Navigating the World with Your Aging Loved One

How do we avoid miscommunication and medication errors during transitions of care? Implementation of clear communication practices and medication reconciliation processes can significantly reduce the risk of errors, lower the rate of rehospitalization, and improve overall patient outcomes.

Today, my guest is Dr. Nancy Taylor, the Founder and CEO of Taylormade Senior Advocacy and Consulting. She is a Doctor of Pharmacy, a Board-Certified Patient Advocate, and a Certified Senior Advisor, specializing in Collaborative Deliberation with clients and families, as well as client care coordination.

Dr. Taylor is the perfect person to guide us on how to navigate transitions of care successfully and avoid rehospitalization. During our conversation, we learn how to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the complications that can arise during transitions of care. We will discuss how Dr. Taylor supports older adults and families, what transitions of care are, and how miscommunication and medication errors can occur during these transitions. Thank you, Dr. Nancy Taylor, for bringing awareness to this topic and equipping us with information as we navigate transitions of care.

Dr. Nancy Taylor shares about:

• How as young girl she learned the power of care from her father who was a pharmacist
• Her journey to become a Doctor of Pharmacy and her heart for education and advocacy
• Why it's important to understand Transitions of Care
• The impact of miscommunication, mismedication and readmission
• The importance of being health literate
• Bridging the gap between medical professionals and patients through communication simplification
• Understanding what to look for in transitions of care as older adults and family members
• Overcoming communication challenges in healthcare transitions
• Where we can learn more and work with Dr. Nancy Taylor

Learn more at https://www.drtadvocacy.com/

You may read more about Dr. Taylor and her services on her website https://drtadvocacy.com and contact her at nancy@drtadvocacy.com or call 877.216.7450

*This episode is brought to you by Gigi Betty co. A boutique gift shop raising awareness and funds for caregivers and care partners. Show now at www.gigibettyco.com. Use the special code WILLGATHER20 for 20% off your order- Just for our podcast listeners!

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

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Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

There are over 15 million wartime veterans and their spouses who are potentially eligible for veteran benefits. Unfortunately, only about 2% of these veterans are actually collecting their benefits and many of them do not know all that they are eligible for today.

My guest this week is Suzette Graham, Owner and CEO of Patriot Angels. They help families and veterans navigate the overwhelming and complicated process of applying for veteran benefits, aid, and attendance. As an independent company, they are devoted to making sure veterans and families have the resources they need. With her great team, they continue to advocate for people that need support, including veterans, families, caregivers, and senior living communities.

During the interview, we discussed how Patriot Angels came to be and how they help veterans and their family members. We also talked about the importance of knowing who to call for help and discovering what various benefits are available. Some of the benefits may not be immediately apparent, and Suzette also shares how they work with senior living communities to support families in paying for housing. Additionally, we talk about what is on the horizon for 2023 and what benefit changes may have taken place, as well as where to learn more about Patriot Angels and the many ways they have impacted people's lives. Thank you, Suzette, for providing timely assistance for those who have sacrificed for our country and being a guiding hand for veterans and their families.

Suzette shares about:

• The story behind Patriot Angels
• How to navigate the complex system of veterans' benefits and the need for support
• What benefits are available
• Who is eligible for benefits
• The ways in which they support veterans, families and work with senior living communities
• What is on the horizon for benefit changes for 2023
• The many ways Patriot Angels has seen success and changed the lives of others
• How Angels Research discovers information and assists in research for appropriate documentation
• Where we can learn more about Patriot Angels

Learn more at Patriot Angels. 

*This episode is brought to you by Gigi Betty co. A boutique gift shop raising awareness and funds for caregivers and care partners. Show now at www.gigibettyco.com. Use the special code WILLGATHER20 for 20% off your order- Just for our podcast listeners!

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

As families, we are responsible for the well-being of our loved ones. We have the agency to speak up and request excellence in their care. As consumers, we are demanding better and I strongly believe that our environment plays a significant role in this responsibility. We want our environment to be safe and we want to know that the products we interact with only support our health and do not expose us to toxic chemicals. We are looking for cleanliness in many different ways - in our environment, food, products, cosmetics, and in the way we interact with the world.

My guest today is Daniel Lawson, the Co-Founder and President of Business Affairs at Viking Pure Solutions. Viking Pure is an EPA-registered, patented system for generating natural cleaning and disinfecting solutions, challenging the status quo and creating a movement to remove toxic chemicals from our environment. We will be talking about electrolyzed water, why it is so effective, how it can be used in many different environments and businesses, and how important it is in the senior living space. We will also discuss the many ways it can mitigate common germs and illnesses that are present in those environments. There are long-term health risks associated with using toxic chemicals, and we will address why it is essential to address this issue in senior living communities.

