The Whole Care Network

This episode is focused on a topic that does NOT get enough attention: chronic pain. A 2022 study published in the journal Pain found that 50.2 million adults in the U.S. (that’s over 20% of us) reported pain on most days or every day… that makes it one of the most common chronic health conditions in America. Let’s rip the band-aid off! I’m joined by one of my favorite advocates for this important...

Can the health of your teeth affect the rest of your body? How does the inflammation in your gums impact other body systems? And why the heck is oral care separated from medical care??? Learn all of this and so much more with guest Dr. Joy Poskozim, DDS FSCD CDP, on this episode of CareLab! #CareLab #CareLabIt Find Care Equipment solutions at https://www.asksamie.com/ Find Caregiver Training at ht...

Welcome to the very first podcast episode of 2025! In this episode, Isabel dives into the art of setting meaningful goals to kickstart your year with intention and focus. She breaks down a powerful, straightforward process to help you clarify and achieve your aspirations: Define Your Long-Term Vision Start by asking yourself, "What do I truly want to accomplish in the long run?" Isabel emphasizes...

As a nurse and End of Life Doula, Kacie Gikonyo cares for the dying while working to make a lasting impact on end-of-life support. Kacie realized during the pandemic that she was called to work with the dying. She trained with INELDA (the International End of Life Doula Association) to become an End of Life Doula. Her special area of doula practice is with younger persons with a terminal illness,...

David Kessler is one of the world’s foremost experts on grief and loss. and his insights are invaluable. He is the author of six books, including his latest bestseller, Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief. David also coauthored On Grief and Grieving with Elisabeth Kubler-Ross which updated her five stages of grief to include the grieving process. David’s journey into grief and trauma work be...

As Editor-in-Chief of The Bucket, David Abend takes on the ultimate marketing challenge: rebranding death by showing how embracing mortality can lead to a more fulfilling life. The Bucket is an online magazine that helps people make choices to reduce deathbed regrets (DBRs). With a background in creative direction and copywriting, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief David Abend has spent decades helpin...

Our final podcast of the year is a guided reflection to celebrate and appreciate the moments that brought us joy and growth. It’s an opportunity to relive those memories and savor them once more. This reflection also invites you to take a moment of gratitude for the people who crossed your path this year and made a positive impact in your life. We warmly invite you to listen, reflect, and embrace...

Ever been in a situation where someone came home from the hospital or rehab.... shall we say, less than prepared? This may be just the episode for you. Dr. Marsha Neville, Ph. D., occupational therapist, and creator of the Discharge Planning Tool talks through the essentials of planning for a safe discharge. #carelab #carelabit Watch this episode at https://youtu.be/23LB9vP8Oig Find Caregiver Trai...

Does worrying about your loved one's meds stress you out? In this holiday edition of CareLab, our guest Leeanna Gantt, Founder of TookTake, shares the personal story behind her incredibly simple, effective solution for knowing whether or not someone took their medications. Happy holidays everyone! #carelab #CareLab #carelabit Watch this episode at https://youtu.be/rHL_Sb_BrJk Find Care Equipment s...

Sometimes, we set goals for ourselves and feel worried or frustrated when we don’t achieve them. In these moments, it’s important to “let it go” and remind ourselves that our worth as human beings isn’t tied to the goals we achieve. Goals are valuable tools to guide and motivate us, but they don’t define who we are. Life is full of unpredictable twists and turns, and sometimes not meeting a goal c...

Family caregiving is a profound and complex journey, particularly when faced with dementia or terminal illnesses. In this podcast episode, a replay of a Books & Chit Chat discussion, we delve into the experiences of Malia Kline, co-author of "Sisterly Shove." She shares her heartfelt story of caring for her aging parents and the intricate dynamics encountered with her physician sister and co-a...

Have a care situation you’re not sure how to handle? #CareLab proudly presents… The Situation Room. Emilia and Brandy take turns taking on surprise care scenarios…. then help figure out what to do and who to call for help. Find Caregiver Training at https://www.higherstandardscaregivertraining.com/ Find Care Equipment solutions at https://www.asksamie.com/ @CareLabPodcast @wholecarenetwork @AskSAM...

