The Whole Care Network

After being a caregiver for her parents and husband, Jennifer O’Brien is empowering caregivers so they come through it healthy physically, emotionally, financially, and mentally. In her new book Care Boss, Jennifer has designed strategies and resources to support caregivers. Her 35+ years in healthcare leadership, partnered with all her years as an unpaid family caregiver, equipped her to write th...

Imagine your loved one living with Alzheimer's in a place where they could truly feel at home, free from the fear of wandering. This episode shares heartfelt stories of personal experiences, including my own mother's joyful time in a vibrant Los Angeles loft community. Join my co-host, Don Priess and I, as we welcome esteemed guest Dr. Allen Power, a renowned geriatrician, whose compassionate appr...

Have you ever wondered what it's truly like to live with dementia? Either as the person diagnosed or as a loved one? Dementia Literature offer a unique window into these experiences, fostering empathy and providing invaluable insights. From poignant memoirs to practical self-help guides and imaginative fiction, exploring diverse genres about dementia can illuminate the challenges, emotions, and ev...

Welcome to Finding a Foothold, which was ranked #31 out of the top 70 caregiving podcasts by FeedSpot! I can't even begin to tell you how much this means to me. As someone passionate about serving caregivers, being recognized in this way is both humbling and motivating. Welcome to the first episode of 2025! In this episode, I reflect on the journey so far and share some exciting updates for the po...

"It's OK not to know everything." - Tracee Loran In this heartfelt episode of Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver, hosts JJ, Natalie, and Tracee Loran dive into the unexpected twists and turns of caregiving. Tracy shares her deeply personal story of stepping into the caregiver role for her grandmother after a serious fall, shedding light on:

DENNY SAROKIN has written for, recorded and toured with Every Mother’s Son, Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band, Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young, and other Hit Artists. He's written and recorded 100’s of songs for T.V. and Film, as well as being a touring solo artist, playing concerts, clubs, churches, and house parties. His songs feature Up-lifting Lyrics and Melodies that feel like Old Fri...

When you’re caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s or other type of dementia, you’ve probably heard countless times: “Don’t forget to take care of yourself.” While well-intentioned, this advice can feel overwhelming when you’re already juggling multiple responsibilities! Through our conversation with Elizabeth Miller, we’ve learned that effective self-care is about more than just general advi...

Falls aren’t just a possibility—often, they’re an inevitability. In this episode of CareLab, hosts Emilia Bourland and Dr. Brandy Archie dive deep into practical prevention strategies, from addressing falls the moment they happen to involving occupational therapists and family caregivers. They also explore the role of assistive devices, the importance of strong communication, and advocating for sa...

In this episode, we ask a simple yet profound question: Are you truly enjoying the present moment? So often, we find ourselves stuck in the past or consumed by the future, missing the beauty and joy of the now. The past is gone—it no longer exists except in our memories. Holding onto it, whether through regret or nostalgia, can weigh us down. The key is to let it go and release its hold on our pre...

In this second episode in a two part series featuring Dr. Harvey Chochinov, we’re talking about The Platinum Rule. Providing care through the lens of the end of life provider doesn’t fully recognize the personhood of the patient. Dr. Chochinov teaches us about The Platinum Rule - treating others the way they want to be treated, instead of how we would want to be treated if the situation was ours....

Finding the right elder care for your loved ones shouldn't be a stressful challenge. But for most of us it is. Elder care is EXPENSIVE! Yet, families everywhere grapple with the lack of reliable information. Imagine if booking elder care were as easy as booking a hotel. In this episode of Love Conquers Alz, we sit down with Daniel Clarke, the visionary founder of Elderado— which is not a Cadillac...

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver brings you another raw and relatable episode as hosts Natalie and JJ sit down with Adrienne Marioles, a millennial caregiver with a story that’s equal parts inspiring and real. Adrienne opens up about her leap from the hustle and bustle of New York City to the emotional rollercoaster of caring for her mom, who’s battling Parkinson’s disease. Expect heartfelt co...

