The Caregiver Community

When a loved one is hospitalized, family caregivers often find themselves overwhelmed, worried, and unsure of what to do next. In this episode, host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity is joined by Dr. Bibhusan Basnet , MD, MS, FACP, Board-Certified Internal Medicine Physician and Hospitalist; Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, eHealthyInfo talk with an internal medicine physician about the critical...

Ask any person over the age of 65, and they’ll tell you they’re losing muscle mass and strength – quickly! In fact, adults can lose 3-8% of their muscle mass every decade after the age of 30! That’s why this podcast will address the body’s progression as we age – and how caregivers can help their aging loved ones stay fit well into their senior years.  Joining our host Karen Summey, MA, ACAPcommun...

Loss of mobility can happen gradually or suddenly, making everyday activities more challenging for older adults and the families who support them. In this podcast, join host Karen Summey, MA, ACAPcommunity Project Manager and Podcast Host, Active Family Caregiver and Mr. Bill Price, Owner, Mobility Scooters and More, Roswell, GA as they explore how to recognize when it may be time to consider mobi...

What exactly does an aging life care manager do—and when should families consider one? In this episode, host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity and Ms. Tracy Johnson, RN, CCM, CDAL; Registered Nurse Care Consultant, Aging Life Care Professional, Certified Dementia Care Practitioner, and CEO of Premier Care Management of Georgia , break down the care management process, how it differs from home care, warn...

More than 275,000 Americans die each year due to medication mismanagement, and 750 older adults are hospitalized every day from medication-related harm. And, on average, individual Americans waste about $6000 every year on unnecessary medications. In this episode, host Karen Summey, MA ACAPcommuntiy welcomes Dr. DeLon Canterbury, PharmD, BCGP, President/CEO of GeriatRx , Inc. We take a look at ove...

It’s a busy and stressful time of year! But all times of the year can be stressful for caregivers. While we can’t always change that, we can manage that stress a bit better by using creativity for self-care, in almost any environment. Specifically, we’re talking about art for non-artist caregivers and their loved ones. It’s the process of de-stressing that counts – not the result! Join Karen Summe...

Caring for an older adult often means finding ways to make daily life safer, easier, and more enjoyable. This month host Karen Summey, MA, ACAPcommunity is joined by Jane Everson, PhD, and Catherine Hague, Retired English and Creative Writing Teacher. All three are active family caregivers and will offer helpful tips from the front lines of caregiving, as well as ideas for the perfect holiday (or...

In this episode host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity is joined by Julie Packer, Director of Professional Relations, Carolina Caring . Karen and Julie take a look at Hospice and Palliative Care services, dispel some preconceived notions, get an inside look at what these programs are, how they work, and who is eligible to receive them. It’s more than you think!   For information on additional podcasts,...

More than 63 million adults in the United States are caregivers. That’s more than one in four adults in our nation! They’re our family, our neighbors, and our co-workers. Are you among them? Do you know some of them? Or do you employ them? Join host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity and guest Mark Hensley, Associate State Director, Outreach & Advocacy, AARP North Carolina to hear more about the stat...

Advance care planning isn’t just a legal process – it’s a deeply human one. In this episode, we talk with an advance care planning expert about how emotions, relationships, and evolving life circumstances shape end-of-life decisions. Join host Karen Summey, MA, Project Manager, ACAPcommunity and guest Libby Dunahoo, Manager of the Advance Care Planning department for Northeast Georgia Health Syste...

Gardening is more than just a physical activity; it’s also deeply emotional to those who pursue it across a lifetime. It’s part of a person’s identity, grounding, and place in the world. As physical challenges ensue through the years, it’s important to know how to adapt gardening activities and tools along the way. Gardeners and their care partners can plan ahead to ensure this meaningful part of...

Caregiving can push anyone past their limits. In this conversation, trauma-informed strategist Christy Shi Day shares how understanding our nervous system can help us stay calm, connected, and grounded — even in the most challenging moments. Learn simple, science-based tools for emotional regulation, clearer communication, and more resilient relationships with your aging parents, your family, and...

Are we harboring outdated versions of our parents in our minds? What does it look like in practice to be a care partner for someone based on who they are now? Host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity is joined by Dr. Corinne Auman for a discussion about how we can engage in deeper conversations with our parents to know how they have evolved over time. Then, learn how to adapt your approaches to truly meet...

