The Whole Care Network

Do you want to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of dementia on marriages? If you’re seeking practical guidance and emotional resilience in this area, discover solutions to help you navigate this challenging journey in this replay of an enlightening Books & Chit Chat discussion with Debra Tann, Ed. D. In this episode, you will be able to: Understand the ins and outs of dementia care to...

Are you prepared for others to take care of your loved one? Do you have a care plan in place? Having a comprehensive care plan is one of the most important tools a caregiver can create — not just for emergencies, but for everyday peace of mind. We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we’ve learned the importance of creating...

“Caregiving never ends. No, it never stops.” - Natalie and JJ  Caregiving is a journey—full of love, lessons, and let’s be honest, a few laughs along the way. In this candid conversation, we dive into the realities of caregiving: navigating skilled nursing facilities, managing emotional and financial stress, and finding strength in community. We’re also sharing what’s in store for 2025 and beyond....

Working caregivers, are you feeling overwhelmed trying to balance it all? Many don't know about the resources & benefits available to them through their employers. This week, Kathy Sikorski, an elder law attorney, and Jen Fink, your host, uncover the hidden gems in your employee benefits package that can ease your caregiving burden. Discover the benefits that can give you back precious time an...

In our latest Care Lab podcast episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Ashley Mahoney—an occupational therapist who made a bold pivot into real estate—to explore a powerful question: What happens when the principles of OT shape the way we help people find homes? From Kansas City resources to national insights, we dive into: How accessibility and aging-in-place goals impact home buying Th...

In today’s podcast episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Judy Swanson, who shares valuable insights on mental health and well-being. She provides practical tips on how to cultivate small sparks of joy in everyday life and emphasizes the importance of being kinder to yourself. Judy encourages us to practice gratitude daily, engage in acts of kindness, smile more often, and find joy in the...

In this episode of I Saved You. Now, Do the Dishes., I’m sounding the alarm for caregivers walking the brutal line between cancer treatment and pain management. This one is personal. My husband had just been prescribed opioids for pain. And nobody gave him any additional or alternative instructions for days he had chemo. No one warned us about side effects chemo has with Oxy.

What happens when a former federal judge faces an Alzheimer's diagnosis? For Stephanie Duncan-Peters and her husband Richard James, it becomes an opportunity to showcase remarkable resilience, joy, and a refreshing perspective on living with cognitive change. In Episode 105, Don and I have a deeply moving and uplifting conversation with Stephanie, whose impressive career spans nearly 20 years as a...

In this episode of Care Lab, hosts Brandy and Emilia engage in a lighthearted discussion about their morning routines before transitioning into a serious conversation about significant changes in government policies affecting health and human services. They explore the implications of workforce reductions within the Department of Health and Human Services, particularly focusing on the impact of cu...

In this episode of our podcast, we have the pleasure of interviewing Jodi Benusa, a dedicated geriatric consultant who helps families find the ideal living arrangement for their aging loved ones. Her work is truly remarkable, as she goes beyond the surface to ensure that every placement is a perfect match. Jodi follows a unique and thorough approach to finding the right senior living community. Sh...

This week, I take you inside one of the hardest chapters of our journey—Week Five. My husband was deep in the trenches of treatment for head and neck cancer, and everything was unraveling. He could barely speak, eat, or drink, and his body was giving out. As his caregiver and medical advocate, I was doing everything I could to keep him alive—but we didn’t agree on how to do that. He didn’t want a...

We’re getting back to the basics of hospice - talking about starting hospice care, and what you can expect from a hospice admission. Hospice nurse Beth Cavenaugh helps to navigate this topic. There are a lot of moving parts that compose the admission to hospice care. Here are some of the main things you should know about hospice admissions: The admission process includes assessment visits from the...

Today, my guest is Amy Fuchs, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Aging Life Care Professional with over 15 years of experience supporting families through the complexities of caregiving for aging loved ones. As the founder of The Elder Expert, Amy combines her compassion, empathy, and expertise to provide personalized care and guidance for older adults and their families. In today’s episode, we...

