Caregiver SOS

In this episode of Caregiver SOS On Air , hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial welcome internationally renowned intervention scientist, gerontologist, and Drexel University Dean Emerita Dr. Laura Gitlin. Together, they explore how tailored activities can transform dementia care, restore a sense of purpose for individuals living with cognitive decline, and alleviate caregiver stress. Episode Summary D...

In this moving and lighthearted episode of Caregiver S.O.S. On Air , host Ron Aaron and guest co-host Tina Smith (Senior Director of Caregiver Program Operations at the WellMed Charitable Foundation) welcome back comedian, actor, writer, and radio host Keith Price to discuss navigating the intense emotional weight of caregiving through humor and connection. Keith shares his personal journey of man...

In this episode of Caregiver S.O.S. On Air , host Ron Aaron and guest co-host Tina Smith are joined by Caleb Balaraju from the Bethlehem Intergenerational Center. Caleb shares insights from his work supporting older adults, persons living with dementia, children, and family caregivers through a shared-space model that integrates adult day care with child care. Episode Summary The discussion highli...

In this episode of Caregiver SOS On Air , hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial sit down with Richard "Dick" Tips, Chairman and CEO of RD Tips Inc. and owner of Mission Park Funeral Chapels and Cemeteries in San Antonio. Together, they tackle a topic many families avoid until it's too late: end-of-life planning and funeral logistics. Drawing from decades of experience in the funeral industry and deep...

In this episode of Caregiver SOS On Air , hosts Carol Zernial and Ron Aaron are joined by caregiving expert, court-appointed fiduciary, and certified mediator Pamela D. Wilson to address one of the most stressful challenges facing families today: navigating and resolving caregiving disputes. When an aging parent requires assistance, family dynamics, generational expectations, and unexpressed wishe...

In this episode of the podcast, we dive into a transformative, human-centered approach to supporting individuals living with dementia. Traditional dementia care often relies on redirection, isolation, or medical sedation to manage challenging behaviors. However, this conversation shifts the focus toward understanding what those behaviors are actually trying to communicate—unmet physical...

In this poignant episode of Caregiver SOS On Air , host Ron Aaron and guest co-host Tina Smith are joined by Peter Dare to discuss his deeply moving journey as a caregiver to his husband of over four decades, John Goodnett. John—an ultra-runner with an irrepressible spirit and a sharp sense of humor—was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's dise...

In this inspiring episode of Caregiver S.O.S. On Air , hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial sit down with Carol Rosenstein, an educator, pioneer in holistic mind-body medicine, and the founder of Music Mends Minds, Inc. Carol shares her deeply personal story as a caregiver for her late husband, Erwin, who lived with Parkinson’s disease and dementia for 15 years. After discovering how sitting at...

In this episode of Caregiver SOS On Air , guest host Tina Smith and co-host Ron Aaron are joined by Dr. Ethelle Lorde, founding president of the International Caregivers Association. Drawing from her background in counseling, organizational leadership, and her 21 years as a primary caregiver for her late husband, Dr. Lorde offers a fresh, compassionate perspective on supporting loved ones living w...

Here is a detailed episode description for the episode: Prevention is the Best Medicine: Daily Habits for Healthy Feet Episode Summary With summer heatwaves sweeping the country, caring for our feet is more critical—and more complicated—than ever. In this episode of Caregiver SOS On Air , host Ron Aaron is joined by certified wound specialist physician Dr. Allison Larkin to discuss pra...

In this episode of Caregiver S.O.S. On Air , host Ron Aaron is joined by comedian, author, speaker, and educator Danny Klein-Modisett , founder of Laughter On Call . Danny shares her journey of navigating her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and how an unexpected moment of humor transformed her approach to caregiving, leading to the creation of an organization that brings comic relief an...

Here is a detailed episode description tailored for your show notes and podcast platforms: Episode Title: Reframing Aging: Overcoming Ageism in Caregiving & Daily Life Episode Summary Ageism is everywhere—from everyday birthday cards and healthcare visits to workplace dynamics and the subtle ways we talk to ourselves. Yet, despite being one of the most pervasive forms of discrimination,...