Helping Your Loved Ones Stay Strong and Healthy as They Age...In this episode of the Caregiver Community host Karen Summey, project manager for ACAPcommunity , is joined by Dr. Mitchell Straub, owner and founder of Vital Rehab and Wellness in State College, PA . Join Karen and Mitchell as they explore the intersection of well-being and physical therapy - and how care partners can spot signs that t...

What does it mean to be a caregiver? What impacts exist for both the caregiver and the care recipient(s)? Join host Karen Summey, project manager for ACAPcommunity , and Frances Hall, Founder and Executive Director of ACAPcommunit y, as they talk about the joys and challenges of caring for aging parents and other adult loved ones. This episode of The Caregiver Community is made possible by our pod...

How can we make sure the home is safe and comfortable for loved ones, regardless of age? Join host Karen Summey, project manager for ACAPcommunity , and Rev. Jim Luck, retired Aging in Place and Universal Design specialist, as they discuss areas of the home to consider and strategies for keeping loved ones safe in the home. To view the slides from the presentation in this episode please click this...

Supporting an aging loved one, particularly from a distance, can include unique challenges. In this podcast, Frances Hall, Founder & Executive Director of ACAPcommunity is joined by Dr. Cheryl Greenberg , a life coach for seniors and their families, presents insights into understanding loved ones’ needs from a distance, steps for effectively addressing the concerns, and some of the particular...

LGBTQIA+ adults take on caregiving roles for older adults more frequently than their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Who are these caregivers and their lived experiences? What opportunities exist to support LGBTQIA+ people needing care and LGBTQIA+ caregivers? In this episode, Frances Hall, Founder & Executive Director of ACAPcommunity is joined by Dr. Joel G. Anderson, PhD, CHTP, FGSA – Pro...

For a variety of reasons, underserved populations – rural, elderly, low education, minority groups, etc. – often experience barriers to accessing healthcare, and their caregivers find particular challenges to providing needed care. In this podcast, interviewers Frances Hall Founder & Executive Director, of ACAPcommunity , and AJ Kerley Director of Professional Relations at PACE@Home , will dis...

In the past 20 years, the US has experienced multiple types of disasters that have devastated lives and communities. In this episode, host Frances Hall, Executive Director of ACAPcommunity is joined by Karen Scallan, Owner/Advocate of Special Needs and Parent Support Services of Louisiana. Karen, a nationally recognized expert in disaster preparedness and a survivor of Hurricane Katrina offers spe...

Oral health and oral care often can be among the challenges experienced by aging persons and their caregivers. Host Frances Hall, Executive Director of ACAPcommunity is joined by Dr. Natalie Whitaker, a dentist and nutritionist, as they discuss oral health and its impact on overall health, and how dentists can aid in improving the quality of life for an older adult and their caregiver. This episod...

Approximately 40% of all unpaid caregivers are men. Although there may be differences sometimes in how men and women approach caregiving, all offer vital and needed support for loved ones. In this podcast, host Frances Hall Executive Director ACAPcommunity is joined by Bob Cain ( Piedmont Home Care ), Mark Hensley ( AARP North Carolina ), and Bruce McReynolds ( Griswold Home Care, Guilford County...

Caregiving is the process of providing assistance and support in meeting the daily needs of another person. For caregivers of older adult loved ones, anticipating life after caregiving can be difficult for a variety of reasons. Join host Frances Hall, Executive Director of ACAPcommunity , and Rev. Gary Newsome Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life, Lake Prince Woods Retirement Community, Suffolk...

In this episode of The Caregiver Community, host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity is joined by guest Jon Camp, former TV news reporter/anchor and founder of Ever Living Memories . Jon joins the podcast to share both the importance and logistics of cataloging the highlights of your lived experience and offers suggestions on how to preserve those memories and moments for future generations to learn from...

Sometimes, we hear the term “assistive technology” in relation to older adults. But what exactly is that? How can assistive technology help my aging loved one or me, as the caregiver? Host Frances Hall, Executive Director of ACAPcommunity welcomes Samantha Westrich, a speech and language pathologist from the NC Dept. of Health and Human Services , who will help us understand how technology and ass...