The Agewyz Podcast

The Coronavirus pandemic has forced many residential care facilities to go on lockdown and implement “no visitor” policies.  As a result, family members with loved ones in care facilities are feeling a heightened sense of “ambiguous loss”—a term coined by pioneering educator and researcher Dr. Pauline Boss to describe a form of never-ending grief.  Common in caregivers of family members with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, this feeling of grief arises because the person with dementia is “there but not there.”  Another form of ambiguous loss was noted by Dr. Boss in the early 1970s, when she interviewed family members of pilots who were missing in action during the Vietnam War.  These family members were unable to “let go” of their loved ones because they did not know whether the pilot was dead or alive.  Dr. Boss elaborates on both forms of ambiguous loss and tells us how she has experienced it in her own life.  She offers suggestions for how to lower stress levels and increase our tolerance for ambiguity, for caregivers and non-caregivers alike who are now confronting new and confusing relationships, ruptured by dementia and social distancing. Note: this episode originally aired on May 30, 2019.   To purchase a transcript of this episode please click here: Episode #171  Explore the work of Dr. Pauline Boss: Ambiguous LossNew from Agewyz Media!  Life Stories for the AgesSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast:  iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.comMusic: "Arashi" by Kakurenbo | CC BY NC | Free Music Archive

Like many adult children, psychologist Nancy Picard is determined to prevent her aging parents from contracting Covid-19.  But Nancy and her parents live in separate states.  So she's in daily communication with them, and has wired up their house with cameras placed at strategic locations - at foot level, to give her parents some privacy.  A returned Peace Corps volunteer who has supported people from age four to 94 as a clinician and researcher, Nancy also focuses on supporting people's needs for reminders through her health care startup, MemoryBeach.  As a psychologist and as a daughter who has cared for her elderly parents, Nancy understand the stresses of the moment and how everyday can feel incredibly long.  She's here to offer comfort and advice to caregivers, for surviving as individuals with their own needs, and as sons and daughters  tasked with filling the needs of family members and friends.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: Transcripts. Explore Nancy's startup: MemoryBeachLearn more about Life Stories for the Ages: Capture a Story. Connect the Generations.

Renowned flutist Eugenia Zukerman has performed in concerts and recitals all over the world.  She was the artistic director of Colorado's Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival for 13 years, and the arts correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning for over 25 years.  And then in her early 70s, Eugenia was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.  Instead of crawling into a corner, she picked up paper and pencil and started writing - in poetry.  She has no idea why she wrote in verse, but the words flowed and resulted in her vivid new memoir, “Like Falling Through a Cloud: A Lyrical Memoir of Coping with Forgetfulness, Confusion and a Dreaded Diagnosis.”  Eugenia tells us how she stays positive despite her "gnarly" disease and about how she and her husband Dick are making every moment in life count, whether on tour with "Like Falling Through a Cloud" or among the bears and deers in their upstate New York house.  Dick tells us about his experience of Eugenia's diagnosis, and she reads from "Like Falling Through a Cloud. "  Tune in for a tale of love and the incredible power of music.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: Transcripts. Eugenia's website: Like Falling Through a CloudFacebook page: Eugenia on FB

Growing up in Alice, Texas, Jason Resendez didn't have any experience with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.   But more recently dementia has started to become an issue in his family.  Now the issue has come full circle: as Executive Director of the LatinosAgainstAlzheimer's Network, all Jason thinks about are the changing demographics in the Alzheimer's community, and in our nation.  That's because the number of Latinos in the US over age 65 is set to triple by the year 2050, when the care and treatment of Latinos with Alzheimer's disease will be a critical health equity issue.  Jason tells us how LatinosAgainstAlzheimer's is coordinating Alzheimer's awareness and brain health promotion efforts in the Latino community, where individuals have unique barriers to the health care system, or issues around stigma and language access that other communities don't necessarily have.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: Transcripts. Connect: LatinosAgainstAlzheimer'sReport: Latinos & Alzheimer's Disease: New Numbers Behind the Crisis"Celebrating the Power of Memory with Disney's Pixar's Coco" (Jason Resendez, 10/30/19, Medium)NEW from Agewyz Media!  Life Stories for the AgesSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast:  iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.comMusic:"Feels Like Fuzz in My Head" by Dlay | | CC BY NC ND | Free Music Archive"Tomoshibi" by Kakurenbo | | CC BY NC | Free Music Archive

Veteran writer Leslie Gray Streeter established a loyal readership through her Palm Beach Post column, "That Girl." Now a general entertainment columnist at the Post, her writing for the newspaper began in the early 2000s and eventually included mentions of Scott Zervitz, referred to in Leslie's column as The Gentleman Friend when she and Scott were dating, and The Mister after they married.  Baltimore natives who went to the same high school but didn't know each other well at the time, Leslie and Scott had re-met after 20 years and become soul mates for life. But tragedy struck in 2015, when 44-year-old Scott died of a heart attack and Leslie became a widow.  By her own admission, she was not cut out for the role.  Five years after Scott's death, Leslie shares her moving love story and twisty path through grief and loss toward healing in her new memoir, Black Widow: A Sad-Funny Journey Through Grief for People Who Normally Avoid Books with Words Like "Journey" in the Title.  On the show and in print, Leslie has a few things to say about grief.  Aging, too.  To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsBuy Black Widow:  Amazon | Barnes and NobleLeslie's website: Leslie Gray StreeterColumns in the Palm Beach Post: PB PostNEW from Agewyz Media!  Life Stories for the AgesSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

In the last two decades the number of people age 65 or older who are taking five or more medications has increased 300 percent. A problem that is much bigger than America's opioid crisis, the scope and impact of over-prescribing in older adults is detailed in “Medication Overload: America's Other Drug Problem,” a report co-authored by The Lown Institute's Judith Garber, a Health Policy and Communications Fellow at Lown; and Shannon Brownlee, Senior VP at the Institute and author of the book, “Overtreated: Why Too Much Medicine is Making Us Sicker and Poorer.” We talk with Shannon and Judith about what's driving the practice of over-prescribing, solutions that have been effective in tackling the problem and what you can do to prevent adverse drug events. This episode airs on the heels of a newly-released report from Lown titled, “Eliminating Medication Overload: A National Action Plan.” Note: this episode originally aired April 11, 2019.To purchase a transcript of this episode from its original airdate, please visit this page: Transcripts Original Report: Medication Overload: America's Other Drug ProblemJust released: “Eliminating Medication Overload: A National Action Plan”Lown Institute Action Plan Issue Briefs (quick takes):Reducing Pharmaceutical Industry InfluenceImplementing Prescription CheckupsImproving Information at the Point of CareRaising Awareness of Medication OverloadEducating and Training Health ProfessionalsNEW from Agewyz Media! Life Stories for the AgesSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

