The Whole Caregiver Podcast

Preparing for Safety: Aging Loved Ones and Caregiver Insights

Join hosts Erna and Megan in the final episode of The Whole Caregiver podcast as they welcome back Susan Chaityn Lebovits. Dive into a comprehensive discussion on ensuring the safety of aging loved ones, emphasizing early preparation. Susan shares practical tips on home modifications, from installing grab bars to rearranging household items for accessibility.
Discover strategies to introduce safety measures to loved ones and learn the importance of regular health check-ups, including eye and hearing tests. The episode highlights the significance of power of attorney, healthcare directives, and POLST forms in planning for end-of-life care. Gain valuable insights and resources to support caregivers on their journey, ensuring they are not alone in navigating the complexities of aging care.
You can find Susan at Ease into Aging: Susan@EaseintoAging.com
Here is the helpful information Susan compiled for our episodes: 
Secure your loved one with a home care organization before there’s an emergency.At the least, do the research and have the information ready!
Maintaining social connections is critical to healthy aging for:● Sense of community● Strengthening brain synapses to maintain memory● Physical activity (getting to and from event)
Some seniors avoid socializing. Keep in mind that what may appear as being stubborn could actually be:● Social anxiety● Concern of finding a toilet● Painful to walk● Fear of technology● Lack of transportation● Hearing loss● Vision loss
Have an annual vision check to ensure safety.
Have an annual hearing test to avoid social isolation.
Home Safety Checklist
Find Caregiving
Caregiving Plan to Download and Print
Websites and Apps to Aid Families with Caregiving Support
Find a Geriatric Care Manager
Moving Support- Find a Senior Moving Manager
End of Life Planning
POLST Forms

Navigating Communication Challenges in Caregiving

Welcome back to another enlightening episode of "The Whole Caregiver" with your hosts, Erna and Megan. In this second installment of our series with Susan, we delve deep into the intricacies of communication as our loved ones age. Susan shares her wealth of experience and insights on the physical and emotional changes that impact communication, offering practical techniques to improve interactions with aging parents.
Throughout the episode, Susan highlights the importance of understanding the emotional versus cognitive changes in our loved ones and how these affect their ability to express and process information. From mobility issues to social isolation, learn about the barriers that can hinder effective communication and how to overcome them.
Discover strategies to help aging parents maintain their dignity and independence, while also ensuring their safety and well-being. Explore the role of social connections in enhancing emotional and physical health, and hear real-life examples of how caregivers can navigate challenging situations with empathy and understanding.
Tune in for valuable takeaways on utilizing geriatric care managers, community resources, and innovative solutions to support caregivers and their loved ones. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the complexities of caregiving and seeking to foster meaningful communication with their aging family members.
You can find Susan Chaityn Lebovits at Ease into Aging: Susan@EaseintoAging.com
Here is the information Susan compiled for our episodes:
Secure your loved one with a home care organization before there’s an emergency.At the least, do the research and have the information ready!
Maintaining social connections is critical to healthy aging for:● Sense of community● Strengthening brain synapses to maintain memory● Physical activity (getting to and from event)
Some seniors avoid socializing. Keep in mind that what may appear as being stubborn could actually be:● Social anxiety● Concern of finding a toilet● Painful to walk● Fear of technology● Lack of transportation● Hearing loss● Vision loss
Have an annual vision check to ensure safety.
Have an annual hearing test to avoid social isolation.
Home Safety Checklist
Find Caregiving
Caregiving Plan to Download and Print
Websites and Apps to Aid Families with Caregiving Support
Find a Geriatric Care Manager
Moving Support- Find a Senior Moving Manager
End of Life Planning
POLST Forms

Navigating the Caregiving Journey: Insights and Support

Join hosts Erna and Megan in this heartfelt episode of The Whole Caregiver, where they welcome their friend and guest, Susan Chaityn Lebovits. Susan shares her personal and professional caregiving journey, providing insights into the challenges and solutions she encountered along the way.
Susan recounts her experience of stepping up to care for her mother after her father's passing, highlighting the importance of support systems and addressing the emotional and practical aspects of caregiving. With stories of empathy and community, Susan emphasizes the need for early planning and the benefits of building a supportive network before crises arise.
The episode also explores Susan's professional path, including her initiative, Ease Into Aging, aimed at supporting caregivers and corporations. Erna, Megan, and Susan delve into the significance of asking for help and fostering a broader community of care.
Tune in to discover valuable takeaways for caregivers, including the importance of seeking help, preparing for the unexpected, and embracing a village approach to caregiving. This episode is a touching reminder of the strength found in community and the power of empathy in caregiving.
Susan shared some important insights and resources with us that we will include in our show notes for the next three episodes.
You can find Susan at Ease into Aging: Susan@EaseintoAging.com
Secure your loved one with a home care organization before there’s an emergency.At the least, do the research and have the information ready!
Maintaining social connections is critical to healthy aging for:● Sense of community● Strengthening brain synapses to maintain memory● Physical activity (getting to and from event)
Some seniors avoid socializing. Keep in mind that what may appear as being stubborn could actually be:● Social anxiety● Concern of finding a toilet● Painful to walk● Fear of technology● Lack of transportation● Hearing loss● Vision loss
Have an annual vision check to ensure safety.
Have an annual hearing test to avoid social isolation.
Home Safety Checklist
Find Caregiving
Caregiving Plan to Download and Print
Websites and Apps to Aid Families with Caregiving Support
Find a Geriatric Care Manager
Moving Support- Find a Senior Moving Manager
End of Life Planning
POLST Forms

Bonus: Megan Shares About Current Self-Care Focus

Join Megan for a bonus episode focusing on the importance of self-care during life's many transitions. Having recently moved and faced with a new environment, Megan shares her personal journey of managing anxiety and OCD, particularly the challenges associated with returning to a culture that contributed to her struggles with scrupulosity.
Discover how a health coaching session helped Megan realize the weight of her responsibilities and the importance of acknowledging feelings of overwhelm. This episode serves as a reminder that caregiving, while rewarding, can be exhausting and it is okay to seek support when needed.
Megan encourages listeners to validate their feelings, embrace both positive and challenging experiences, and find solidarity in shared journeys. Tune in to hear her reassuring message that you're not alone, and we're all doing the best we can.

