The Whole Care Network

Poetry and spoken word offer a unique and powerful outlet for processing grief, especially for dementia caregivers who often experience anticipatory grief before their loved one's passing. The act of expressing emotions through words, rhythm, and rhyme can be cathartic, providing a tangible form to intangible feelings. Writing or speaking about the complex journey of caregiving, the gradual loss o...

"If you give me a spa certificate but no gift of time to go with it, I'll probably never use it." As friends and family of Alzheimer’s and other dementia family caregivers, we want to give meaningful gifts that will actually be used and appreciated. Through our experiences and what we've learned from others on their caregiving journeys, we've developed five important categories of gifts that truly...

Why are broken hips so devastating? And more importantly, what can be done to prevent debility and death after a hip fracture? Listen to this in-depth conversation with Dr. Brittany Lamb and hosts/occupational therapists Emilia and Brandy about broken hips, what they mean for the whole body, and the one simple foundation of all good recoveries. #CareLab #carelabit Find Caregiver Training at https:...

I had the pleasure of listening to Traci Steelman, who joins us in this podcast to discuss the important topic of finance. Her insights are incredibly enlightening and provide valuable information that can help listeners navigate their financial journeys. Traci shares practical tips and strategies for managing personal finances, understanding investments, and planning for the future. Don’t miss ou...

Cuddle Cots and Cuddle Blankets allow families to spend more time with a loved one after a death, providing an opportunity for end of life workers to do death care better. Danielle Franck of Flexmort shares her personal experience with a Cuddle Cot in this interview. *Warning - This episode contains a description of the loss of a stillborn infant. It may not be for all listeners. Please take care...

In 2016, Kitty Norton left her job as an NBC assistant editor in Los Angeles, CA for her hometown of Portland, OR to care for her mother living with dementia. While caring, she authored the dementia caregiver blog Stumped Town Dementia, writing tales of dementia life, not dementia death, which resonated deeply with readers around the world. After her mother’s death in 2021, Kitty took to the road...

Established in 1987 by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the Rosalynn Carter Institute promotes the health, strength, and resilience of caregivers at every stage of their journey. As Mandy Barr, a caregiver coach and engagement specialist at the Institute, eloquently explained, the organization is dedicated to supporting caregivers from all backgrounds—whether they are military, veteran, or civil...

Working and being a caregiver can be really hard! In this episode, Brandy and Emilia have an honest discussion about the challenges of working and providing care, tips for getting it done, and suggestions for employers to keep talented employees who may be struggling to manage care and work. #CareLab #carelabit Find Care Equipment solutions at https://www.asksamie.com/ Find Caregiver Training at h...

I’ve researched the work circumstances of caregivers and have found that, generally, the unique needs and challenges of caregivers often go unrecognized in the workplace. I would love to hear about your experiences—your perspectives, challenges, what strategies have worked for you, what you’d like to change, what keeps you motivated, and what adjustments you would hope for in your work environment...

When his dad died, Adam Zuckerman created a highly organized kit for managing his estate. As founder of Buried in Work, he helps people get their end-of-life preparation in place. Adam’s family learned the ins and outs of hospice as they supported his dad at the end of his battle with leukemia. Although their time using hospice care was short, Adam saw the benefits of end of life care first hand....

Jennifer Cain Birkmose is a sandwich generation caregiver, juggling the responsibilities of caring for loved ones in two different countries and life stages, while employing two distinct caregiving styles. She is also an improv comedian and instructor, with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry. In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, we explore how Jennifer integr...

“Singer at Large” Johnny J. Blair has been playing music professionally since the 1980s, having toured internationally, released many recordings, and worked with major artists. However, over the years, one of his joys is to perform for the residents in assisted living homes. “I’ve played the Royal Albert Hall, Disney, Las Vegas, cruise ships, temples in India, and little places all over the world,...

