The Value of Wrinkles

Shownotes: In this insightful interview, Erin Pickrell, owner and director of Griswold Home Care in Chevy Chase, shares her journey into the home care industry, the importance of compassionate caregiving, and what it takes to run a successful home care agency. Discover how her background, passion for helping others, and entrepreneurial spirit drive her work in aging services. Highlights: 00:00 - I...

Shownotes: Celebrating Careers and Aging Month, I explored various career options in aging services, shared personal insights, and highlighted the rewarding nature of working with older adults. Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction to Careers in Aging 02:39 - Exploring Opportunities in Aging Services 05:35 - The Importance of Working with Older Adults Resources mentioned: Prepare to Care Course: https:...

Shownotes: In this conversation, Beka shared about the unique experiences of child caregivers, drawing from her personal story of caring for her mother who has multiple sclerosis. Together, we explore the emotional challenges that come with caregiving at a young age, the sense of purpose it can bring, and how often youth caregivers go unrecognized. We also discuss why it's so important for childre...

Shownotes: In this episode of the Value of Wrinkles podcast, I share four practical and heartfelt ways we can use the upcoming Winter Olympics as a meaningful way to connect with our aging parents and grandparents. From simple conversation starters to opportunities to serve with intention, these ideas are designed to help us build deeper intergenerational connection, understanding, and respect rig...

Shownotes: In this episode, we continue our conversation with Loretta Veney and reflect on how Legos became an unexpected source of emotional support and communication during her mother's long journey with dementia. Listening to Loretta share how therapeutic play strengthened family bonding, encouraged memory sharing, and deepened their intergenerational connection reminded me that caregiving does...

Shownotes: In this episode, I sit down with Loretta Veney and listen to the beautiful way Legos became a bridge for communication during her mother's journey with dementia. She shares how something as simple as play created moments of joy, creativity, and deep emotional connection within her family, even during hard seasons. I was moved by how these small acts of engagement supported both her moth...

Shownotes: In this episode, I talk about why January visits can be some of the most meaningful moments for our aging parents and loved ones in senior living. After the holidays pass and the noise fades, loneliness can settle in and that's when connection matters most. I share how my experiences in caregiving have shown me the importance of consistent family visits and intergenerational connection,...

Shownotes: In this episode, I share why caregiving and aging have taught me so much about the power of intergenerational connection, especially during the holidays. I talk about what I've learned from bringing kids into senior living communities whether through a holiday caravan, community service, or simple family activities and how we can help children overcome fear and uncertainty when visiting...

Shownotes: In this episode, I share why the greatest gift you can give a grandparent this Christmas isn't something you buy but it's genuine connection. I talk about how older adults often feel unseen or overlooked, and why asking questions, listening, and spending intentional time with them matters so much. I also introduce the Grandkid Investigator Kit, a simple tool I created to help families s...

Shownotes: In this special milestone episode, I'm celebrating something that still feels surreal: 100 episodes of the Value of Wrinkles podcast. Join me as I take you behind the scenes of this four-year journey from recording under a blanket during COVID, to late night sessions past midnight, to navigating tech changes, long pauses, and everything in between. You'll hear honest reflections, funny...

Shownotes: In this episode, I share how I approach Thanksgiving and the tricky family conversations that can come with it. I talk about why I try to be proactive during holiday gatherings, using simple communication tips to keep things warm, positive, and enjoyable for everyone. I also share how I redirect discussions to avoid unnecessary controversy including one of my favorite strategies: creati...

Shownotes: In this episode, I reflect on Thanksgiving and why it always reminds me to slow down and truly appreciate family. As I think about mortality and how limited our time together really is, I'm reminded of how precious even the smallest family moments can be. I share my own thoughts on what it means to cherish relationships while we still can and to express appreciation for the people who m...