In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, we’re joined by Carrie Severson—caregiver to her husband Gavin and a recognized expert in burnout. Carrie shares how her personal caregiving journey inspired her advocacy work, storytelling, and her podcast, I Saved You. Now, Do the Dishes. We dive into the difference between caregiver burnout and the entrepreneurial burnout Carrie previously...

"He chose to keep living." - Amy Shaw When life takes an unexpected turn, how do you find the strength to carry on? JJ and Nat sit down with Amy Shaw to share her deeply moving story raising a large family, including children with special needs, and navigating the heartbreaking journey of her husband Brian’s terminal illness. From the first signs of illness to the devastating diagnosis of brain ca...

In this engaging conversation, Chris and Josh explore Chris's journey to better health and adventure in his new endeavor: acting! A gay senior, Christopher MacLellan, and an ally, Josh Wilson, podcasting about life, love, liberty and travel. Don't Say Gay?... Say AgingGayfully™! AgingGayfully™ is about living life with dignity in an age-friendly society regardless of orientation or economic status...

Travel Hacks for Dementia Caregivers: Unlock the Secrets to Stress-Free Adventures Ever dreamed of taking that family vacation, but worried about how to manage your loved one's dementia away from home? Traveling with dementia can feel daunting, but it doesn't have to mean the end of your adventures. Join us as we chat with travel expert Adriane Berg and uncover practical travel hacks specifically...

What if the deepest wounds aren’t physical, but spiritual? In this powerful episode, hospice nurse practitioner Deborah Grassman introduces the concept of Soul Injury—a disconnection from our sense of self, often rooted in trauma, grief, and unresolved emotional pain. Drawing on her decades of work with veterans and dying patients, Deborah shares how recognizing and healing these unseen wounds can...

Today, we are thrilled to celebrate a major milestone—our 100th podcast episode! This journey has been incredible, and we are so grateful to have you as part of our community. Every episode has been an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect, and we couldn't have done it without you. No matter where you are, we invite you to celebrate with us! Whether it’s by sharing your favorite episode, reflect...

In this episode of I Saved You. Now, Do the Dishes., I pull back the curtain on the chaotic world of cancer treatment scheduling and pain management. Spoiler: it’s less “organized care plan” and more “full-time logistical nightmare.” From juggling 12 appointments in a week to coordinating three different pharmacy pick-ups (yes, really) for five different drugs, I talk about what it’s like to be th...

Patty Webster of The Conversation Project is talking with me about the swoopers and seagulls that are sometimes part of the caregiving experience. As part of her caregiving journey with her dad and siblings, Patty realized that she had been a “swooper”, offering her opinions about her dad’s care during an intermittent visit.  Here’s what Patty says she learned: Supporting the primary caregiver is...

In this fourth and final episode of our special series in partnership with Stanford Healthcare, our guest Susan Evans shares the ins and outs of caregiving, and talks about her work to support other caregivers dealing with the challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease. As a caregiver, Susan worked to ensure her dad was safe and well cared for. She and her brother incorporated humor into their caregiving j...

Dr. Tina Sadarangani is a sandwich generation caregiver and a NYU Assistant Professor who is a board-certified adult and geriatric nurse practitioner. Even though she is a clinician and has a PhD focused on aging, she still finds navigating our healthcare system difficult as the quarterback of the family’s care team. In this episode, we talk about what Dr. Tina would do to improve our healthcare s...

In this tips-loaded conversation, Brandy and Emilia challenge the common belief that aging means either living fully independently or moving into a nursing home. The reality? There’s a wide spectrum of possibilities in between—and understanding those options is essential for individuals, families, and professionals working in senior care. Whether you're a caregiver, healthcare professional, or pla...

We don't know what we don't know. But elder law attorneys do, and their expertise can be transformational for families facing aging-related challenges. Whether you're dealing with a recent diagnosis, planning for potential long-term care needs, or simply trying to prepare for the future, understanding how and when to work with an elder law attorney can make all the difference in your journey. In t...