Geriatric Care Manager Sonja Kobrin was in her twenties when she began caring for the grandparents who raised her. She had no help and was traumatized by the experience, but it informed her approach years later, when she cared for the biological father who had been absent in her childhood. This school of hard knocks training has influenced Sonja's holistic and comprehensive approach to helping her clients at VIP Care Management, the Palm Beach County, Florida company she co-founded with her husband in 1993.  Tune in for real talk from a compassionate care manager who shares her insights and advice, and stories of families in crisis that may sound familiar.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsExplore the services of VIP Care ManagementSouth Florida Contact: 561-588-5151Toll free: 877-588-5158 NEW from Agewyz Media! Life Stories for the AgesSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

Award-winning filmmaker Deirdre Fishel walked around in a state of rage during the making of her documentary film, “Care,” which delves into the world of paid care from the perspective of both workers and care recipients. Deirdre talks about the making of her film, and about how her vibrant but frail mother influenced her decision to make it. As we head into the 2020 presidential elections, “Care” is a must-see film for candidates—and a powerful tool for advocates. Note: this episode originally aired June 8, 2017. We have an update at the end of this broadcast.To purchase a transcript of this episode as aired on its original airdate, please visit this page: TranscriptsWatch the trailer: CareWebsite for Deirdre's film: CareLearn more: Domestic Workers UnitedNEW from Agewyz Media! Life Stories for the AgesSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com Music: “Alya” by Dlay | CC BY NC ND | Free Music ArchiveEpisode Art/Photo by Heidi Gutman

Brent Wright is one of 64 million sandwich generation Americans who has simultaneously cared for an aging parent and his kids, all under the same roof. What made their setup unusual? His mom moved in with Brent and his husband, Sandis, and their two adopted daughters.  Brent tells us how the dynamics in their family changed when his mom moved in, and how his 7- and 10-year-old daughters help care for their grandma.  Brent Wright is the Chief Operating Officer of Family Equality, a nonprofit that advances legal and lived equality for LGBTQ+ families, and for those who wish to form them, through building community, changing hearts and minds and driving policy change.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsNEW from Agewyz Media! Life Stories for the AgesSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunes Learn more about Family Equality: Advancing EqualityFamily Speak Out Pearl of Wisdom ProgramMentioned in the show: T. Rowe Price Annual Parents, Kids & Money Survey

One in 68 children born in the US today is diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. The vast majority of them are being raised by single moms, and boys make up roughly three-quarters of those diagnosed. Faced with these and other alarming statistics, Topher Wurts decided to use his background in tech media to develop Autism Village, a free mobile app designed to help families find autism-friendly places and services. The issue is personal for Topher: his son, Kirby, was diagnosed with autism at eighteen months old. Topher shares his family's caregiving journey with Kirby, from altered careers and tricky social situations to the all-autistic Boy Scout troop Kirby thrives in. He tells us why celebrating each day is what his family is all about, and how his non-profit Autism Friendly is training businesses to better serve clients on the autism spectrum. Note: this episode originally aired August 3, 2017.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsNEW from Agewyz Media! Life Stories for the AgesSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunes Download the Autism Village free appMore about Autism VillageTraining for businessesAdditional Resources:“Born on a Blue Day”by Daniel Tammet“Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew”by Ellen NotbohmBooks by Temple GrandinLearn about jazz pianist Matt Savage

Michigan resident Shaista Kazmi has firsthand knowledge of the isolation and guilt felt by millions of family caregivers. But as a Pakistani Muslim, she's had the added challenge of finding culturally competent home health aides for her elderly family members. To help caregivers like her avoid the same fate, Shaista founded Detroit-based Apna Ghar, the first senior care agency in America dedicated to serving the needs of elderly ethnic minorities.  Shaista tells us how well-meaning senior care agencies tried but failed to meet the cultural needs of her family members, and how it affected her ability to work and raise her kids.  She shares her first generation perspective on the dilemmas faced by her mostly Indian and Pakistani clients, who speak little or no English and eat foods that are particular to their cultures and unfamiliar to most in-home aides.  Immigrants who came to America with next to nothing, these ethnic minority elders assimilated and built successful lives.  Now they are assimilating in a whole new way, attempting to age in place with dignity but hard-pressed to find culturally competent care or even admit that they need help.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsLearn more: Apna Ghar Home CareCall Apna Ghar: (248) 325-9028NEW from Agewyz Media!  Life Stories for the AgesSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesMusic: “Chupke Chupke” - Ustad Salamat Ali Khan  [Recording Artist: Iqbal Asif]

Single Payer, Medicare For All, Universal Healthcare - as these phrases get tossed around the presidential debate stage we get real with Suzanne Garber, whose documentary film, "Gauze: Unraveling Global Healthcare" compares and contrasts healthcare systems around the world to determine what "best healthcare" means and what it really looks like. We talk with Suzanne about her own experience with medical care, both in the US and abroad, what she discovered during the making of "Gauze" and why many Americans are choosing to go overseas for affordable, quality care. Tune in for a lively conversation with this filmmaker who traveled to 24 countries and 174 hospitals in search of the best healthcare systems around the world.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: Transcripts. New from Agewyz Media: Life Stories for the AgesSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.comWebsite for the film: "Gauze: Unraveling Global Healthcare"Gauze (company) database of international hospitals: GauzeTwo companies that list healthcare costs: Castlight Health and MediBidAdditional links referenced in the interview:Bankruptcies resulting from medical problems: American Journal of Public HealthLife ExpectancyEuropean tax rates: Here and HereHospital non-profit money makers and for-profit money losers

LA resident Cynthia Lim, author of the book, "Wherever You Are: A Memoir of Love, Marriage and Brain Injury," returns to the show a year after our first interview to talk about how her life has changed since the death of her husband, Perry. Retired from working in the LA Unified School District, Cynthia has also raised two grown sons and been a fulltime caregiver for her husband. She talks about the gradual changes she's made, to her house and in her life, now realizing this is a point in her life where she has the freedom to actually do what she wants to do. Traveling on her own still comes with feelings of guilt, but Cynthia recently gained perspective talking with others at a recent conference of the Well Spouse Association, where she delivered a keynote speech. Cynthia Lim holds a BA in Experimental Psychology from UC Santa Barbara, a Masters in Social-Work from UC Berkeley, and a PhD in Social Welfare from UCLA. Her husband, Perry, passed away on April 30, 2018.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsNew from Agewyz Media: Life Stories for the AgesSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast on iTunesListen to our previous interview with Cynthia: Episode 151Explore Cynthia's writing: Cynthia LimRead an excerpt from “Wherever You Are”: ExcerptMentioned in the show:The Well Spouse AssociationWriteGirl – LA non-profit empowering teen girlsMusic:“Early Rising” by Dlay | CC BY NC ND | Free Music Archive“Beautiful Rain” (stripped down remix) by Ketsa | CC BY NC ND | Free Music Archive

