The Whole Care Network

Welcome to another powerful episode of the AlzAuthors Podcast. In this episode, hosts Christy Byrne Yates and Marianne Sciucco are joined by acclaimed writer Eliezer Sobel, author of “The Silver Lining of Alzheimer’s: One Son’s Journey into the Mystery.” Jean Lee, founder, manager, and memoir acquisitions editor, shares her insights about what she found compelling about this book and author. Episo...

Have you reached the point where you're now fully responsible for your loved one's care and safety? Do you find yourself guiding others or managing all aspects of their daily needs? You've entered what we call "later on"—the final stage of the caregiving journey, and while some aspects may feel more manageable, new challenges and emotions emerge that require specific attention and planning. This f...

Hospice nurse Beth Cavenaugh helps to clear up confusion around live discharges from hospice services. Sometimes people on hospice care improve or stabilize, and no longer meet the criteria to receive care from the hospice agency. The discharge process can be confusing, and it’s important to know the things that need to happen.  Here are a few highlights from this episode: Live discharges are init...

In this episode, Chris and Josh share insights into their journeys from religious vocations to a more personal, liberated spirituality. They discuss the difference between religion and spirituality, the importance of community, and what it means to feel truly welcome, especially as LGBTQ+ individuals navigating faith spaces. Equal parts laughter, life lessons, and candid reflection, this episode i...

In this open and vulnerable interview, Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider talks about her caregiving experiences during her dad’s illness and death. Shoshana discovered early on that she wasn’t prepared for the complicated decision making that comes with serious illness caregiving, despite her medical training. Reflecting back at the experience, she talks openly about what she would have done differently. D...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of dementia care? Do you find yourself wishing you had more support navigating medical decisions and planning for the future? You’re not alone - and there’s specialized help available that many caregivers don’t fully understand. We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we both wi...

In this candid and heartfelt episode of I Saved You. Now do the dishes, Carrie Severson and her husband, Gavin, open up about navigating cancer and pain management with marijuana gummies. While the gummies helped Gavin finally get some much-needed sleep, they didn’t do much to ease the pain. Together, they unpack the frustration, trial and error, and emotional toll that come with trying to find re...

J Smiles has been a caregiver to her mom living with Alzheimer’s and NPH for over 13 years—an unexpected journey that began after her father’s sudden passing. Once a globe-trotting consultant who could barely keep a plant alive, J found herself overwhelmed and facing serious health issues just 18 months into caregiving. A wake-up call from her doctor led her to explore self-care through stand-up c...

My guest today is Susanne White, The Caregiver Warrior, an author advocate, Daughterhood circle leader and veteran, family caregiver who turned her personal journey into a mission to support others.  After caring for her parents through illness and dementia, she emerged with powerful lessons in compassion, resilience and self care. Her new book, self care for caregivers is a guide for anyone navig...

In this powerful episode, Marianne Sciucco welcomes back friend of the podcast Lance A. Slatton, owner/operator of Enriched Life Home Care Services in Livonia, Michigan and host of the award-winning podcast All Home Care Matters. Together, they dive into Lance’s recent experience attending the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s National Convening in Washington, DC, a major advocacy event supporting famil...

 In this episode of the podcast, we explore those seasons in life when something just doesn’t feel right—when discomfort lingers, but we’re not quite sure what to do about it. These moments can feel heavy or confusing, especially when we silence the voice of curiosity. Often, when we stop being curious, we also stop exploring new perspectives. We fall into autopilot, tolerate discomfort, or assume...

What does it mean to step into your comfort zone? Chris and Josh discuss how we match our talents and interests with what we do in the world. When we can do this, we find purpose, meaning, and fulfillment. Share your story or drop a line: yesiam@aginggayfully.com Like, subscribe, and ring our bell (figuratively or otherwise). Let’s AgeGayfully® together, with intention, humor, and each other. A ga...