I believe that the environment plays a vital role in this, and as families, we can demand better. Families can talk and share with each other what cleanliness is like in their loved ones' communities. I think it's a no-brainer, and I'm excited about this technology that's out there. I hope that you will consider speaking up for your loved ones and demanding better, demanding clean. I loved this interview with Daniel. You can hear his heart and passion behind what they are up to. Thank you, Daniel, for the great conversation today. I hope all senior living communities implement Viking Pure Solutions as a standard practice of care and cleanliness.

Daniel shares about:

• Growing up with a heart for senior living and the mission to prioritize resident safety in care communities
• The effectiveness of Viking Pure Solutions and non-toxic cleaning products
• How senior living communities are adopting clean practices and the ways they've seen improved resident success and increased family satisfaction
• Upholding resident safety and dignity through clean practices
• Understanding the science behind electrolyzed water
• The risk and long-term health implications of using toxic chemicals
• The various germs and illnesses that can be eradicated through Viking Pure Solutions
• How underlying health conditions can be exasperated by toxic chemicals and the ways we can overcome the health implications by adopting clean practices
• The ease and opportunities for implementation, training and obtaining an Anti-Microbial Certification for your community
• Elevating our practices to meet consumer needs of desiring safe practices
• How he is hopeful about the future of clean and where we can learn more

Learn more at Viking Pure Solutions.

*This episode is brought to you by Gigi Betty co. A boutique gift shop raising awareness and funds for caregivers and care partners. Show now at www.gigibettyco.com. Use the special code WILLGATHER20 for 20% off your order- Just for our podcast listeners!

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Exhausted, burned out, and wondering how much longer she can sustain this role of caregiving, Robin Weeks, Founder of My Pivotal Point, knew she had to take action. Her own struggles inspired her to help others feel prepared.

Seeking a solution, she put boundaries in place and created a caregiving coaching method called My Pivotal Point, Caring for Caregivers. This holistic approach helps caregivers gain more confidence, energy, control, and wellness in their everyday lives. In this conversation, Robin and I discuss the importance of setting boundaries for ourselves, how to identify the boundaries we need, and how to have tough conversations without shying away from conflict. Robin's story offers valuable insights for anyone who is caring for an aging loved one. Thank you for joining us for this real and important conversation. Thank you, Robin, for your transparency and encouragement as we care for our loved ones.

Robin shares about:

• Her path of caregiving and being inspired to develop The Care Colloquium with Kimberly Whiter
• How experiencing caregiving burnout shaped her desire to truly help others feel prepared
• The ways in which boundaries saved her in her caregiving
• Tips to implement boundaries and the importance of having hard conversations and overcoming conflict
• The complex emotions of caring for loved ones when we have complicated relationships
• How we can work through our guilt in caregiving
• How we recognize the gifts in caregiving
• Ways we can successfully work with our care teams
• The holistic approach to caregiving can be our saving grace
• Where we can learn more and work with Robin in our caregiving

About Robin Weeks & My Pivotal Point

In 2020, after caring for my mother for over 6 years, I launched My Pivotal Point, Caring for

Caregivers. My Mission is to educate, inform and support caregivers so that they can effectively

provide care while maintaining their own physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. I work

with companies to educate management and caregivers and provide the support needed to

remain productive at work while caregiving.

I am a Certified Big Five for the Workplace Personality Consultant and Coach, certified in

conflict Resolution through the Roanoke, VA Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution, trained

Facilitator and a Certified Caregiving Consultant.

www.mypivotalpoint.com

https://mypivotalpoint.com/caregivingconsulting/

*This episode is brought to you by Gigi Betty co. A boutique gift shop raising awareness and funds for caregivers and care partners. Show now at www.gigibettyco.com. Use the special code WILLGATHER20 for 20% off your order- Just for our podcast listeners!

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Family caregivers often assist their loved ones with a variety of activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, meal preparation, household tasks, doctor's appointments, and medication management. However, at times it can feel overwhelming and it's common to struggle with finding ways to be efficient.

I'm delighted to introduce today's guest, Consuela Marshall, founder of Finding A Foothold. Consuela's caregiving journey began when her daughter was born with physical limitations and later became the primary caregiver for her mom after she suffered multiple strokes. With over 25 years of experience as an occupational therapist, Consuela recognized the need to help family caregivers create a more manageable and less emotionally and physically draining caregiving life.

Consuela's compassionate heart and first-hand experience as a certified aging in place specialist, fall prevention specialist, and occupational therapist have given her a deep understanding of the struggles that family caregivers face. I've had the pleasure of connecting with Consuela and I'm thrilled to have her on the show today. Her genuine care for others shines through as she shares practical advice on how we can live a fulfilling life while caring for our loved ones. Thank you, Consuela, for sharing your insights with us today!

