Aging Angst and Alleluias Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

On this episode of Aging Angst & Alleluias with Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly, we're celebrating a landmark moment for Veranda Ministries—the official signing of new legislation by Bill Lee that expands their reach! This victory means more clients served and an additional day of respite care each week—real help, real hope, and real impact for families navigating dementia care. It's a joyful, hard-earned win you won't want to miss.

And the celebration keeps going! Join us Thursday, April 30, 2026, for a one-of-a-kind Derby Day fundraiser—complete with six spirited horse-walker "racers," laughter, and community fun—all to support the life-changing work of The Veranda. It's more than an event… It's a "Standing Promotion" kind of day!

For more information on how you can contribute to Derby Day and choose your "horse", get on this link: https://verandaministries.square.site/product/2026-veranda-derby-day/XEMCXZ2T3ROAMUFF4QRZROEK?cs=true&cst=custom

In this powerful and joy-filled episode, we celebrate a significant milestone for respite care in Tennessee—new legislation that allows The Veranda to expand its reach, welcoming five additional clients into the day program and increasing care availability to 12 hours per week. This long-awaited breakthrough represents more than policy change—it's answered prayer, faithful perseverance, and a tangible step forward for caregivers and families who so deeply need support.

We also share the moving story of Julia, a devoted benefactor whose belief in Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly and her unwavering commitment to "honoring the project" helped carry the vision through seasons of uncertainty. Her generosity and faith remind us that behind every victory are people who quietly say "yes" to God's prompting—and mean it.

Plus, a heartfelt glimpse into a recent Dementia-Friendly Good Friday service, where sacred moments met real-life ministry. Mary Anne recounts the honor of singing "The Goodness of God" alongside her dear friend Louise, who lives with Frontal Temporal Dementia—a moment filled with tenderness, memory, and the unmistakable presence of God.

www.verandaministries.org

Respite care offers caregivers the opportunity to recharge and find joy, even in the midst of exhaustion. Caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's is sacred but draining, and humor often helps. This episode celebrates the gift of respite, which eases burdens and restores happiness.

Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly shares stories with producer, Sue Duffield, from Mike Glenn's book, "Coffee With Mom - Caring For A Parent With Dementia," guaranteed to make you laugh. Churches are increasingly welcoming individuals with memory loss, developing programs that support their families. This episode offers hope and laughter, reminding us that even in the midst of forgetfulness, God's love helps us remember what truly matters.

A "Faith, Music and Gratitude" concert benefiting The Veranda Ministries featuring Allison Durham Speer, Lauren Talley, Dave Clark, Billy Blackwood, Riley Harrison Clark, Josh Singletary, Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly, and Jeff & Sue Duffield, will take place at First Baptist Church of Goodlettsville, TN, on Tuesday, October 28th, 2025. Doors open at 6 pm. Admission is $10 per person, with a love offering during the event.

mailto:mao1024@gmail.com

www.verandaministries.org

Join us for an uplifting exploration of the life-changing impact of "Day Respite Care Centers" and the remarkable work of Veranda Ministries. You'll gain insight into the legal aspects of our program and get an exclusive update on the exciting changes on the horizon. We're eager to share our vision with you and invite your feedback on how just four hours can profoundly transform the lives of Tennessee's aging population and their families/care partners.

Your opinions will be instrumental in shaping our mission to support those living with dementia and the aging population. We welcome perspectives from all states, as many programs offer similar "day respite" services.

Please share your thoughts with us at mailto:mao1024@gmail.com. Your input will be invaluable in helping us drive positive change. 

www.verandaministries.org

Host Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly and her sidekick, producer Sue Duffield, will share their recent experiences with back problems, aching bodies, and the struggles of aging humorously. It's guaranteed to make you laugh out loud. 

However, beneath the humor, their conversation raises an important question: how do people with dementia cope with aches and pains? How can they communicate when they are hurting? It's a sobering thought that deserves attention and discussion. Being a CarePartner is challenging, but understanding your loved one in all stressful situations is essential to helping them adapt, adjust, and feel heard.

www.verandaministries.org

Laughter is good for our souls. It's especially good for those who have dementia, providing healing for those who grieve, no matter what our cognitive ability level might be.

Today's "all over the place" episode starts off hilariously with "Gomer the bull" and a visit to Andy's Custard. Next is Mary Anne's description of falling on a slippery bathroom floor, added with the discussion of GeneSight, a pharmacogenomic test which analyzes how genes may affect medication outcomes.

The GeneSight test is important for understanding genetic variations in your DNA. Results can inform your healthcare provider about how you may break down or respond to certain medications commonly prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other psychiatric conditions, including dementia and Alzheimer's.

www.verandaministries.org

www.genesight.com

Balcony People by Joyce Landorf Heatherly https://a.co/d/h00Ht0J

(Episode description by podcast producer, Sue Duffield)

"Today's episode goes much deeper than just a story about host Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly's sister, Doris. Her heart-felt words will throttle the listener into a Netflix-like mini-series of hope, despair, miracles and over-the-top depth of secrets revealed.

Mary Anne is at her finest here, but it took everything she had to disclose the family secret, all while her sister Doris transitioned into the after-life.

You will find great compassion and understanding as to why Mary Anne is a soldier for the kingdom of caregiving. She searched her whole life to find the missing piece of the puzzle, only to realize that God in His infinite timing would sweep her into a week of miracles."

www.verandaministries.org

Host Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly shares from her heart, knowing that she'll experience loss and grief very soon in her life, coping with the very thing which she compassionately teaches that comforts others. Caregivers, doulas and professionals like Mary Anne are typically the first line of support as they assist other dementia patients and their family members to cope with serious illness, feelings of loss, and the end of life. But now, it's her time. 

This episode begins with the celebration of a new building that is shared by both the Veranda Ministries and the Preferred Care Group. An extraordinary collaboration is available to both organizations as they learn and glean from each other.

And then there's Doris' story. Doris is Mary Anne's sister and her life is in the balance of God's hand right now. The grief she is feeling about her younger sibling is the emotional response to loss, defined as the individualized and personalized feelings and responses that an individual makes to real, perceived, or anticipated loss. The last gift that Mary Anne will give her sister is her presence, her words and her gift of love.

Who says those with dementia and Alzheimer's can't have fun?! What an exciting day at the Veranda Ministries for all who attended. The "ponies" ran (walkers decorated with blow-up horse heads!) and the laughter was contagious.

This episode includes LIVE coverage of an exceptional day of celebration for all of the Veranda family and friends. Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly's vision continues, knowing how crucial it is to engage those with dementia with creative activities that provide comfort and relaxation, improving their quality of life. 

Derby Day for dementia!

www.verandaministries.org

The brand new location for Veranda Ministries was celebrated with a dedication service, tasty food and community fellowship. This episode is filled with audio clips of the ribbon cutting and ceremony held on April 1st, 2025. Speakers Dusty Wells, Dr. Eddy Moody, Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly, Dave Clark, Billy Blackwood and others are featured in today's podcast episode, LIVE from the ceremony. A very exciting day for all, honoring the ministry of founder Mary Anne Oglesby Sutherly, her staff and countless volunteers. God's work is definitely first class here for those with dementia and their caregivers.

www.verandaministries.org