In this fascinating interview, Alyssa, an experienced executive coach, delves into how our bodies often signal what’s happening beneath the surface. She explains that grief, being an internal experience, is something we may deny or ignore. Grief doesn’t always stem from negative events—it can arise from positive changes too, or simply from losing something that once was. Ignoring grief doesn’t mea...

Licensed funeral director and End of Life Doula Christa Ovenell is busting myths about funerals, and sharing practical tips on how to plan a funeral service that reflects your values and needs. As a community-based Death Educator, Christa is the founder of Death’s Apprentice Education & Planning Inc., a company that specializes in holistic advance care planning for individuals and forward-thin...

Barbara Drake-Vera’s caregiving journey in Peru, caring for her American father with Alzheimer's, is a unique and eye-opening story that sheds light on cultural differences in elder care. While Barbara lived in Lima, Peru with her Peruvian husband, her widowed father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He lived in a four-bedroom home he previously shared with his late wife in Florida, USA, and it was...

Betsy Wurzel started her career as a Talk Show Host at Passionate World Talk Radio and the name of her show was Chatting with Betsy. Betsy is also is an unwavering advocate for Alzheimer's caregivers who shares her own heartfelt experiences caring for her husband, Matt Sloan. Her stories are candid and passionate and truly exemplify the transformative power of love, humor, and community in the dif...

Marty Schreiber has dedicated his life to advocating for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers. As the former governor of Wisconsin and author of the acclaimed memoir "My Two Elaine's", Marty draws from his own deeply personal experience as a caregiver for his wife of 61 years, Elaine. For eight years, Marty cared for Elaine in their home as her Alzheimer's progressed, but he now admits he was...

Holiday survival tips for caregivers!. The holidays are a time for joy, but for families caring for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia, they can be a source of stress and anxiety. Don't let the pressures of the season overwhelm you. In this episode, we offer essential tips to help you navigate the holidays with grace and resilience. Discover practical strategies for creating a calm environment,...

As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we often struggle with adapting activities to their changing abilities. Through our experiences, and what we’ve learned from others on their caregiving journeys, Nancy Treaster and I developed three important tips to help you create meaningful engagement that honors who our care receivers are today. Connect with us and...

Gradual changes in children and the elderly often go unnoticed, but when a noticeable shift occurs in an elderly loved one, it can lead to the need for challenging conversations. These moments can be delicate, whether you're the one initiating the conversation or on the receiving end of it. If you're the one starting the conversation, take time to understand the perspective of those you're speakin...

Allison Applebaum stood by her dad Stanley as his caregiving partner, respecting his wishes and maintaining his quality of life through the very end of his life. Allison was previously the Founding Director of the Caregivers Clinic at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the first program of its kind in the United States to provide comprehensive psychosocial care to family members and friends o...

After struggling with the demands of caring for her aging mother, Paige Wilson made a bold move, leaving her corporate career and becoming an entrepreneur with a big idea to help family caregivers. In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, we learn about her disruptive care solution that utilizes technology to harness the strength of community. We also discuss normalizing asking for...

Susan Combs will tell you she had a great dad. Her caregiving experience at the end of his life inspired her to give back to the veteran community. Susan’s dad Major General Roger E. Combs was a huge influence on her life. Roger battled with throat cancer related to Agent Orange for ten years, eventually dealing with a feeding tube toward the end of his life. A simple act - his request to eat panc...

After a 40 year hospice career, Barbara Karnes knows a thing or two about end of life care. Today’s special episode is part 3 of our 4 part series in honor of National Family Caregivers Month and National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. Barbara calls her introduction to working with the dying “divine intervention” that occurred because of a random connection with a hospice worker. She spent fiv...

Kendall Cloeter's passion for affordable housing and community revitalization shines through in her work with the Renovation Alliance. As a self-described "social worker by trade," Kendall brings a deep understanding of the challenges low-income homeowners face in the Roanoke Valley and a commitment to making a difference. Under Kendall's leadership, the Renovation Alliance has grown from a small...