Consuela shares about:

• How caregiving shaped her compassion in bringing caregiving support to families
• The struggles that family caregivers face
• How she found her foothold
• How we find boundaries and balance in caregiving
• The ways we can start on the path that can lead to easier days and brighter days
• How caregiving looks different for every person, and every family,  no two are exactly alike
• She gives us permission to create an environment that supports our caregiving
• Empowering our loved ones to live their full lives
• Where we can learn more and work with Consuela

Learn more at FindingAFoothold.com

Finding A Foothold Coaching and Consulting Services is devoted to improving the quality of the life of the caregiver and therefore enhancing the life of the care recipient. 

The aim is to arm caregivers with the skills needed to deliver care to their loved ones in a manner that is safe and efficient, equipping them with the tools needed to identify needs, set in place safety measures and strategies, and create a team of support which allows them to thrive and have successes and victories in the midst of the challenges of caregiving.

*This episode is brought to you by Gigi Betty co. A boutique gift shop raising awareness and funds for caregivers and care partners. Show now at www.gigibettyco.com. Use the special code WILLGATHER20 for 20% off your order- Just for our podcast listeners!

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

As we age we want to remain independent, keep our active lifestyle, look stylish, and stay safe. My guest today is Mara Perlmutter, founder of Trelawear and senior fashion and jewelry executive. What began as a passion project, solving an issue that hit close to come for Mara when her mom refused to wear any of the unattractive generic personal emergency response devices.

Mara's mom said, "Mara you've been in the jewelry business for over 25 years, can't you make me something beautiful to wear in case of an emergency?" In wanting to create a beautiful dignified solution, Trelawear was created. Through their partnerships with leading Bluetooth tech developers and FallCall Solutions, Trelawear offers peace of mind and a fashionable solution to remain independent and stylish.

It is not only easy to use, but it is also simple to set up and brings a spark of joy to our day. I'm thrilled to support this purpose-driven mission of women caring for women. These pendants make women look and feel beautiful while keeping them safe. I enjoyed this interview. Thank you, Mara, for fulfilling your mom's request, disrupting this part of the industry, and bringing to light a fashionable, easy-to-use device and meeting the needs of caregivers and older adults everywhere.

Mara shares about:

• Her story as she fulfilled her mom's request for fashion and safety
• The business of developing a new type of personal emergency response device
• Why emergency response is important for independence and the value of safety
• How Trelawear works and the technology to support safety
• The ways we can talk to our loved ones about wearing personal emergency response devices
• Feeling supported as we age and how it sparks joy and peace in our day
• Where we can learn more

*A special offer for my listeners- use the code WILLGATHER50 at checkout for 50$ off of your purchase and your first 2 months of monitoring service free.

Learn more at Trelawear.com 

*This episode is brought to you by Gigi Betty co. A boutique gift shop raising awareness and funds for caregivers and care partners. Show now at www.gigibettyco.com. Use the special code WILLGATHER20 for 20% off your order- Just for our podcast listeners!

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Finding freedom, redemption, and revealing all of those things that we typically don’t share with others in our caregiving- that is the mission and the movement behind Brutally Beautiful.

Brutally Beautiful was co-founded by Heather Zoccali.  She is also the founder of No Barriers Caregiver Program. She is a survivor, storyteller, author, retreat innovator, and podcast co-host.

As my guest today, Heather gives us permission to have a holistic approach to our healing, understand forgiveness, and the ability to fuse humor into our caregiving. She empowers us to choose vulnerability, share deeply personal stories, and rediscover who we are outside of our caregiver role. Brutally Beautiful moves their mission forward by hosting innovative nature-based retreats, interactive workshops and supporting caregiver communities.

As we reset the narrative that can be imposed on us in our caregiving, we can re-discover our own voice. Heather's #somuchmore campaign does just that. I'm honored to share Heather's story and work. Thank you, Heather, for creating a space where we can be empowered to share our own story.

Heather shares about:

• Her story as she found her voice in caregiving
• The superpowers of vulnerability, voice, choice, forgiveness, and play
• Resetting the narrative that we are #somuchmore and discovering ourselves outside of our caregiver role
• How we can have self-compassion
• Practicing boundaries in our caregiving
• Her encouragement that we can heal, address trauma, find joy, and play
• The many ways in which Brutally Beautiful supports caregivers so they can heal
• Join their #somuchmore campaign to raise your voice in caregiving

Learn more at https://www.brutallybeautiful.life/

*This episode is brought to you by Gigi Betty co. A boutique gift shop raising awareness and funds for caregivers and care partners. Show now at www.gigibettyco.com. Use the special code WILLGATHER20 for 20% off your order- Just for our podcast listeners!

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

How do we keep track of our health information stored in multiple locations? Numerous health records and documents need to be collected from various doctors and providers when overseeing our loved ones care.

My guest today is Jean Ross, she is the co-founder of Primary Record. Primary Record is a safe and secure way to organize, discuss, and easily share your health information with those that matter. It’s a mobile application that all families need! It’s necessary for individuals and caregivers of those with complex medical conditions. Jean spent six years in critical care, she was able to see the frustration that disconnected health information was causing families.