When family members step into the role of a caregiver, the sheer volume of daily tasks can easily eclipse their own sense of self. In this insightful episode of Caregiver S.O.S. On Air , hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial are joined by Dr. Grace Macalino, founder and CEO of Kapwa AllCare. Drawing from her background as a public health researcher and her personal journey caring for her aging parents...

Ageism is everywhere—built into our greeting cards, embedded in media advertisements, and quietly influencing how we talk to ourselves and our loved ones. But how do the words we choose actually impact our quality of life and the way we care for others? In this episode of the award-winning Caregiver S.O.S. On Air , hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial sit down with Tina Smith, Director of Careg...

In this episode of the award-winning Caregiver S.O.S. On Air , hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial sit down with Dr. Grace Macalino, a public health researcher and the founder and CEO of CAPWA AllCare. Drawing from her personal experience navigating the complex journey of caring for her aging parents, Dr. Macalino discusses a critical yet often overlooked aspect of caregiving: the massive shift in p...

In this episode of the award-winning Caregiver SOS On Air podcast, hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial sit down with board-certified geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Weiss to tackle one of the most challenging chapters in caregiving: identifying and managing early-onset dementia. Dr. Weiss shares his unique perspective—shaped by both 44 years of psychiatric practice and his own deeply persona...

Is it possible to not just slow down, but actually reverse advanced Alzheimer’s disease? In this groundbreaking episode of Caregiver SOS On Air , co-hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial sit down with two visionary researchers from Case Western Reserve University who are challenging decades of medical dogma. Dr. Andrew Pieper, a board-certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist, alongside postdoct...

What do you do when a loved one begins showing signs of mental illness? For many families, identifying the warning signs, finding accessible care, and overcoming deep-rooted cultural stigmas can feel like an overwhelming, uphill battle. In this episode of Caregiver SOS On Air , hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial sit down with Maria Honigman (Director of Programs) and Olga Rodriguez (Director of Edu...

When a family member chooses to live an isolated life, it can be incredibly difficult to know when—and how—to step in. It becomes even more challenging when that loved one flatly refuses medical help, hides their symptoms, or is dealing with cognitive decline. In this episode of Caregiver SOS On Air , hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial sit down with Alzheimer’s advocate, researche...

Amy Fuchs joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernial to talk about boundaries in caregiving on this edition of Caregiver SOS. About Amy Amy Fuchs, is a licensed clinical social worker and certified aging life care manager. She has decades of clinical experience helping older adults and their families navigate the highs and lows of the aging process. In 2008 she created The Elder Expert, a cons...

Donna Butts joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernial to talk about grandfamilies and kinship caregivers on this edition of Caregiver SOS. About Donna  Donna Butts is an award-winning nonprofit executive, author, and trusted voice frequently quoted in the national media. As executive director of Generations United, a role she served in for more than twenty-seven years, she was invited to...

Neal Shaw joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernial to talk about the lack of caregiving training caregivers receive and caring for the older population on this edition of Caregiver SOS. About Neal   Neal K. Shah is a healthcare researcher focused on caregiving for the aging population. He is an NIH-funded Principal Investigator on the YayaGuide AI for Caregiver Training project that he...

Suzy McNamara joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernial to talk about caregiving loss on this edition of Caregiver SOS. About Suzy  Suzy McNamara is an author, speaker, and caregiving and grief advocate whose work explores the emotional realities of loving someone through loss. She is the author of The Silkworm, The Magician, and The Sister Tree, a deeply human reflection on caregiving,...

Karee White joins host Ron Aaron and guest co-host Tina Smith to talk about her caregiving story on this edition of Caregiver SOS. About Karee Karee White is a veteran, military mother, and Elizabeth Dole Foundation Caregiver Fellow based in Apex, North Carolina. She and her husband Jim are both veterans. Seven of their nine children have served or are currently serving in the United States Armed...

Dr. Paul Bendheim joins host Ron Aaron and guest co-host Tina Smith to talk about providing care using a simple, evidence-based lifestyle on this edition of Caregiver SOS. About Dr. Bendheim Dr. Paul Bendheim is a board-certified neurologist, author, and founder of BrainSavers®, Inc., a company dedicated to helping people reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s dementia by strengthening and enh...