End of life option advocate Dan Diaz is sharing the story of his wife Brittany Maynard and her pursuit of a gentle death. Diagnosed at age 29 with a terminal brain tumor, Brittany chose to move 600 miles to a state that allowed for death with dignity, utilizing Medical Aid in Dying. In this powerful interview, Dan describes the impact of her life and death on compassionate death choices and legisl...

“In the marathon that is caregiving, the difference between exhaustion and endurance isn’t willpower, it’s the strength of the support network we build around us.” Sue Ryan Are you feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caregiving? Do you find yourself thinking, “I don’t have time to get everything done.” or “I should be able to do this myself.”? You’re not alone, and there’s a better way...

In this heartfelt (and hilariously off-track) episode, Carrie is joined once again by her husband, Gavin, for an honest conversation about marriage, recovery, and the wild ride of caregiving—especially when your spouse has ADD. Despite Gavin’s best attempts to derail the story with his signature tangents, Carrie keeps steering them back to one powerful moment: the day he faced his fear of eating....

Patty Webster is no stranger to caregiving—she helped care for her mom at the end of her life and now supports her sister, who’s the primary caregiver for their dad. In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, Patty shares how her personal experience fuels her passion for The Conversation Project, a movement helping families talk openly about end-of-life wishes. We chat about why these...

I'm delighted to welcome back to the podcast Dr. Barry Jacobs, and equally excited to welcome his co author and wife, Dr. Julia Mayer. Dr. Barry Jacobs is a clinical psychologist, family therapist, author and principal at Health Management Associates, a national healthcare consulting firm. He's the author of the emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers, and has been a trusted voice for caregivers t...

In this heartwarming episode, Jean Lee, AlzAuthors founder and author of Alzheimer’s Daughter , joins us to discuss her personal journey of caring for both of her parents after their simultaneous Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Jean shares how she journaled her family’s dementia journey, the emotional process of turning those notes into a memoir, and the discovery of her parents’ World War II love letters...

In today’s episode of A Time to Care: The Caregivers Podcast , we speak with Amy Chastain, author of How to Find God in the Caregiver’s Journey . Amy opens her heart and shares how her personal relationship with God was both tested and strengthened through her caregiving experience. She candidly describes a time when she felt unworthy and had to return to the foundations of her faith to rebuild fr...

Have you ever felt overwhelmed because you don’t know what information you need, can’t find reliable sources, or feel frustrated by too much conflicting advice? We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we’ve learned having a step-by-step roadmap is crucial for navigating the beginning of your caregiving journey. We recently...

In this heartfelt and humorous episode of AgingGayfully® , Chris and Josh dive into one of the most pressing issues facing older adults today: loneliness. From near cardiac scares to surprise mixologist recommendations, they explore how aging bodies and changing social landscapes can quietly isolate us...and what we can do about it. With personal stories, laughter, and a few unexpected confessions...

Author and Alzheimer’s caregiver Marianne Scuicco shares her powerful story of caring for her mother and stepdad through dementia diagnosis and end of life. She describes the roller coaster of her caregiving journey, all the ups and downs that her family experienced. After her stepfather was diagnosed with mixed dementia and her mother declined, Marianne and her siblings had to find a balance to e...

Katie Prentiss is a mother of four, a former professional photographer, and a current filmmaker. When her mother was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Katie stepped into the role of primary caregiver, balancing her family, business, and her mom’s care. This life-changing experience opened her eyes to the preciousness of life, motivating her to make a bold midlife career pivot into acti...

Have you ever thought, "I wish I knew how to have a constructive conversation with my manager about how to align my work responsibilities and my caregiving responsibilities?" Today we're sharing strategies to help working family caregivers thrive at both work and at home. We're sharing four tips. We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types...

Season 2 of I Saved You, Now Do the Dishes kicks off with a deeply personal and heartfelt conversation between host Carrie Severson and her husband, Gavin, the inspiration behind the podcast. This episode is full of love, laughter, and the kind of real-life banter only a husband and wife can bring. Carrie and Gavin reflect on what “healing” really looks like for both the caregiver and the patient,...