Primary Record is the future of how families will access health information stored in multiple locations. Families are excited about how Primary Records gives them a medical home base. It allows them to easily share their health story in meaningful ways with their loved ones and providers.

I had the opportunity to spend time with Jean at The Care Colloquium. It was a joy to meet her! Thank you, Jean, for the great interview and for bringing about change in how we share and access our medical information. Cheering you on!

Jean shares about:

• How her path as a critical care nurse drove her to see change in health information
• The state of health information and medical records at the moment
• How family caregivers manage their loved ones health information
• The responsibility of overseeing medical records and best practices
• The ways in which Primary Record supports individuals and loved ones
• The importance of sharing our health story for comprehensive care
• The ways in which Primary Record saves families time and energy
• Where we can learn more and feel supported

*We are excited to be a community partner with Primary Record. Please use the code WILLGATHER20 when accessing & downloading the Primary Record app.

About Jean Ross, RN & Primary Record

Primary Record is a safe and secure way to organize, discuss and easily share your health information with those who matter. It is the mobile application all families need and a necessity for individuals or caregivers of those living with complex medical conditions.

Primary Record is building the future of how families will access health information stored in multiple places in one secure place to organize and share over their lifetime.

See how it works: https://records.primaryrecord.com/

The team at Primary Record believes the future of care starts with families having easy, secure access to their health data so they can support each other and access care designed for them.

Connect with Primary Record:

Website: https://www.primaryrecord.com/

*This episode is supported by Gigi Betty co. A boutique gift shop raising awareness and funds for caregivers and care partners. Show now at www.gigibettyco.com. Use the special code WILLGATHER20 for 20% off your order- Just for our podcast listeners!

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Resilience. That is the word that comes to mind when I think of my guest today, Kandis Draw. Kandis was 30 yrs old when she found herself in a full-time role caring for her mom and also her younger siblings. Kandis shares her story, her caregiving challenges, her resilience, the ways she is rebuilding her life after caregiving, and how this has fueled her mission for advocacy.

Kandis and I had the opportunity to meet at The Care Colloquium. It was a joy to meet Kandis and hear her story of resilience. Thank you, Kandis, for sharing with us. Keep advocating!

Kandis shares about:

• Her story of being a young caregiver
• How receiving her mom's cancer diagnosis changed her world
• The ways in which being a young caregiver impacted her life
• Caring for her younger siblings
• Her caregiving challenges
• Finding support in caregiving
• Where she pulls her strength from
• How her story has fueled her mission and brought her into action
• How she is rebuilding her life

About Kandis Draw

Kandis is an advocate, educator, and writer. At the age of 30, she was thrust into the role of caregiver- taking care of her mom and younger siblings. Her mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer.

Kandis knows the deep struggles and challenges that young caregivers are faced with and shares her story to inspire and help others. She is also an experienced columnist and contributes to caregiving.com.

To connect with Kandis visit HERE.

*This episode is brought to you by Gigi Betty co. A boutique gift shop raising awareness and funds for caregivers and care partners. Show now at www.gigibettyco.com. Use the special code WILLGATHER20 for 20% off your order- Just for our podcast listeners!

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

We want to feel confident when we are making medical decisions for our loved ones. Today, my guest is Dr. Brittany Lamb, a board-certified emergency medicine physician, dementia family educator, and advocate.  Working in the ER, she experiences many family members needing to make decisions for their loved ones aging and those living with dementia.

Dr. Lamb is here to bring caregivers a message of hope. She shares that there are solutions to tackle the overwhelm that families experience and provide a way to prevent burnout. As families, we want to know that we are honoring our loved one's wishes and taking into account what is important to them and their goals of care.

What I would have given to have Dr. Lamb's insight and information at my fingertips when we were caring for my Gigi Betty. The support would have been valuable. I'm so happy she is here and sharing her knowledge with all of us. Thank you, Dr. Lamb!

Dr. Lamb shares about:

• How growing up managing healthcare decisions and her grandparent's influence brought her into practicing medicine
• Trends she is seeing in the healthcare
• Managing caregiver burnout
• The common mistakes we can make when making medical decisions for our loved ones
• The ways in which planning ahead prevents burnout and overwhelm
• How the pillars of planning can support our care
• All about medical decision planning
• What documents we need in place to support our loved ones' healthcare decisions
• How quality of life plays a role in our care
• The many ways Dr. Brittany Lamb supports families and provides education

Dr. Brittany Lamb is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician, dementia family educator and advocate.

In the ER she sees the overwhelm and stress people go through when having to make medical decisions unexpectedly. Family members choosing on behalf of their person living with dementia have even greater challenges.

Outside of the ER, Dr. Lamb supports and educates dementia family caregivers, on the importance of, and how to, plan for future medical decisions. Her goal is to deliver the information needed to make informed decisions into the hands of family caregivers through social media, a blog, and an online program.