What happens when a gay, middle-aged daughter who has never gotten along with her makeup-addicted, former television singer mother is suddenly thrust into the role of her caregiver? That's the subject of James Beard Award-winning food writer Elissa Altman's new book, "Motherland: A Memoir of Love, Loathing and Longing."  Jana talks with Elissa about how “Motherland” evolved and what it was like for the author to revisit her complex relationship with her mother, Rita, this time through the prism of hands-on care.  At age 56, after countless therapy sessions and the publication of three memoirs, Elissa finally has a healthy relationship with her mother.  The key to their success? Setting firm boundaries. Elissa is still actively engaged in Rita's life, but they no longer speak fourteen times a day.  Tune in for a lively conversation.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsFor more details visit Elissa's websiteFollow her on Twitter: @ElissaAltman | Facebook | Instagram: elissa_altmanSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast on iTunes 

Adrienne Glusman always knew she would have to care for her mother at some point. It just happened 30 years sooner than she expected. An only child of divorced parents, Adrienne was 29 years old and traveling the world in between waitressing gigs in New York City when her mother was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Adrienne initially managed her mother's care from a distance, flying back and forth between New York and her mother's home in Tampa, Florida during emergencies. But as her mother's Parkinson's progressed, Adrienne became more anxious. She finally decided to leave New York and move back to Florida, to be a more hands-on caregiver. Jana talks with Adrienne about how caregiving has impacted her life and her career, the grueling process of finding an assisted living facility for her mom and juggling visits to the facility with the demands of her work. Now an entrepreneur and fierce advocate for millennial caregivers, Adrienne says aging organizations need to start preparing themselves for the reality that millennials are the people they're going to be having the conversations with. Adrienne Glusman is a public speaker, EMD Serono's "Embracing Carers" Ambassador and primary caregiver to her mother, Hetty.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsConnect with Adrienne on Instagram: @journeyedcaregiver | On Facebook: journeyedcaregiverWSJ article featuring Adrienne's story: "The Call to Care for Aging Parents Comes Sooner Now" (8/6/2018)Subscribe to The Agewyz Podcast on iTunes 

Pioneering educator and researcher Dr. John Eric Baugher was just eighteen years old when his mother was murdered.  Filled with rage, John felt he was fated to join his mother's killer in life imprisonment.  Not behind bars, but behind psychological walls of unresolved grief and anger.  How he channeled his grief and discovered compassion and even humor in the face of death is at the heart of John's new book, "Contemplative Caregiving: Finding Healing, Compassion and Spiritual Growth Through End of Life Care."  Jana talks with John about how "Contemplative Caregiving" evolved from his early years as a hospice caregiver in New Orleans, at the peak of the AIDS crisis, to working with hospice volunteers at a maximum-security prison and interviewing dozens of hospice volunteers in the US and abroad.  Without sugarcoating the experience, John also describes meeting his mother's killer, who is still behind bars.  "Contemplative Caregiving" affirms John's belief that we can transform experiences of loss and suffering into a path of compassion, and that even amid the challenges of caregiving we can find joy in unlikely places.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: Transcripts. Subscribe to The Agewyz Podcast on iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.comVisit John's websiteOrder John's book: Contemplative Caregiving: Finding Healing, Compassion and Spiritual Growth Through End of Life CareMusic:“early rising” by Dlay | CC BY NC ND | Free Music Archive“Wounds (remix) by Ketsa | CC BY NC ND | Free Music Archive

In a span of five years, Nebraska native Valerie Bourdain lost her daughter to adrenal cancer, her mother to lung cancer and her father to Chronic Lymphomatic Leukemia (CLL). Midway through their daughter's cancer journey, Valerie's husband left the marriage. Valerie forged ahead. But as the sole caregiver for all three family members, her weight and blood pressure soared to dangerously high levels. Finally, she was motivated to get healthy so her grown son wouldn't have to care for her later in life. As Valerie slowly rebuilt her life, and her body with the help of a fitness and nutrition coach, she also began working on a memoir titled, "Put Up Your Umbrella: Finding Shelter in the Storm of Cancer." Tune in for an incredible story of resilience, reinvention and learnings along the way. Note: this episode first aired August 18, 2016 . We have an update at the end of the show.To purchase a transcript of this episode as it originally aired, please visit this page: TranscriptsSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast on iTunes Buy Valerie's book: Put Up Your UmbrellaExplore Valerie's websiteFind Valerie on FacebookWhat is Adrenal cancer?Music:“Always Late” by Ketsa | CC BY NC ND | Free Music Archive“I can see daylight again” by Dlay | CC BY NC ND | Free Music Archive

In 1996, Mike O'Krent became a volunteer interviewer for Steven Spielberg's Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation, the largest oral history project captured on video in the world. The experience of interviewing Holocaust survivors rocked Mike's world and led him to found Life Stories Alive, which records the life stories of individuals, couples and siblings for their families before it's too late. Mike's own father and grandfather died before he could capture their stories, so he vowed not to make the same mistake with his mother. Mike talks about getting hooked on the process of storytelling, why it's important for us to know our elders' histories and about his mission of helping others unearth stories of their loved ones that in many cases they've never told anyone before.Subscribe to The Agewyz Podcast on iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.comLearn more about LifeStories Alive"Being Humble Is Nothing to Brag About" by Mike O'Krent (8/27/2018)Mike's list of 15 Powerful Lifestory Questions to Ask Your Loved OneMusic:“early rising” by Dlay | CC BY NC ND | Free Music Archive“Arashi” by Kakurenbo | CC BY NC | Free Music Archive

