Southern Caregiver Resource Center

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Adrianna Yemhatpe, Director of Social Services at Travelers Aid Society of San Diego, an organization that has been connecting vulnerable populations to critical services for nearly 125 years. Listen to their conversation about free transportation options available to low-income older adults and people with disabilities in San Diego County, inc...

As we celebrate Men's Health month, we are revisiting a conversation about how to support the male caregiver. In this episode, we explore the unique challenges male caregivers face, from discomfort with hands-on personal care to the emotional stress they often feel pressure to hide. We also share practical advice on destigmatizing the ask for help, finding male-specific support groups, and why rea...

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Junie Baratti, Director of Operations at A Caring Touch Home Care, an organization specializing in senior care management with innovative approaches to supporting older adults and their families. Listen to their conversation about the emotional and practical challenges family caregivers face when deciding to bring professional help into the hom...

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with David Schwartz, an attorney with Elder Law and Advocacy, where he supports seniors on a broad spectrum of legal issues, from fraud to conservatorships to elder abuse, social security benefits, landlord and tenant disputes, and Medicare. Listen to their conversation about importance of planning ahead through legal documents like advance healthca...

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Eve Lefkowitz, Founder and Executive Director of Conversations To Remember, a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to alleviating senior loneliness and isolation through weekly intergenerational video calls with young adult college student volunteers. Listen to their conversation about fostering meaningful connections and building surrogate families...

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Dr. Barry Jacobs, a clinical psychologist, family therapist, author, and former family caregiver for his step-father and mother. Listen to their discussion about navigating complex relationships when caregiving, including how long-standing conflict can intensify stress and resentment during caregiving. They emphasize that negative feelings abou...

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with James Wieme, Clinical Counselor Program Supervisor at Elizabeth Hospice. Listen to their discussion about hospice, how to navigate end of life decision making, and the benefits of grief counseling for families.  Keywords: hospice, end of life, palliative care, grief, counseling

This month, we are revisiting a conversation about caregiving during the holidays. We hope you are enjoying this time of year with family and friends, but we also know this season can bring additional stress, new challenges, and the need to change expectations.  Please remember, our team is here to help you navigate your caregiving journey. Connect with us at SCRC.CARE or by calling 858.268.4432....

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Peter Alo, Community Service Supervisor at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery, Mortuary and Crematory. Listen to their discussion about the first steps for funeral planning, and how to approach the day similar to wedding planning. Peter discusses the importance of honoring traditions, customs, and religious practices, discussing wishes ahead of time,...

In this month’s episode of Let’s Talk Caregiving , Roberto and Marta speak with Cheryll Kidd, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice who was inspired by her caregiving journey to create a portable dental hygiene service for older adults and people with disabilities. Together, they explore the often-overlooked connection between oral health and overall well-being, especially in those...

In this month’s episode of Let’s Talk Caregiving, Roberto and Martha sit down with Dr. Michelle Jackson, director at Point Loma Nazarene University, to explore health equity, dementia research, and the lived experiences of Black women at risk for Alzheimer’s. Dr. Jackson shares the goals of her groundbreaking community-based research study—BWITS (Black Women Inflammation and Tau Study)—and why cul...

In this month’s episode of Let’s Talk Caregiving, Roberto and Marta sit down with Jocelyn Protopappas, Manager of Special Projects at SDSU’s Center for Excellence in Aging & Longevity (CEAL). Together, they dive into what it means to redefine aging , from inclusive city planning and caregiver empowerment to the importance of maintaining social connections later in life. Jocelyn also introduces...

In this month's episode, Roberto and Marta chat with Faezeh Nemati, VP of Operations at ComForCare in North San Diego. Listen to their discussion about the emotional and logistical challenges of relocating a loved one, navigating transitions in care, and how programs like transitional and respite care can offer vital support to overwhelmed families. Keywords: caregiving transitions, respite care,...

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Kelly Peters, Vice President of Community Impact at Rancho Coastal Humane Society. Listen to their discussion about the powerful connection between caregiving and pet companionship, highlighting programs that keep seniors and their beloved pets together. From pet-assisted therapy to senior adoption programs, learn how Rancho Coastal is supporti...

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Giselle, a bilingual lead clinician and Associate Director at the Cohen Clinic at Veteran Village of San Diego. Listen to their discussion about supporting military families, breaking mental health stigma, and the vital role of caregivers. Together, they explore how accessible, culturally sensitive, and collaborative care can empower hidden her...

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Victor, a Heath Promotion Specialist and Partner Relay program liaison for the County of San Diego Office of Border Health. Victor assists with providing emergency preparation information for multi-lingual and vulnerable communities by coordinating a network of trusted government and non-profit organizations in San Diego County. Listen to their...

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Dr. Zvinka Zlatar, a principal researcher for UC San Diego's Wise Lab, a wellness initiative focused on seniors. Dr. Zlatar discusses the impact of lifestyle interventions such as diet and exercise on our overall brain health, including blood flow, brain structure, and memory.  Keywords: brain health, brain aging, senior wellness, cognition, me...

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Deborah Ferrell, Director of Care Services for the San Diego chapter of the ALS Association. Listen to their discussion about understanding the nature and course of ALS, and the challenges and rewards of caring for someone with the disease. ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that impacts the cells of the brain and spinal cord.  Keywords: caregi...

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Uriko, a full-time family caregiver for both parents, ages 89 and 91.  Listen to their discussion about how Uriko became her parents' full-time caregiver and the changes she noticed in both of them that required full-time care.  Keywords: family caregiver, COPD, end-stage COPD, dementia, family caregiving, 

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha reflect on SCRC's services in 2024. There are over 490,000 unpaid family caregivers in San Diego, and SCRC plays an important role in connecting family caregivers with support and additional resources. Keywords: family caregiver, unpaid family caregiver, caregiver resources, support, San Diego caregivers

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Dr. Paula Desplats, an associate professor at UCSD who is currently researching the role of circadian alterations that trigger neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease. Paula discusses the cutting-edge research happening in San Diego and ways for caregivers and their loved ones to get involved in research.  Keywords: alzheimer's disease research,...

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Susan, advisory board member and volunteer for End of Life Choices CA, a non-profit that assists individuals and families with end of life planning and education. Susan helps de-stigmatize conversations around end of life planning and death and dying.  Keywords: end of life planning, advance care directive, palliative care, medical assistance i...

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Frank, a CFO for Coast Care, Cal Aim Department. Listen to their discussion about the benefits of respite services for caregivers. Although rewarding, caregiving comes with its own set of demands. Very often, family caregivers can find themselves managing their loved one's complex medical and cognitive issues over the course of months or years....

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Jennie, a yoga instructor who teaches gentle and chair yoga and movement to seniors. She also works one-on-one with individuals teaching caregivers how to engage with their loved ones through yoga, breathing techniques and short guided meditations. Listen to their discussion about how to use gentle movement in caregiving, how these practices ma...

In this month's episode, Roberto chats with Carrie, a Blind and Low Vision Social Worker from the Braille Institute. In her role, Carrie assists family caregivers who are visually impaired. Listen to their discussion about support services available to the visually impaired community, tips and life skills for caregiving with a visual impairment and vision changes as we age.  Keywords: vision, visu...