Caregivers who work with her inside her online program “Make Your Plan with Dr. Lamb” create a medical decision plan unique to their person so they can choose confidently and have peace of mind.

Connect with Dr. Brittany Lamb:

https://blambmd.com/

**Episode brought to you by Gigi Betty co. A boutique gift shop raising awareness & funds for caregivers and care partners. Shop now at www.gigibettyco.com.

Use the special code WILLGATHER20 for 20% off your order- Just for our podcast listeners.

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

How we navigate conflict and communication with our siblings and family members can play a role in how we care for our loved ones. At times, those dynamics can stem from our childhood and influence how we interact and show up for our family members in caregiving.

My guest this week is Michele Magner. She is the founder of MicheleMagner.com and the host of Inspired Caring Podcast. Michele offers families and senior living communities support as they navigate the challenges of caring for aging loved ones by reducing stress and burnout giving families peace of mind. Michele focuses on creating calm, clarity, and confidence. These are three words we can definitely hang onto as we care for our loved ones.

Michele spent many years caring for both of her grandmothers and in-laws. Her time working in senior living communities combined with her gerontology background gives her unique insight into how to help family members on their aging journey.  This episode has so many good nuggets of information. I found myself taking notes and writing down the words that Michele was sharing- I know you will too! Thank you, Michele!

Michele shares about:

• Caring for both of her grandmothers and in-laws
• Navigating conflict with our siblings and family members
• How childhood dynamics can show up as we care for our parents
• What can lead to family unrest and disagreements
• How stress can affect how we interact and care for our loved ones
• Tools to work through fear and the unknown
• Finding joy in family caregiving
• Setting boundaries and shifting our mindset as ways to care successfully
• Caregiving with kids

To connect with Michele visit www.MicheleMagner.com.

LISTEN NOW:  Apple Podcasts, Spotify & on your favorite podcast platform.

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

There can be a communication and engagement gap between the majority of the population and older adults, people with disabilities, and people living with dementia.  Mainstream technology is not always serving these demographics but with intentional design applied to the development of products and services, we can bridge this gap.

This is the mission of Sociavi,  a platform specifically designed for those who are aging, physically challenged, and cognitively impaired.  The platform promotes engagement and a meaningful one-on-one connection avoiding social isolation and loneliness. Their mission is to provide the simplest way for older adults to maintain communication and companionship even when they’ve lost the ability to actively reach out by themselves.

My guest today is Paula Muller, founder of Sociavi. She brings her lifelong passion for technology and the desire to bring older adults and their families together.  Thus SOCIAVI was born, meaning in Latin to “share” & “unite”, with the goal of keeping those aging in place and their families connected and closer together. Thank you, Paula, for sharing your heart with us and for your gentle spirit. I'm so thankful our paths crossed.

Paula shares about:

• Her professional and personal background and Sociavi's mission to support older adults and families
• How we can support persons living with dementia
• How mainstream technology is not serving our older adults and how Sociavi can help
• The ways in which Sociavi supports engagement and connection between older adults and families
• How could this change the life of a person living with dementia
• Sociavi Brain Fitness Programs are cognitive exercises and activities
• Paula's volunteering work with the Alzheimer's Association as Bilingual Community Educator and Bilingual Support Group Facilitator
• Where we can learn more about Sociavi

About Paula Muller & Sociavi

Paula Muller, Ph.D. is the Founder of Sociavi Co. She has a lifelong passion for technology applied to healthcare. She got her M.S. in Biomedical Engineering in Chile working with the blind, then in Switzerland, she analyzed EEGs to prevent epileptic seizures, followed by her Ph.D. and Post-doc work at Rutgers with Parkinson's patients, and later at Authentidate with Telehealth products and services.

Paula is certified in Individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (iCST), a Dementia Sales Advisor (DSA-NC), a Dementia Care Certified (CDC), a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Care Training (CADDCT), and a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), and volunteers as a bilingual Community Educator and support group facilitator for the Alzheimer's Association.

The concept of Sociavi evolved from her professional background as well as her strong commitment to family relations and lifetime connections. Thus SOCIAVI was born, meaning in Latin to “share” & “unite”, with the goal of keeping those aging in place and their families connected and closer together.

At Sociavi Company, we design products specifically for those who are aging, physically challenged, and cognitively impaired including dementia & Alzheimer’s. Our products promote engagement in 1:1 meaningful connections, avoiding social isolation, and loneliness by providing stimulating and soothing activities. Our mission is to provide the simplest way for aging adults to maintain communication and companionship even when they may have lost the ability to actively reach out by themselves due to dementia or normal aging, giving peace of mind to the ones who care for them.

Sociavi Website: https://www.sociavi.com

LinkedIn Sociavi: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sociavi

FB Sociavi: https://www.facebook.com/sociavic2m

IM Sociavi: https://www.instagram.com/sociavi_to_share_and_unite

TW Sociavi: https://twitter.com/sociavi1

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

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Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

What do we do when we learn our loved one has a new diagnosis of dementia? What questions do we ask? Where do we go to learn how to support our loved ones?