Janet Elsbach was raised by people who did a lot of cooking, but she didn't go to professional cooking school.  A home cook inspired by seasonal food, the cravings of those she loves to feed and the idea of bringing people together at the table, Janet knows from personal experience that in times of illness and sorrow there's nothing like the gift of food.  Her new book, “Extra Helping: Recipes for Caring, Connecting, and Building Community One Dish at a Time” includes personal stories from the front lines of care, cooking shortcuts for cooks short on time and tips for tweaking recipes to suit all kinds of dietary restrictions.  Janet tells us how “Extra Helping” came about, how illnesses in her own family changed the way she receives the gift of food, and about the surprise gift of Kollyva she received from a Greek friend following the death of Janet's older sister from cancer.  What Janet hopes to offer, with “Extra Helping,” is not so much a group of recipes but the idea that no matter what, you can begin.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsJanet's website and bookConnect on FacebookJanet's handle on instagram: @raisinporpoiseNOTE: A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each copy of Janet's book supports Feeding America and their efforts to combat hunger.Support THE AGEWYZ PODCAST! Become a Supporter here: AgewyzSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast:  iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.comMusic: “Goodbye and Thank You” by Ketsa | CC BY NC ND | Free Music Archive

What happens when a family member or friend is incapacitated and they're counting on you to make a healthcare decision for them?  Do you take the doctor's advice for treatment?  Or do you push back, knowing the patient would never want the treatment the doctor is suggesting? In high pressure situations like this, the wisdom of someone like Viki Kind is invaluable. Viki is what's known as a clinical bioethicist.  She helps families make good medical decisions and she counsels healthcare professionals on how to do right by their patients.  On the show, we examine what went wrong in situations where the patient's wishes were not honored, and Viki offers practical advice for making decisions that are right for you.  Viki Kind is a professional speaker, a hospice volunteer and author of the award-winning book, "The Caregiver's Path to Compassionate Decision Making: Making Choices For Those Who Can't."To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsExplore Viki's website and free resources Subscribe to The Agewyz Podcast:  iTunes Music: "True Blue Sky" by Blue Dot Sessions | CC BY NC | Free Music Archive

When Judith Henry's parents became ill in 2007, not even her reputation as a pragmatist, a planner and responsible eldest sibling could prepare her for what lay ahead.  But Judith had one advantage: around age ten she had played a caregiving role for her mother, who was in and out of hospitals.  Judith's caregiver-in-training childhood and transition to aiding her elderly parents in the last phase of their lives is at the heart and soul of her book, "The Dutiful Daughter's Guide to Caregiving: A Practical Memoir."  Jana talks with Judith about her no-nonsense, witty and practical "Dutiful Daughter's Guide to Caregiving" and how being plunged into 24/7 care made her realize that when you're caring for a parent, it's not just the time you're actually caring for them - it's your past and your present and your future, all brought to the table.  From an astrologist's prediction that came true and giving her dad a time out during Hanukkah dinner to helping her mother plan her own funeral, Judith mixes it up in this lively conversation.  Note: this episode originally aired April 8, 2016.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsLearn more at Judith's website Subscribe to The Agewyz Podcast:  iTunes

Being able to speak and write were central to Debra Meyerson's career as a tenured professor at Stanford University, where her work revolved around diversity, gender, identity and organizational change. But when she suffered a severe stroke that nearly killed her, the career by which Debra defined herself was gone - cut short by her stroke. Jana talks with Debra and her son Danny Zuckerman, co-authors of the new book, "Identity Theft: Rediscovering Ourselves After Stroke," an account of Debra's extraordinary efforts to recover and her journey to redefine herself after her traumatic event. "Identity Theft" also includes stories of fellow stroke survivors and highlights the emotional journey in recovery and what family members and partners go through. The authors share how their family's lives changed as a result of Debra's stroke and talk about the hard work needed to regain everyday capabilities. All proceeds from the sale of "Identity Theft" will be used to fund a new nonprofit initiative called Stroke Forward.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsLearn more about Stroke Forward and "Identity Theft"Additional resource: CaringBridge Subscribe to The Agewyz Podcast:  iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.comMusic: "Burning Light" by Ketsa | CC BY NC ND | Free Music Archive

Former Ohio state trooper Matt Gurwell spent 20-plus years delivering bad news to family members about accidents involving older drivers. Now instead of delivering death notifications, he's helping to preserve family relationships and saving lives with a self-assessment tool called Beyond Driving With Dignity. Matt is the founder of Keeping Us Safe, and Beyond Driving With Dignity is the organization's proactive approach to helping family members and older drivers make their own decisions, but the right decision, about possibly giving up driving. Matt says not all older adults need to turn over their car keys. He explains why and tells us how Keeping Us Safe's self-assessment tool works. Matt also explains why handicap parking spots actually increase accidents and why he dreads having the conversation with his own father about giving up the car keys. The work of Keeping Us Safe has been recognized by the NY Times, NPR, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, NBC News and many other media outlets and organizations. Note: this episode originally aired December 14, 2017. We have an update at the end of today's broadcast.Learn more: Keeping Us SafeContact Keeping Us Safe: 877-907-8841Subscribe to The Agewyz Podcast:  iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.comMusic: "Growing Silence" by Ketsa | CC BY NC ND | Free Music Archive

THE AGEWYZ PODCAST IS CELEBRATING ITS FOUR YEAR ANNIVERSARY!THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN OVER THE YEARS!There are lots of books on the market about balancing career and children, but where do you turn for advice on balancing career and aging parents? With 10,000 people turning 65 every day and employers slow to acknowledge the needs of their caregiving employees, Liz O'Donnell's new book, "Working Daughter: How to Care for Your Aging Parents While Making a Living" could not be more timely. Liz was riding high in her career as a marketing executive and raising two children when both of her parents were diagnosed with terminal illnesses on the same day. Her book, "Working Daughter: How to Care for Your Aging Parents While Making a Living" is filled with vivid anecdotes from Liz's white-knuckle experience as the primary caregiver for both of her parents. A roadmap to caring for aging parents without losing your job, your marriage or your sanity, "Working Daughter" is a book for caregivers everywhere but especially working women. Liz O'Donnell is the founder of WorkingDaughter.com, a community for women balancing eldercare and career. She's also the author of "Mogul, Mom & Maid: The Balancing Act of the Modern Woman."To purchase a transcript of this episode please click  hereSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast:  iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.comBuy Liz's book: "Working Daughter: How to Care for Your Aging Parents While Making a Living"Visit Liz's Working Daughter websiteJoin the Working Daughter closed Facebook GroupMusic: "Turning on the Lights" by Blue Dot Sessions | CC BY NC | Free Music Archive

