How can we truly support those who are balancing careers, caring for aging parents, and raising children? Today’s guest is on the frontlines of these challenges and has dedicated her career to finding innovative solutions. Dr. Tina Sadarangani, an Assistant Professor at NYU, is not only a board-certified adult and geriatric nurse practitioner but also a tech innovator and an NIH-funded scientist. Her work is driven by a deep passion for social determinants of health and advocating for health equity. Beyond her impressive academic achievements, Dr. Sadarangani knows firsthand the struggles of caregiving, as she is part of the “sandwich generation,” balancing the care of her aging parents while raising young children.

In this episode, we’ll explore Dr. Sadarangani's contributions to the field of aging and caregiving, including her award-winning mobile app, CareMobi, designed to enhance communication for families caring for loved ones, particularly those living with dementia. She also shares her insights on the systemic challenges caregivers face and how we can navigate the complexities of our healthcare system more effectively. With her unique blend of clinical expertise, research experience, and personal caregiving journey, Dr. Sadarangani offers a wealth of knowledge that promises to inspire and empower our listeners.

Join us as we dive into a conversation that touches on the heart of caregiving—balancing love, responsibility, and innovation. We’ll discuss practical strategies, the power of community, and the hope that comes from knowing we are not alone on this journey.

Learn more at https://nursing.nyu.edu/w/caremobi

 

Thank you to our sponsor Magic Mind. Recieve up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code NAVIGATINGTHEWORLD20 at checkout HERE: https://magicmind.com/navigatingtheworld

 

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

 

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!

How often do we contemplate the ripple effect of taking our medications as prescribed, particularly for the senior community? In today's episode, we're talking all about medication adherence, a cornerstone of effective healthcare, especially for our senior population.

My guest today is Dr. Sarah Almilli, an Advanced Clinical Pharmacist, Founder and CEO of ELAK Health Inc. Dr. Almilli's journey from Loma Linda University to her role in healthcare showcases her dedication to enhancing patient care. Her accolades, also include the esteemed 2024 40 under 40 Leadership Award.

In this conversation with Dr. Almilli, we'll tackle various facets of medication adherence, from common challenges faced by older adults to innovative digital solutions that can streamline healthcare management. We'll discuss how caregivers can better support their loved ones and the importance of discerning credible information in the vast digital health landscape. Prepare to gain valuable insights and practical tips as we explore how to navigate the complexities of healthcare with Dr. Almilli, bringing us her empathy and expertise in the field.

 

Learn more at https://elakhealth.org/

 

Thank you to our sponsor Magic Mind. Recieve up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code NAVIGATINGTHEWORLD20 at checkout HERE: https://magicmind.com/navigatingtheworld

 

 

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 

 

*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!

 

 

 

Allison Breininger became a caregiver for her husband, Sean, during his battle with a rare genetic disease. Through her experiences and the founding of The Negative Space, she has become a voice for those who often go unheard, providing a platform to discuss, support, and empower caregivers.

Today, we talk about the unique challenges spousal caregivers face, the importance of community support, and how society can better acknowledge and assist these vital yet often invisible pillars of strength. We talk through some hard-hitting questions: How does one navigate the emotional landscape of caring for a spouse? What misconceptions about self-care and support do caregivers encounter? How can friends and family offer meaningful help?

Allison will share her insights, shedding light on the reality of caregiving, offering advice, and discussing how her organization, The Negative Space, is paving the way for a future where caregivers receive the recognition and support they deserve. Join us as Allison shares about the strength and love at the heart of caregiving. Thank you, Allison!

Learn more at www.thenegativespace.life

Listen to our episode HERE.

Don't miss Allison's podcast In Sickness- Listen HERE.

Check out more of Allison's story on KARE 11 HERE.

 

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

 

*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!

 

How do we age well and improve our physicality and neuroplasticity? Studies show that being stimulated as a whole being, our minds and bodies have a better outcomes in wellness as we age.   Today, my guest is Mark Evin. He is the founder and CEO of Jintronix, a company that develops interactive exercise programs for rehabilitation and healthy aging. Mark shares with us the science of video games and the unique features they offer that can help with healthy aging. We talk about the research that is taking place correlating the benefits of video games and the mind-body connection. Jintronix is currently in hundreds of rehabilitation facilities around the world. Their newest program, LudoFit, combines strength, balance and video game software for adults that is fun and a convenient way to exercise. I’m thankful for the conversation around fall prevention, movement, coordination, and mobility. Thank you Mark for the great conversation and for encouraging us to age well.   Mark shares about:  