Today, my guest is Leslie Fuller, she is the founder and CEO of Inspired Senior Care. Her goal is to bring interactive education to families and senior living communities to create sustainable cultures of care. As a social gerontologist and social worker, Leslie understands the unique challenges that families face when supporting their loved ones and how to find success as a care partner.

Leslie is a wealth of knowledge and her positive energy gives us the tools to focus on our loved one's strengths. This conversation encourages us to create a culture that supports the quality of life for our older adults and senior living communities. Thank you, Leslie, for joining me and teaching us how to be "wildly curious", have a strength-based perspective, and be active in seeking to understand our loved ones.

Leslie shares about:

• Her background in dementia education and tools to support families
• Creating a community culture that supports quality of life for older adults, families, and eldercare professionals
• What to do when we receive the new dementia diagnosis
• How do we interact with our loved ones and best care for them
• The support we need in the stages of care
• How we get unstuck from fear
• Implementing a strength-based perspective
• What it means to be wildly curious
• How being a detective encourages our creativity in care
• What resources and support are available

To learn more and connect with Leslie, visit Inspired Senior Care.

Our favorite Instagram follows linked below!

@inspiredseniorcare

@belightcare

@dementiadarling

@dementia_careblazers

@thedementiaguru

@momofmymom

@misspatticake

About Leslie Fuller & Inspired Senior Care

My name is Leslie Fuller and I am the founder and owner of Inspired Senior Care. For the past 13 years, I have focused my career on seniors and more than half has been focused on dementia care education.  My goal for Inspired Senior Care is to bring interactive education to organizations serving seniors, to help them create a sustainable culture of quality care based on creating genuine relationships, adapted communication skills, and problem solving.  Working with older adults has been life changing for me.  In The best of ways.  Looking forward to continuing inspiring and impacting the lives of seniors, their families, and the staff supporting them.

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

How do we create time to care for ourselves while we are juggling all of our caregiving responsibilities?

Today, my guest is Elizabeth Miller, founder of Happy Healthy Caregiver. Elizabeth created a place to feel supported as a caregiver when you feel isolated or overwhelmed by all of your responsibilities. Elizabeth's caregiver responsibilities were elevated when she cared for her mom and dad with chronic comorbidities. Feeling stressed and overwhelmed she decided to learn more about caregiving and how to implement self-care strategies to care for herself. Finding success by adopting and prioritizing self-care, she is sharing her tools with us.

This community of support offers resources for family caregivers, sharing helpful information and partners with businesses to make change in supporting caregivers. Elizabeth is also the host of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast which celebrates and shares caregivers' stories.

Elizabeth shares about:

• Her experience caring for aging parents with chronic and terminal illnesses and for a sibling with developmental disabilities
• The signs of caregiver burnout and what to look for
• How we grow in the practice of caring for ourselves while managing all of our caregiver responsibilities
• The ways we can prioritize self-care
• How we can implement practical self-care modalities into our day
• What we can say when we are setting boundaries for ourselves
• How we can get over the guilt by putting ourselves first
• The important work that Elizabeth is doing through her podcast, consulting, speaking, and support for the caregiver community

Visit Happy Healthy Caregiver to learn more and purchase your self-care journal HERE.

About Elizabeth Miller & Happy Healthy Caregiver

Elizabeth Miller is a family caregiver, caregiver advocate, speaker, author, podcast host, and Certified Caregiving Consultant. Her personal experiences caring for aging parents with chronic and terminal illnesses and for a sibling with developmental disabilities inspired her to create Happy Healthy Caregiver in 2015. She is an empty nester living in Marietta, GA with her husband and two dogs.

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Memories can bring us happiness but they can also be a constant reminder of the loss that we’ve experienced. Grief can change and evolve from moment to moment. No one can predict how we will experience grief and how others will respond.

My guest today is Patti LaFleur, she is a former care partner for her mom, Linda, who had mixed dementia. Eventually, Linda came to live with Patti, and the two shared "love, fun, and joy" every day. She continues to honor her mom by sharing her story and changing the stigma around dementia.

Patti has a large following on social media and shows us how we can truly connect with our loved ones, hold space for grief, and share joyful moments along the way.

She continues her advocacy as a volunteer and community educator with the Alzheimers Association, Caring Across Generations, and other organizations that empower and encourage care partners.

Thank you, Patti, for sharing all you've learned about love, loss, and compassion- I know your mom was your biggest cheerleader and she is smiling from above. Through it all, the love remains and you are spreading it everywhere. Thank you!