Award-winning Canadian photographer Jay Perry dodged burning cars in Haiti after the country's devastating 2010 earthquake, he's had Haitian rebels point their guns in his direction and he's driven across the country in a cramped van eating and drinking off four dollars a day. But watching his father slip away from cancer was harder than any of those ordeals. Jay tells us why, and he talks about his book, "My Dad Got Sick: Love and Insights From a Caregiver's Unexpected Journey Through Cancer," an emotional account of interrupting his skyrocketing career at age thirty-one to help his father battle terminal cancer. Jay shares the non-traditional medicine practices incorporated into his dad's daily routine. He opens up about the anxiety of being in debt after leaving the workforce to care for his dad and explains why it was worth it. Jay also tells us about his mission trip to Haiti and how his photograph “Kettenie-Love” changed both his life and the life of the little girl in the photo. Note: this episode originally aired June 28, 2018.Jay's book: My Dad Got Sick: Love and Insights From a Caregiver's Unexpected Journey Through CancerExplore Jay's photographyThe story behind Jay's award-winning photograph “Kettenie-Love” Learn more about Jay's project Friends With HeartsSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.comMusic: “Melancholia” by Dlay | CC BY NC ND | Free Music Archive

Did you know that Millennial caregivers make up nearly a quarter of America's 44 million family caregivers?  One of them is Atlanta writer and dementia care advocate Aisha Adkins.  An only child and African American who grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood near Seattle, Aisha was bullied in school and had forty operations as a child.  But resentment is not in her wheel house.  In 2017, she founded Our Turn 2 Care, a website that connects young adult caregivers with information, resources and each other.  Aisha helped care for her dad when he had a stroke and she now cares for her mother who has Frontotemporal dementia, the most common form of dementia for people under the age of 60.  Aisha talks about how her childhood prepared her for caring for her mom, getting her Master's degree piecemeal from Georgia State University and her advocacy work on behalf of her fellow Millennial caregivers.  She also shares her learnings from caregiving thus far, and she tells us why she's perfectly happy spending a Saturday evening sitting on the sofa with her parents.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsAisha's websiteExplore Our Turn 2 CareSubscribe on iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.comMusic: "Save One Another" by Dlay | CC BY NC ND | Free Music Archive

Did you know that in the United States there are over 80,000 centenarians? Those are Americans who have made it to age 100 and beyond. They were born at a time when the life expectancy was just 53-1/2 for men and 56 for women. Today, life expectancy is 76 for men and 81 for women.  So what is it like to be age 100 or older?  And what can we learn from the men and women in this demographic?  LA photographer Robert Duron is finding out.  Robert is in the midst of photographing 100 of the nation's centenarians for California-based health plan SCAN, which is celebrating America's 80,000 plus centenarians with a new digital portrait series called, "stages: 100 over 100."  Robert Duron has photographed famous athletes and musicians, models and even Ron and Nancy Reagan for the LA Chamber of Commerce.  But "stages: 100 over 100" is nothing like his commercial work.  Robert tells us how this project is different and what he's learned from the centenarians.  He shares his approach to the photo shoots and why "stages: 100 over 100" is a project he wishes he could focus on exclusively.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsExplore the project: "stages: 100 Over 100"See some of Robert's other work: Robert Duron PhotographySubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

Pioneering educator and researcher Dr. Pauline Boss coined the term "ambiguous loss" to describe a form of grief that is common in caregivers of family members with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.  It's marked by a never-ending grief for the person with dementia who is "there but not there," and it forces the caregiver to confront a new and confusing relationship - one ruptured by dementia.  Dr. Boss tells us how the phrase "ambiguous loss" evolved and how she experienced it in her own childhood, growing up in Wisconsin in her Swiss immigrant family.  She explains why people who are mastery-oriented have a harder time with ambiguous loss, how Western culture has conditioned us to believe we can change things we can't and how this mindset prevents caregivers from having "good enough" relationships with care partners who have dementia.  We'll hear suggestions for how to lower stress levels and increase your tolerance for ambiguity, something Dr. Boss is working on in her own life as a caregiver for her husband, who is unable to walk.  When she's not caring for her husband, Dr. Boss is working on a new book called, "The Myth of Closure."  She recently launched her ambiguous loss online training program.  Dr. Pauline Boss is the author of five books including, "Ambiguous Loss: Learning to Live With Unresolved Grief," and the book, "Loving Someone Who Has Dementia" which will be released as an audio book later this year.To purchase a transcript of this episode please click  hereExplore the work of Dr. Pauline Boss: Ambiguous Loss Explore our campaign on IFundWomen: Life Stories for the AgesSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

We celebrate this Memorial Day with the story of a military caregiver whose husband returned from active duty alive but mentally wounded. Jill Armijo's husband, Joe, served in the Navy as a machinist and was deployed to a ship in the Persian Gulf just before Operation Desert Storm. A gentle, generous man, Joe returned from the Gulf War paranoid and with delusions of grandeur. For the past 20 years, his greatest battle has been schizophrenia. Although the medical community eventually recognized Joe's condition as Gulf War Illness, Jill says the VA wasn't much help when he came back from the Gulf and most doctors didn't know what to do with him. Jill talks about the pressure of caring for Joe while holding down a job for her entire family, and how her sons saved the marriage and was patient with Joe while she often lost her cool. She provides vivid examples of Joe's behavior, offers coping tools for other caregivers and tells us how she stopped trying to cure Joe and learned to love him just as he is. Jill is currently working on a book about her family's journey called, "Home of the Unknown Soldier: How Coming Back Became the Other Ultimate Sacrifice."To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsExplore Jill's work and caregiving tools: Jill ArmijoConnect with Jill on Facebook | Instagram: @jarmiji1962 | Email: jilldawnarmijo@gmail.comSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

Chicago native Denise M. Brown founded CareGiving.com at a time when Google, Twitter, Facebook and Wikipedia didn't even exist.  Everyone told Denise she was wasting her time.  No one would be interested in a website like CareGiving.com.  She launched the site anyway and now, over twenty years later, CareGiving.com is the go-to destination for millions of family caregivers desperate for practical advice and encouragement.  Jana talks with Denise about her early influences, how she manages her own parents and the two-day, National Institutes of Health event that shocked Denise into the realization that caregivers are invisible even the medical community.  Note: this episode originally aired November 2, 2017.  It has been lightly edited.Blog post mentioned in the show (Denise M. Brown): "What They Need Isn't What I Need"Attend CareGiving.com's Fourth Annual Caregiving Conference (Nov. 7-10, 2019)Denise contact info: 773-343-6341 | denise@caregiving..comSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