Shownotes: In this episode, I talk with Leah Bradley from Empowering the Ages about how intergenerational programs can strengthen families and communities. Leah shares inspiring stories from their community programs, including a summer camp that brings grandparents and grandchildren together for learning, laughter, and volunteer opportunities. I love how she connects this work to school readiness,...

Shownotes: In this episode, I share why I'm so passionate about building intergenerational connections between kids and grandparents. I introduce the GrandKid Investigator Kit, a tool I created to help families spark meaningful interactions that bring generations closer together. Drawing from my experiences in senior living communities, I talk about how youth engagement, parenting tips, and even s...

Shownotes: In this episode, I share my experiences working with older adults who've lost their ability to speak clearly. I talk about the emotional impact of losing one's voice and what it's taught me about listening with compassion. I also reflect on how culture, especially in Asian families, influences the way we care for and advocate for our elders. My hope is to remind us all to slow down, pay...

Shownotes: In this episode, I share why I believe we should celebrate and honor our older loved ones while they're still with us. Too often, we wait until after they're gone to express how much they mean to us. I talk about simple, meaningful ways to show appreciation now and build stronger connections with the older generation. My hope is to inspire you to start celebrating your parents and grand...

Shownotes: In this episode, I share why teaching kids to honor and acknowledge their elders matters so much to me. I talk about the power of small gestures like saying hello or using someone's name and how they can build real respect across generations. I also share practical ways parents can nurture this value in their children, helping them see the worth in every older adult they meet. My hope i...

Shownotes: In this episode, I share how the Grandkid Investigator idea first began. After writing The Value of Wrinkles, I realized I wanted my own kids to connect with their grandparents now, not decades later. What started as a simple experiment at home has grown into a program designed to make intergenerational connections fun, meaningful, and lasting. Join me as I tell the story behind it all...

In this episode, I share how the Grandkid Investigator concept began and why it matters to me as both a mom and a granddaughter. I talk about the challenge of helping kids connect with their grandparents in today's busy, distraction-filled world, and why it's important to make those connections fun and meaningful. You'll hear the inspiration behind the program and why I believe it can help familie...

Recently I implmenented the GKI Kit at an assisted living. It was exciting, but don't et me wrong, I had fears! Would kids want to hang out with residents? Would these residents be alert and willing to converse? Will the connection happen? Will the kids complain and be bored? Will that hour be forever? In this episode I discuss the fears that I had in implementing an intergenerational program. "Wi...

This episode is designed for senior living and senior care organizations looking to create meaningful intergenerational programs. How can you keep both kids and older adults safe, engaged, and connected during activities in assisted living or long-term care? Isabel shares six practical tips for scheduling and managing intergenerational programming so it benefits children, parents, and residents al...

Why don't kids visit senior living communities more often? In this thought-provoking episode, we dive into a surprising truth: many senior care communities are hesitant to welcome children—despite the well-known benefits of intergenerational connection. As a mom, aunt, coach, and longtime advocate for bridging generations, I share insights from my experience working with assisted living and nursin...

While my daughter's away at summer camp and my husband's camping with our boys, you'd think I'd be enjoying some rare alone time—but honestly, I just want to hear from them. In this episode, I reflect on how something as simple as a letter or a quick update can mean everything—whether you're a kid at camp or a parent later in life. I also share a fun camp letter-writing hack and my second chance w...

Today we're talking about how shared experiences like family vacations can be beneficial because they allow us to spend time with family in different settings. Highlights: If you want to speed up the bond between the grandkids and the grandparents spend time together in different scenarios. How spending time together in general helps us bond with others. Our family's first cruise and how we spent...

You've heard my stories about our grandparents—now it's time to hear from my cousin Jeremy! He grew up in Canada and didn't see them as often, but his memories of Mama and Yeye (or Poh Poh and Goong Goong to him) are just as special. It's a sweet reminder that even if you live far from your grandparents, you can still have a meaningful connection. FREE MISSION: Grab a free mission from the Grandki...