In Episode 98, Don and I have a fantastic conversation with Dr. Marc Rothman, MD,founder and president of the Dementia Spring Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) venture studio that invests in visual and performing artists and innovators who are changing the prevailing narrative of dementia and bringing joy and creativity to the dementia community through their work. Founded in 2020, the Artist Net...

As a senior Navy Chaplain, Bob Evan's calling has always been to serve and care for others, whether it was his troops, fellow service members, or the wounded warriors he encountered. When his fiancée, Gretchen, was severely injured by a mortar round in Afghanistan, Bob's role shifted from chaplain to devoted caregiver. Despite his extensive training and experience as a pastoral counselor, Bob cand...

In episode two of our special four part series, hospice icon Barbara Karnes shares what it was like working in hospice in the early days, before there was a model for working with the dying. Barbara has worked in end of life care for over 40 years, educating and supporting end of life workers and family caregivers alike. In this conversation, we talk about what hospice work was like early in her c...

In honor of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month - and National Family Caregivers Month - we’re featuring a special 4-part series with special guest Barbara Karnes, Hospice Nurse and End of Life Educator. In the first episode of the series, Barbara shares how she got started in end of life care back before the Medicare hospice benefit was established in the 1980’s. Here are some highlights o...

“We’ve both had ‘that’ trip — the last trip that you take when you decide we’re not traveling ever again with our care receiver. Or, as we like to say, it’s the trip after the last trip you should have taken!” We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we’ve learned travel decisions require careful consideration. Through our e...

Tech With Heart - Voiced Memory Preservation. Imagine a world where photographs could speak. A simple scan of a cherished image could transport you back in time, your loved one's voice echoing through the years, sharing stories, laughter, and memories. This is the vision behind a groundbreaking app designed to enhance the lives of those living with dementia. By allowing users to add personal voice...

Bucket list travel wishes turn to a frank conversation about hospice, end of life care, and how to talk about it with people you love. #CareLab #carelabit Find Care Equipment solutions at https://www.asksamie.com/ Find Caregiver Training at https://www.higherstandardscaregivertraining.com/ Find more from Helen at theheartofhospice.com @CareLabPodcast @wholecarenetwork @Asksamie @higherstandardscar...

Carolyn Birrell, author of Walking with Fay: My Mother’s Uncharted Path into Dementia, shares her story of coping with the challenges of caregiving, its emotional toll, and the need to find humor and love in the face of difficult and unlovable behavior from her mother. She also shares the emotional story of the last days of her mother’s life during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. Throughout,...

Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Kori Linn, who offers invaluable insights on setting boundaries and why our own mental conditioning can sometimes make establishing them feel surprisingly difficult. She explains how societal norms, upbringing, and personal beliefs often play into why we hesitate to protect our time and energy. Kori also tackles the topic of burnout, shedding light on so...

Death educator Lee Warren believes preparing for death in advance makes a good death possible. Over a period of two years, she experienced several deaths in her small community of 125 people, teaching her the best lessons about death as she cared for them. Those deaths, and the generous people who experienced them, offered an incredible opportunity for Lee to reweave a more holistic approach to en...

Unexpectedly, a physician's journey of caring for her father with Alzheimer's disease leads to groundbreaking insights. From reversing cognitive decline to the impact of emotional trauma, Dr. Helena Popovic shares a wealth of evidence-based strategies for caregivers. Her unique blend of personal experience and scientific knowledge sheds light on effective coping strategies and self-care techniques...

This week’s special educational episode shines a spotlight on the incredible work being done by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to support caregivers, families, and survivors of veterans. In this educational episode, Maureen Elias, a Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for Benefits at the VA, provides a comprehensive overview of the vast array of benefits and programs available thro...

What exactly do CareLab co-hosts Emilia and Brandy do in their businesses…. and why? Get to know a little more about these hosts and founders and find out how they are positioning their companies to help YOU. #CareLab #carelabit Find Caregiver Training at https://www.higherstandardscaregivertraining.com/ Find Care Equipment solutions at https://www.asksamie.com/ @CareLabPodcast @wholecarenetwork @...