Patti shares about:

• Why she chooses to share her story of caring for her mom
• How she is changing the stigma around dementia
• What she wishes others would understand about grief
• How our relationships can change and evolve as we grieve
• What not to say to someone grieving
• The ways we can support others in their grief
• Navigating the holidays and special events in grief
• Honoring our boundaries and personal journey in grief
• Her favorite times with her mom

About Patti LaFleur

Patti LaFleur is the former care partner for her Mom, Linda, who had mixed dementia. She cared for her Mom for three years. These two were the perfect duo. They shared fun, love and joy together every day. Linda and Patti even made a special trip to Disney before Linda passed in March.

Since Linda's passing, Patti has continued to advocate and raise awareness for the dementia and Alzheimer's community. She volunteers for the Alzheimer's association as a community educator and volunteers in the art class that her Mom attend. She shares her story actively on social media (misspatticake on instagram) and wants to change the stigma around dementia. She is shining a light on dementia and is sharing her story along the way.

Please follow Patti @misspatticake on Instagram and @carepartnerpatti on TikTok.

Visit carepartnerpatti.com for more information.

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

How do we support caregivers in all of their caring responsibilities? It’s essential that we solve real problems for our family caregivers. There can be so much coming at us, from organizing care, trying to find help, managing daily tasks, and then communicating all of the logistics with others in our life. 

My guest today is Michele Houck, family caregiver and VP of marketing for CircleOf. CircleOf is a free app for family caregivers to provide support and information. It's a place to stay connected, organize care, receive help and encouragement and manage all of our caregiving tasks in one location.

Michelle has been a family caregiver since she was 16 years old. She cared for her mother and sister, both with breast cancer.  This conversation unearthed quite a bit of emotion and it's a great reminder of why we need to seek support when we need it most. When we are in the throes of caregiving we can experience decision fatigue and caregiver brain- we talk about how this impacts us, the emotional charge it brings, the anxiety we can experience, and how to have empathy for ourselves. As we put productivity tools in place to help us manage care, it gives us space and frees us to be able to focus on what is truly important- our loved ones. Thank you, Michele, for so beautifully sharing your story with us and trusting me to be there with you.

Michele shares about:

• Her personal story of being a serial caregiver
• Why CircleOf was made to help caregivers and why they are free for all
• The various caregiver personas we have
• How we bring empathy to our caregiver brain and find support
• What collaboration can bring in supporting caregivers
• The value that productivity tools can bring for caregivers
• Encouragement and support for caregivers- tips to feel supported

CircleOf: A Caregiving App

"We’re here to help you navigate your day-to-day life as a caregiver and empower you to delegate tasks so you can still have time for yourself."

Visit CircleOf.com for more information.

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Currently, there are about 40 million working caregivers in the United States. What does this mean? In America, $68 billion dollars a year is being lost by US companies. We are losing money with absenteeism, presenteeism, and retaining our caregiver workforce. How do we support working caregivers? 

My guest today is Debbie Howard, she is an author, speaker, and founder of Aging Matters International.  Thank you, Debbie, for amplifying caregiver-related challenges and providing much-needed solutions.

As Debbie states, "Caregiving does not spare any generation". Debbie was running a business in Japan and had lived there for many years when she needed to move back to South Carolina to take care of her mom. In the midst of juggling work, keeping her job afloat, and the challenges that came with balancing work and caregiving turned Debbie into an advocate so others can have a better caregiving experience in the long run.

Debbie shares about:

• The state of the global caregiving crisis
• How the caregiving crisis impacts the workplace and companies
• The business case for companies to implement caregiver-friendly policies
• The ways we can identify who our caregiver employees are
• Where we can begin to foster employee wellness
• Challenges in the workplace to support caregivers
• The practical ways that companies can support caregivers
• How companies of any size can improve the offerings to support employee caregivers

About Debbie Howard

Through her 30+ years of work in Japan, Debbie translates consumer research into clear strategic direction for global clients across a wide range of categories - including age-tech products and services. Also, a former caregiver on a mission to change the way the world looks at caregiving, Debbie’s work focuses on helping companies create more caregiver-friendly workplaces by supporting their employee caregivers, while reducing the related risks of absenteeism, turnover, and future healthcare costs. For individuals, her offerings include curated resources to help with navigating the many aspects of caregiving, as well as a free annual self-care challenge.

Debbie co-moderates three “Rethinking Aging” Clubhouse programs (Age-Friendly Products Alliance sponsored by AARP, News for the Ages, and Shifting the Culture of Caregiving), and two podcasts: Women Who Care and Caregiver Camps, and is a frequent podcast and webinar guest.

With the launch of AMI in 2016, Debbie brought her market research acumen to the world of caregiving.

Her first book (The Caregiving Journey: Information. Guidance. Inspiration.) supports individuals in going beyond logistics in managing their caregiving situations with ease and grace.

Her second book (The Caregiving Crisis: What It Costs Your Business and How You Can Fix It) was released in March 2022, and guides companies with practical ways to support their employee caregivers and create more caregiver-friendly workplaces.