A few months after their 50th wedding anniversary, Helene Berger's husband Ady was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. When the doctor gave him the news, Ady replied, "I don't want to live anymore." From that moment on, Helene vowed to find creative ways to make their lives as joyful as possible for as long as possible. It wasn't always easy. But Helene learned a lot along the way, and she took notes which became the basis for her new book, "Choosing Joy; Alzheimer's: A Book of Hope." Helene tells us how she and Ady worked together to communicate in a positive way, which not only led to fewer instances of Ady's inappropriate behavior but allowed them both to feel empowered. She shares the mantra she developed for herself when Ady asked her the same questions over and over, and she tells us how she went from giving unpleasant aides the benefit of the doubt to sending them packing. We all have the power to respond to mental or physical decline in a positive way. Find out how in Helene's book, "Choosing Joy; Alzheimer's: A Book of Hope."To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: Transcripts. Explore Helene's book: Choosing JoySubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

In the next fifty years the population of Americans over age 65 will double. Where do millennials fit in? That's the question posed by filmmaker and visual journalist Sky Dylan-Robbins in her documentary short for NBC Left Field titled, “Millennials Stepping Up: How Will We Take Care of Our Parents?” It's a topic that feels close to home for Sky. A millennial and only child whose father died of colon cancer, Sky wants make sure her mother is well cared for as she ages. She's also slightly intimidated by the prospect of preparing for her own aging. Sky tells us how the characters in “Millennials Stepping Up: How Will We Take Care of Our Parents?” are navigating the art of adulting while they also handle caregiving responsibilities. She offers her take on how millennial caregivers differ from their baby boomer counterparts, and she drops a few hints about the film on dying that she's making with her mother, Ellie Dylan, who worked at NBC exactly 40 years before Sky began working at the network. Sky Dylan-Robbins is the founder of The Video Consortium and was chosen as one of Forbes Magazine's “30 Under 30” in Media in 2018. Note: this episode originally aired May 17, 2018.Read Sky's piece and watch the documentary short: Millennials Stepping UpSky's website: Sky Dylan-RobbinsSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

Caregiving expert and author Jana Panarites engages with unsung heroes — people caring for family members, friends and relatives amid the demands of their own lives — plus professionals in the field of aging and writers, performers and artists who are using media to creatively address major health issues, foster dialogue and challenge widespread assumptions about aging. Recommended by Caring.com : "Best Podcasts for Family Caregivers" Support THE AGEWYZ PODCAST! Become a Supporter here: Agewyz Subscribe to the show: Subscribe Learn more: Agewyz Media Contact: jana@agewyz.com

If you're having a hard time caring for a family member or friend, chances are there are lingering wounds in the relationship.  But choosing the path of forgiveness can heal even the most fractured bonds.  Take it from filmmaker Gayle Kirschenbaum, whose emotional abuse as a child made her feel like she was born into the wrong family.  Her relationship with her mother was especially harsh, but Gayle chose the path of forgiveness and chronicled her journey with her mother from enemies to friends in the film, "Look At Us Now, Mother!"  Gayle shares the back story on her funny, short film "My Nose" and tells us how audience reaction to the film led her to make "Look At Us Now, Mother!"  She explains how digging into her mother's past helped to heal their relationship, and she tells us how she's using what she learned from her experience to help people discover the power of forgiveness.  Gayle also tells us how her 96-year-old mother is handling her fame from the movie in her Boca Raton, Florida community, and why her mother is still the life of the party.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsWatch the trailer for Look At Us Now, Mother!Gayle Kirschenbaum website and TEDx talkSign up for Gayle's upcoming (6/23/19) workshop: transforming difficult relationships into healthy ones.Subscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

George and Carol Shannon were on their last night of vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico when Carol had a stroke.  A day later, in a hospital back in their hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, a million questions went through George's mind. He was still working.  How would he handle this? How would he be a caregiver? Would he be a caregiver? Who would take care of Carol? How long would she be in this condition?  Distant and selfish by his own admission, George realized he'd  taken his wife for granted during their entire 41-year marriage.  But he not only rose to the occasion and cared for his wife Carol, along with her he went on a remarkable journey of discovery which allowed him to fall in love with Carol all over again.  Jana talks with George and his son Chad, co-authors of "The Best Seven Years of My Life: The Story of An Unlikely Caregiver" about George's caregiving journey of redemption.To purchase a transcript of this episode please click hereLearn more about "The Best Seven Years" and connect on Facebook: Best SevenSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

We hear a lot about how the opioid crisis is destroying families and communities. But the scope and impact of medication overload is much bigger: in the last two decades the number of older adults taking five or more medications has increased 300 percent.  There's also been a spike in the number of serious adverse drug events (ADEs).  These alarming facts and others are outlined in a new report from the Lown Institute titled, “Medication Overload: America's Other Drug Problem.”  Jana talks with the report's co-authors: Judith Garber, a Health Policy and Communications Fellow at the Lown Institute; and Shannon Brownlee, Senior VP at the Institute and author of the book, “Overtreated: Why Too Much Medicine is Making Us Sicker and Poorer.”  Judith and Shannon talk about the dangers of medication overload, what's driving the practice, solutions that have been effective in tackling the problem and what you can do to prevent adverse drug events.To purchase a transcript of this episode please click  hereRead the Lown Institute report: Medication OverloadCheck out the Lown Institute websiteSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.comTIPS FROM JUDITH AND SHANNON...Before adding another medication, ask your doctor these questions to avoid unnecessary medications and set a “stop date” for medications that aren't meant to be taken long-term:What is this medication for? What disease is it treating?Is there evidence that this drug is effective for patients of my age and with my medical conditions?Out of 100 patients like me, how many are helped and how many are harmed by this medication?How will we know when the medication is working or not working?Can I start on a lower dose and see if that works?How long should I take this medication? When should I stop taking it?Do you know how this medication might interact with other drugs I'm already taking?Are there side effects I should watch out for if I take this medication?