Season 2: The Ongoing Challenges of Caregiving--Erna

In this episode, Megan interviews Erna about the ongoing challenges she encountered while caring for her mom. Erna described the following challenges:
1. Scheduling and Traveling: By trying to do everything, Erna realized she had not planned time for herself. Because of this, she made herself sick. 
2. Asking for Help: Due to the wise words of a therapist, Erna learned that she was doing too much, and she could rely on others to help with her mom. She used an organization called Visiting Angels: https://www.visitingangels.com/.
Episode take homes: It is okay to not be there all of the time or do everything. Also, get therapy if you need it :). 
Don't forget to find us on Facebook at The Whole Caregiver or follow us on Instagram @thewholecaregiver.
Email us any questions, ideas, or feedback at: caregiverrevolution@gmail.com

Season 2: The Ongoing Challenges of Caregiving--Megan

In this episode, Erna interviews Megan about the consistent challenges related to family caregiving in her life. Megan identifies:
1. Sleep (or lack of)
2. The difficulty of transitioning care during a move. 
With caregiving, Megan has lived in four different states and has navigated the health and school systems with her kids. A big surprise with this current move was the nurse ratios at the school, which are far below the national recommendations of 1 nurse per 750 children as a minimum. With the growing complexity of child health, these ratios should be even further reduced. Here is more information about school nursing and safe ratios, if you want to reach out to school boards and state legislators:
https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/137/6/e20160852/52405/Role-of-the-School-Nurse-in-Providing-School
https://www.nasn.org/nasn-resources/professional-practice-documents/position-statements/ps-workload
Our take home is to not forget the power of your voice, and advocate for the helpers such as teachers and nurses among us. 
Don't forget to find us on Facebook at The Whole Caregiver or follow us on Instagram @thewholecaregiver.
Email us any questions, ideas, or feedback at: caregiverrevolution@gmail.com

Season 2: Introduction to Our New Format

Hello and welcome back to The Whole Caregiver! We are excited to launch our second season. This brief episode introduces you to some important changes that will be coming your way this season:
1. Social media engagement! We now have a Facebook page: The Whole Caregiver and an Instagram handle: @thewholecaregiver.
2. Email to share feedback and ask questions: caregiverrevolution@gmail.com
3. Content on social media including episode drops, Quote of the Week, Policy Advocacy with Erna, and Megan's Media Corner. 
We look forward to another season with all of you! Thank you for your support!

Season 1 Wrap-Up

In this short episode, we reflect on the first season of "The Whole Caregiver," and discuss what is ahead. We have so much gratitude for those who have been interviewed and for our listeners. Thank you for joining us on this journey as we have learned and continue to learn. Please join us next season starting in Fall 2024. Be on the lookout for social media engagement opportunities and ways you can communicate with us about your caregiving experiences and needs. 
Thank you and take care!!

Transitions: Megan

As we start wrapping up the season, Erna interviews Megan about caregiving transitions she has experienced. We discuss what might be ahead for Megan with her caregiving responsibilities for growing children and aging parents. The take home from this episode is to be present and accepting of where we are, regardless of whether it fits what we wanted or imagined. 
The quote of the week is by James Baldwin: “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
Many caregivers can relate to the experience of just having to go through, because sometimes that is the only choice. 
Megan mentioned once of James Baldwin's short stories--she called it "Sonny's Song," but it is called "Sonny's Blues." It is a beautiful story and worth checking out. 
Our news of the can be found here: https://fortune.com/well/2024/05/20/health-care-low-trust-health-literacy-cvs/
This article had sobering statistics about health literacy and how far we need to go in ensuring individuals have access to and can understand the health care system in the United States. 
Thank you for listening. We look forward to engaging with you more on social media and other outlets. 

Transitions: Lindsay

For this episode, we welcome a wonderful guest, Lindsay Fernandez. Lindsay Fernandez is a bereavement counselor, certified grief educator, certified grief movement guide, and founder of Life After Loss. Lindsay has navigated family caregiving with her mother, as well as the deep grief of her mother's death. Lindsay provided beautiful and insightful experiences and information for anyone who has been, is, or will be working through grief. We are so grateful for her time and expertise. We have provided additional information if you want to learn more about Lindsay and her work:
Her Instagram handle: @_lifeafterloss
Lindsay's essay: https://www.lifeafterloss.co/blog/learning-to-live-without-you
Our news item of the week focuses on paid caregivers, essential workers who deserve higher wages for the care and work they do. The article Erna highlighted addressed paid caregivers in Nebraska and the impact of increasing wages for these folks. Importantly, when these caregivers are paid a living wage, or higher than a living wage (ideally), the economy can be more robust, family caregivers receive some reprieve, and everyone is more well (paid caregivers, family caregivers, and the people receiving care). 
https://theconversation.com/paying-caregivers-more-could-boost-nebraskas-economy-new-research-227646
We will end with the quote of the day, which is the Serenity Prayer. This prayer represents a spiritual orientation to life that is used in Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs. It is most often attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr, an American theologian. 
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
Thank you for spending time with us! Take good care.