To learn more and connect with Debbie Howard:

https://www.thecaregivingjourney.com

Contact: Debbie@thecaregivingjourney.com

LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram 

For Companies:

Download our complimentary resources for BUSINESSES here: https://thecaregivingcrisis.com/resources/

For Individuals:

Download our complimentary resources for INDIVIDUALS here: https://www.thecaregivingjourney.com/resources/

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Did you know that 70% of the world's aging population lives in economically developing countries?  My guest today is Stacy Shewey, the founder and CEO of Hands 4Life Inc. This non-profit serves developing nations by pairing orphan children with orphan seniors to create a beautiful new family. Stacy felt called to bring hope and support by creating intergenerational homes, and providing community outreach and education. Hands 4Life is shining a light on the need for care, housing, education, and support by partnering with the local community and industry leaders.

Thank you, Stacy, for being the hands of love and bringing hope and support to those that need it most. Thank you for sharing so vulnerably with us about loss, grief, receiving care, and being a caregiver.

I'm honored to support a grandparent with Hands 4Life. It's been a gift to me to share video messages and resources. Join me in supporting Hands 4Life! 

Stacy shares about:

• Hands 4Life's mission and story
• Caring for the caregivers in developing nations
• What the current state of eldercare looks like in other countries
• The most pressing needs for older adults in developing nations right now 
• Bringing the generations together and how it brings purpose and a brighter future.
• The sustainable, educational, and positive economic impact that Hands 4Life brings
• The education programs that are in place
• How partnerships and support have impacted lives
• How loss and being the care recipient shapes how we care for others
• The ways we can care for the caregiver in our life

About Stacy Shewey & Hands4Life

Stacy is an entrepreneur who built a successful hospitality company where she owned and operated hotel properties, freelanced as a hotel feasibility consultant and was a consultant/investor on a 60M resort start-up. She served as an Executive Director of an assisted living and memory care community, where she gained experience in the senior living industry. She is a visionary who takes ideas and brings them to life.

After being in the senior living and hospitality industry for my whole career, I felt called to take my experiences and knowledge and serve those in developing nations. We all know we are in an aging crisis in the US, but few realize we are in a global aging crisis where there is no plan to care for the vulnerable and forgotten senior population. It was with this revelation Hands 4Life was born.

To support Hand4Life and to learn more visit, www.h4lworld.org

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

How do we manage it all as a caregiver? As Amy Goyer states, "I can do anything but I can't do everything". With support, we are able to learn, adapt and adjust. Having access to information and tips from other caregivers we are able to fill supported so we can feel successful. 

Today we are doing just that. My guest today is Amy Goyer, author of AARP's Juggling Life, Work, and Caregiving. She is a writer, speaker, and consultant specializing in caregiving.  Amy is a passionate champion for family caregivers as she merges her personal experience with her professional life. Amy shares her personal caregiving journey along with actionable tips to support family caregivers. She’s been a family caregiver almost her entire adult life. Her role as a caregiver has been varied, from long-distance caregiving to very hands-on care for her parents.

Amy Goyer has also been featured in interviews and appearances by ABC, NBC, CBS, NPR,  The New York Times, and many more. It was a joy to meet Amy in person as we recorded our episode live at The Care Colloquium in Virginia. This conference brought thought leaders together in the care economy to collaborate and tackle big care issues. It was wonderful to meet so many leaders sharing their good work. Amy Goyer was our keynote speaker and it was a  privilege to have the opportunity to interview her. Thank you, Amy, for using your voice to encourage families and bring important conversations to the forefront!

Amy shares about:

• Her personal story of caregiving and lessons learned
• How we build a supportive team around us is an important asset
• Managing the emotions of grief and loss
• Bringing awareness to the financial implications of providing care and creating conversation around finances 
• The importance of journaling in caregiving
• Not judging ourselves and the importance of feeling the variety of emotions we have
• How we can use the skills we have learned in caregiving and then apply them to our life
• Having realistic expectations for yourself
• Choosing our mindset that we do have choice and agency in our decisions
• How we can proactively create moments of joy

*Amy Goyer is speaking as an independent consultant and not as an AARP representative.

Amy Goyer, author of Juggling Life, Work and Caregiving is a writer, speaker and consultant specializing in caregiving and family issues. An often-quoted media authority, she has been interviewed by CNN, NPR, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal and People, among other media outlets. She has also appeared on Dr. Phil, The Doctors, and has been a frequent guest on the TODAY Show. With nearly 40 years of professional experience in the field of aging at the local, state and national levels, she is also a Certified Aging in Place Specialist. Amy’s work is the perfect fusion of her professional and personal experience. She is a passionate champion for family caregivers and has been one her entire adult life, caring for her grandparents, parents, sister and other family members and friends.

You can connect with Amy at amygoyer.com and on
Twitter, Facebook,  Youtube , LinkedIn, Pinterest and Instagram.

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.