Imagine navigating the complex burden of dementia, but it's not just one person you're caring for – it's multiple family members. Each with their own unique needs, challenges, and stages of this relentless disease. It's a situation that can feel overwhelming, isolating, and emotionally draining. But you're not alone. In this episode, we'll equip you with essential strategies to not just survive, b...

In this episode of CareLab, hosts Dr. Brandy Archie and Emilia Bourland welcome Carole Silvoy, an end-of-life doula and former ASL interpreter. The conversation explores the importance of communication in healthcare, the role of doulas in supporting families during transitions, and the need for open discussions about death and dying. Carol shares her journey to becoming a doula, the significance o...

In this episode, we dive into the vital yet often overlooked practice of auditing your relationships. Our connections have a profound impact on our emotions, energy, and personal growth. It's often said that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. If we surround ourselves with individuals who are consistently negative or sad, we may find ourselves feeling emotionally dra...

We’re excited to share a powerful new episode: "Dual Diagnosis: When Both Parents Have Dementia at the Same Time,” a replay of a live panel discussion held on November 19, 2024. Host Marianne Sciucco guides us through a powerful conversation with guests Vicki Tapia, Frank Silverstein, and Jean Lee, along with podcast co-host Christy Byrne Yates . Highlights: Vicki Tapia recounts her deeply persona...

Kelley Coleman is a California mom to two amazing boys and full-time caregiver for her son with multiple disabilities. She is a feature film development executive turned author and advocate for parent caregivers and individuals with disabilities. Her book draws upon over a decade of experience parenting a child with multiple disabilities In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast we ta...

Dr. Harvey Chochinov is teaching us how to go beyond providing healthcare to provide health-caring for the people we serve. Patients are people before they need to engage with the healthcare system. That personhood should be supported and validated with compassion and dignity. Dr. Chochinov has also led a large program of research on dignity within the healthcare setting, which includes the develo...

Boundaries. We know they are important in everyday life and even more crucial in caregiving. But how do we establish them? My guest today is Loren Gelberg-Goff, psychotherapist, author and speaker, who has become best known for creating the powerful, life-changing program for caregivers: “Take Back Your Life”. Loren and I explore the crucial topic of boundaries in caregiving. In this conversation...

Allison Applebaum, PhD, is a clinical psychologist with 15 years of experience in psycho-oncology and a pioneer in caregiver support services. She discovered the critical role family caregivers play in healthcare while during her work with terminally ill cancer patients, where she witnessed the immense impact of caregiving on families. Struck by the lack of targeted support services for caregivers...

"You can bring back the color and the light." - Kelci Jager Kelci Jagger shares her powerful and emotional story of overcoming tragic loss and grief through the support of her community and finding power in living in the light. Her incredible journey chronicles a series of tragic events including a dangerous accident with her two sons and her husband’s heart-breaking leukemia diagnosis. Losing a l...

Caregiver Conversations -Preparing for the Unknown. As we age, open communication becomes crucial for maintaining a good quality of life. End-of-life conversations, while difficult, empower us to make informed decisions about our care, ensuring our wishes are honored. Discussing care preferences, whether giving or receiving, fosters understanding and helps avoid future conflicts or misunderstandin...

When a parent is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia and the other parent begins their caregiving journey, the dynamic between the caregiving parent and child shifts dramatically. Through our experiences and conversations with families navigating this transition, we've developed six essential tips to help you support your parent as they take on the role of primary caregiver. Con...

Death Doula Darnell Lamont Walker is listening to the dying and speaking up to advocate for their needs. As a Death Doula who is also male and black, Darnell works to facilitate conversations about death in the black community. He’s a unique blend of skills and talents - an Emmy-nominated children’s writer, a documentary filmmaker, and a death doula. Darnell is a listener, a companion to people wi...

In this inspiring episode of CareLab, hosts Emilia Bourland and Dr. Brandy Archie sit down with caregivers Vincent Zappacosta and Douglas Christensen to explore the heartfelt journey of dementia caregiving.