode of The Manchester Living Podcast, Brian Levy sits down with Dr. Ken Johnson, a cardiologist turned functional medicine specialist, and Michael Weinstein, founder of Rebel Chef, to explore alternatives to traditional Western medicine. They dive into topics like CBD, its impact on the body, and innovative therapies such as ozone treatment and NAD infusions aimed at promoting longevit...

This episode of The Manchester Living Podcast is a personal and insightful discussion about early-onset Alzheimer's, featuring Brian Levy in conversation with Jeff and Kim Kort along with Brenda Shuttlesworth. Jeff's diagnosis at just 56 years old offers a personal perspective on the disease, while the family shares their strategies for coping and the crucial role of support systems. This episode...

On this episode of the Manchester Living Podcast Brian Levy, Aqua Umoren, and Rochelle Brozgold-Ready provide an in-depth discussion on hospice care, a critical yet often misunderstood area of healthcare. The conversation clarifies the distinctions between palliative care and hospice, emphasizing that hospice is about providing comfort and quality of life rather than solely focusing on end-of-life...

On today's episode, we discuss the importance of caregiver training with two special guests from Manchester Care Homes and Cambridge Caregivers—Tammy Hooker, Human Resource Director, and Sandi Levy RN, BSed, CDP, Director of Nursing for Manchester Care Homes. We explore the unique training programs that equip our caregivers with essential skills, from stress management to specialized dementia care...

Welcome to Episode 42 of the Manchester Living Podcast! On this episode, Brian Levy sits down with two experts in elder care, Louis Stefanos and Lindsay Howell. Join us as they discuss the intricacies of guardianship and elder trust solutions, and share insights on managing difficult family dynamics and ethical challenges in elder care. They also address common misconceptions about guardianship an...