Jaime Estremera-Fitzgerald is a CEO on a mission. As head of South Florida's Area Agency on Aging (known locally as Your Aging and Disability Resource Center), Jaime leads a team that serves seniors, adults with disabilities and the people who care for them in Palm Beach, the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee Counties. Jaime explains how the Center connects people with a vast array of home and community-based services designed to help people continue to age in their homes. Their services include directing people to respite care services, providing tools to fight the exploitation of elders and guiding people through the maze of Medicare and Medicaid enrollment. Jaime also talks about caring for his own parents, his complex emotions around moving his father into an assisted living facility (ALF) and how his father's Cuban and Puerto Rican heritage influenced their choice of ALF. There is an Area Agency on Aging in every county in America. Find yours here: Area Agency on Aging. Note: this episode originally aired December 15, 2016.Learn more about Jaime's organization: Your ADRCCall the Toll Free Helpline: 866-684-5885Subscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

58-year-old Brian LeBlanc is an international Alzheimer's advocate who speaks at conferences, workshops, symposiums, and even on dementia-friendly cruises.  He's got a sense of humor that will knock you over.  But don't call him an Alzheimer's patient.  And don't call him an Alzheimer's sufferer.  Brian explains why, and he tells us how he's living well with Alzheimer's disease in this lively conversation.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsBrian's website: A Bit of Brian's BrillianceConnect with Brian on FacebookConnect on TwitterSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

No one knows what it's like to be old until they get there. That's the view of Ronni Bennett, a former radio producer in her 70s who also spent over two decades as a writer and producer in network television in New York City. These days Ronni is busy with her acclaimed blog "Time Goes By," where she explores aging with humor, compassion and uncommon candor. Ronni tells us about the evolution of her blog and what's good about getting older. She explains how media fuels America's rampant ageism and she reflects on the Op-Ed piece, "Am I Going Blind?" by New York Times writer Frank Bruni. Ronni also tells us why she decided to write about her 2017 diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Note: this episode originally aired March 8, 2018. We have an update at the end of the show on Ronni's condition and how cancer has changed her life.Ronni's website: Time Goes ByRonni's March 1, 2019 Cancer Update”Am I Going Blind?” by Frank Bruni (2/23/18)Ronni's blog piece in response to the Bruni pieceSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

Much of the research on dementia in the United States has overlooked African Americans, but the prevalence of dementia in this population is more widespread than you might think. PhD candidate Kalisha Bonds is doing a deep dive into the subject as a student at Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU). Her research is focused on decision-making and the use of formal medical care by African Americans with dementia and their care partners. Kalisha tells us how being raised by her grandmother inspired her career path and what she's uncovered so far in her research. She tells us how she finds research participants in the Portland area, and how the culture compares with the rural Tennessee town where she was raised. She also defines a word you'll find hard to forget: dyad. Kalisha Bonds, MSN, PMHN-BC, is a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Nursing at OHSU.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsOHSU Profile of Kalisha BondsAlso mentioned in the interview:“Formal Service Use by African American Individuals with Dementia and Their Caregivers: An Integrative Review” – Journal of Gerontological Nursing (K. Bonds and KS Lyons)Medical Apartheid (Harriet A. Washington)Alzheimer's AssociationContact Kalisha: bondsk@ohsu.eduConnect on Twitter: @future_drbondsKalisha on FacebookSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

Wanting to care for your child is a basic instinct for most mothers. All the more so when that child has a chronic condition, like the son of today's guest—a Wisconsin mother who asked that we not use her last name. Carol's adult son has Multiple Sclerosis (MS), but he refuses to let Carol care for him. She says their relationship wasn't always strained. On the show, Carol reflects on how she and her son arrived at this impasse and she tells us how she navigates her relationship with her son now. She shares her concerns for her son's future, and tells us why she still fundraises for MS but is more invested in advocating for criminal justice reform in Wisconsin. Carol is the President of MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equality and Solidarity).To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesMusic: “L'Etoile danse (Pt. 1)” and “Blind” by Meydan | CC BY | Free Music Archive

In the U.S., as many as 8.4 million people act as caregivers to adults with emotional or mental health conditions. That's according to a recent report co-authored by the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Mental health caregivers often have a heavier burden of care and higher stress levels than a typical family caregiver. One such caregiver who faced a heavy burden—and ultimately, heartbreak—is Kristi Horner, whose brother suffered from mental illness and took his own life. Kristi is the founder of Courage to Caregivers, a Northeast Ohio non-profit focused exclusively on helping caregivers for a loved one with mental illness. Jana talks with Kristi about her journey with her brother through mental illness, and about how Kristi's organization is helping caregivers get past the stigma of mental illness by providing them with education, support and empowerment.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunes Courage to Caregivers direct dial: (216) 536-7699Website: Courage to CaregiversNational Alliance on Mental IllnessGuidebook for Mental Health Caregivers (NAC and NAMI)

Brooklyn-born attorney and empowerment guru Tamesha Keel was riding high in her career when her father died and she took on the role of sole caregiver for her mother. Years earlier her mother had survived a massive brain hemorrhage. She couldn't live alone, so she moved in with Tamesha. Then her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and terminal cancer. Tamesha talks about powering through work as she coordinated her mother's multiple care needs, letting go of her “perfect daughter” mindset, tough-love fights with her mom and their complicated but magical trip to New Orleans sponsored by the Dream Foundation. Tamesha also talks about the demographics of care and she offers caregiver coaching tips learned the hard way. Note: this episode originally aired March 5, 2016.Learn more: Lawportunities.comSubscribe to the show on iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.comMusic: “Harp Calling” by Ketsa | CC BY NC ND | Free Music Archive

Florida native Katherine Summers stumbled into her career as a paid caregiver. She had some time on her hands, and friends from her childhood began asking if she could check in on their aging parents. Katherine found she liked being around the elders, and caring for them came naturally to her. So she decided to take classes in Alzheimer's and dementia care and work as a caregiver professionally, first through an agency and then independently. For the past six years she's cared exclusively for two people who live together: a cancer patient and his mother who has dementia. Katherine tells us how she acts as a buffer between her two fragile clients and what she's learned from over a decade of caring for other peoples' family members. She provides tips for finding reliable in-home care, she talks about coming to terms with clients who die and tells us how she counsels family members who are confused about what's going on with their elderly loved ones. Whether you're thinking about hiring a home health aide or are just curious to know how a high-quality caregiver manages her job, this interview with a seasoned pro is for you.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsSubscribe to the show on iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

Alzheimer's Speaks founder Lori La Bey is driven to help people with dementia and their care partners live positive and purpose-filled lives. The work of her Minnesota-based advocacy group has been recognized by Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Oz and Sharecare and Alzheimer's advocate Maria Shriver, who named Lori an “Architect of Change for Humanity.” For Lori, it's all about shifting from crisis to comfort and choosing to consciously care in every moment we're given. Lori talks with Jana about how her work evolved, why she created multiple platforms for people to access dementia care educational tools and the lone criteria for her next gig when she left the residential real estate business after 25 years. And then there's story of Betty the Bald Chicken.To purchase a transcript of this episode please visit this page: TranscriptsSubscribe to the show on iTunesResources mentioned in the show:Your Memory Chip™ ToolTips for communicating with a person with dementiaAlzheimer's Speaks WebsiteAlzheimer's Speaks Radio Dementia Chats Video InterviewsAlzheimer's Speaks BlogAlzheimer's Speaks YouTube ChannelMemory Café, General InformationMemory Café Directory  Norm McNamara Purple Angel websiteThe Purple Table

In 2015, award-winning journalist John Leland set out on behalf of The New York Times to meet members of America's fastest growing age group: people age 85 and older, or what gerontologists often refer to as “the oldest old.” What John discovered during his deep dive into the world of elders upended his own ideas about old age. It also challenged the widespread notion that old age is nothing more than a grim period of physical and emotional decline. On the show John shares some of the lessons he learned from six elders profiled in his best-selling book, “Happiness Is A Choice You Make: Lessons From a Year Among the Oldest Old.” They include his own mother, Dorothy Leland, and the late Jonas Mekas, who hung out with Andy Warhol and Allen Ginsberg and was known as the godfather of American avant-garde cinema. He talks about his series “85 and Up” for the Times, which formed the basis for his book, and about the huge influence we all have over the quality of our lives as we age. Hint: research shows that a positive view of old age results in adding 7-1/2 years to your life.To purchase a transcript of this episode please click  hereSubscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.comWebsite for John's book: Happiness Is A Choice You MakeJohn's series for The New York Times: “The Best of ‘85 and Up'”John's tribute to Jonas Mekas after his death: “‘Trust Your Angels'”

Candia, New Hampshire residents Kathy and Ray MacDonald vowed when they got married that neither mother-in-law would ever live with them. Then Kathy's mother Simone developed Alzheimer's disease. The working couple now juggles caring for 78-year-old Simone with fulltime jobs, getaways planned months in advance and a rotating team of in-home aides paid for through Simone's long-term care insurance. On the show Kathy tells us how the new normal unfolded, what her son's eighth grade presentation on Alzheimer's taught her about the disease and why she knows she and Ray made the right decision. Tune in and get inspired.Easter Seals Services for Seniors: ESSSNH Union Leader article profiling the family by Roberta Baker, 12/16/18Subscribe on iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

Singer/songwriter, guitarist and producer Kate Schutt was packed and set to leave for a gig in the Middle East when she learned that her mother had stage 3c ovarian cancer. Kate broke her contract, moved in with her mother and became her primary caregiver for the next four years. On the show she talks about returning to live in her childhood home, the intense journey with her mother from cancer diagnosis to death and writing about life and loss for her forthcoming album, “Bright Nowhere,” which Kate is working on with legendary producer/arranger Rob Mounsey. Kate riffs on the deep conversations she and her mother had during their time together, how they connected through music and how Kate and her music changed as a result of her caregiving and loss. She tells us what inspired her TEDx talk, “A Grief Casserole: How to Help Your Friends and Family Through Loss” and how she's learning how to lean into self-care after putting so much of herself on hold. NPR calls Kate's singing “glassily clear and glossily sweet.” Tune in and hear why. Kate's TEDx talk, plus music and writings: Kate Schutt Kate's music on Soundcloud Support THE AGEWYZ PODCAST! Become a Supporter here: Agewyz Subscribe on iTunes Got a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

Veteran journalist Paula Span has had personal experience with many of the issues explored in her twice-monthly column for The New York Times, “The New Old Age”—the only dedicated real estate at the Times that talks about aging issues and caregiving. On the show, Paula shares some of those experiences and tells us about the evolution of the column and the story behind some of her pieces, including one on the growing use of medical marijuana among seniors and another on a program for medical students that involves interacting with older adults. She also weighs in on ageism, the realities of aging in place, reader reactions to some of her more popular pieces and how the landscape of care has changed. About to turn seventy years old, Paula is strategizing for her own future care needs but has no plans to retire; besides her “New Old Age” column, she writes the “Generation Grandparent” column for the Times and she teaches at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Tune in for a wide-ranging conversation chock full of useful information. New York Times articles by Paula Span mentioned in the show: “Every Older Patient Has A Story: Medical Students Need to Hear It” (10/12/18) “Older Americans Are Flocking to Medical Marijuana” (12/7/18) “A Retirement Community Turned Away These Married Women” (8/17/18) “A Quiet Drug Problem Among the Elderly” (3/16/18 – one in a series) Follow Paula on Twitter: @paula_span Support THE AGEWYZ PODCAST! Become a Supporter here: Agewyz Subscribe on iTunes Got a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

Dr. Nicole Rochester has known she wanted to be a pediatrician since she was about eight years old. A Washington, DC native whose dad was a Redskins season ticket holder, Dr. Rochester has advocated for her own family members and given medical care to children in the DC Metro area for two decades. In today's show she shares her insider's view of the way hospitals work: how the doctor-patient relationship has changed over the years, how the fast-paced nature of hospitals affects care and why family meetings are a critical component of care. Dr. Rochester shares her concerns about the ongoing attacks on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), she tells us why being a high-maintenance caregiver is a good thing and about why she started her website aimed at helping families navigate the healthcare system. Tune in for this lively chat with tips and tools from a caring physician. Connect with Dr. Nicole Rochester: Website Facebook Twitter Support THE AGEWYZ PODCAST! Become a Supporter here: Agewyz Subscribe on iTunes Got a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

When Steve Burrows' mother, Judie, fell into a coma after a routine hip surgery, he was afraid she would never wake up. Questioning Judie's care during surgery, Steve discovered his mother was one of an alarming number of patients in the US who are harmed by medical error. His personal video diary of Judie's recovery mushroomed into a ten-year, multi-layered investigation into the state of American health care laid bare in the documentary film, “Bleed Out”—Steve's hair-raising search for the truth about what happened to his mother's care. A former member of the Groundlings theater company famous for his popular comedy film “Chump Change,” Steve says “Bleed Out” isn't a film he wanted to make but a film he needed to make. Joining him on the show to talk about how the film evolved and how it will be used to promote accountability in healthcare is producer Ilan Arboleda (Creative Chaos), who Steve met after he'd shot many years of footage, gathered in part for a medical malpractice lawsuit brought on his mother's behalf. Steve talks about juggling his show business career with flying back and forth between LA and Milwaukee to care for his mother, how his wife supported him during a time when Steve felt his sense of humor fading and why none of us can afford to blindly trust doctors. “Bleed Out” debuts on HBO on Monday, December 17, 2018.Watch the trailer for "Bleed Out"Subscribe on iTunesGot a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com