• What’s unique about video games that could help with healthy aging
• What is holding people back when it comes to engaging in sustainable healthy habits like an exercise routine
• The evolution of technology, motion sensing systems, and how new technology is supporting healthy aging
• The changing demographics, evolving needs, and expectations of older adults interacting with technology
• How Jintronix and LudoFit strength and balance video game supports older adults with an interactive exercise program
• The evolving knowledge around software design for older adults

    About Mark Evin & Jintronix   Mark Evin is the Founder and CEO at Jintronix, a company that develops interactive exercise programs for rehabilitation and healthy aging. Before Jintronix, Mark developed multimedia installations for museums and science centers, where his goal was to engage and inspire people using different kinds of technology. Jintronix’s flagship product is currently being used in over 300 rehabilitation facilities across the world. Their newest program, LudoFit, is a strength and balance video-game software for adults. This downloadable app for laptop and iPad combines evidence-based exercises, captivating outdoor landscapes, and enjoyable video-game experiences. It’s a fun and convenient way to exercise from home.   If you’d like to try the program at no cost and no commitment, visit: https://ludo.fit/freetrial     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.

The end-of-life does not need to be filled with the fear of the unknown. Today we are normalizing conversations around the end-of-life and end-of-life planning. The Love Always Project is a movement that is promoting constructive conversation and the value of what preplanning looks like.

Today my guest is Kim Medici Shelquist. She has spent nearly a decade on the leadership team of Hospice of Central Iowa, she’s a trusted leader and a source in end-of-life care matters. From her own personal story, she learned at the end of life people have fear, but most of all the fear of being forgotten. When we hold close and treasure the moments and memories of our loved ones who have gone before us- we can honor them. Thank you, Kim, for sharing your personal story and the importance of planning ahead to be present for those we love most.

 

Kim shares about:

• That the end of life doesn’t need to be filled with the fear of the unknown
• What is the Love Always Project
• Her personal experience with choices and planning around end-of-life
• What are the values that lead people to consider an end-of-life plan
• How do we start the conversation around end-of-life planning
• The importance of having end-of-life conversations
• The information we need to include in our planning
• How preplanning can focus our efforts on celebrating our loved one's life and what matters
• The benefits we gain when we plan ahead
• What we often overlook in our pre-planning
• How we shift our mindset around death and fear 
• The ways that The Love Always Project supports families

 

About The Love Always Project

The Love Always Project is a movement created to promote discussion about end-of-life issues, provide expert information and encourage people to preplan and pay for their funeral as the ultimate act of love for those they will leave behind. The Project is supported by Homesteaders Life Company, a national leader in providing prearranged funeral funding, whose mission is to help people design a better farewell, benefitting those they love.

The movement’s mission is based on the understanding that while loss is a natural part of life, it is often a topic we would rather just not think about. In fact, while many people don’t know they can plan their funeral in advance, most of those who do know simply choose not to act on the opportunity.

 

To learn more, visit The Love Always Project

 

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.

Does our role as a caregiver or a care partner end when our loved one moves into a senior living community? How can senior living communities support and educate families during this time?

 

My guest today is James Lee. He is the CEO and Co-Founder of Bella Groves, an education based dementia support organization. For a long time, I have valued James' leadership and voice in the aging services space. He has a gift of bringing about thought-provoking conversations and kindly challenges us to look at how and why we make decisions in care. James has dedicated his career to helping families and communities grow closer together in collaboration.

 

We are coming together in conversation to encourage a change in mindset around how senior living communities can support families through the aging experience. Both James and I are incredibly passionate about bringing families into the conversation as we see their role as collaborators, not customers. We want to empower families to have agency over their decisions and feel empowered with education. They are a powerful advocate for their loved ones.

 

As we bear witness to the roles we've all played previously, we are stepping into a new way of care- where no one is displaced as the primary caregiver. When we show up with compassion for families and their changing roles, we see better outcomes and supported families. This framework is what it is all about. Thank you, James, for your incredible leadership and for encouraging us all to change and challenge the status quo.

 

James shares about:

 

• Bringing families and communities together through the aging experience
• Re-framing the role of the family in senior living
• Looking at families as collaborators, not customers
• How families continue their caregiving journey into senior living
• What is the Social Contract of Dementia Care
• How we can bring families, healthcare teams, and the local community together
• How dementia is different from other diagnoses
• The ways in which senior living can support and educate families
• How we can empower families to have agency
• A challenge for senior living to change the status quo
• Having compassion for families and the changing roles we experience

 

To learn more, visit Bella Groves.

 

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.

What is your unique purpose? How do we build resilience? How do we activate our joy in the midst of caregiving? Caregiving in a way is a massive loss of control and how can we gain a semblance of that control back?

 

Today my guest is Anna Hall, Founder of The Purpose Equation. The world is a better place because of this beautiful human. She is sharing her message today and it’s an honor for me to bring her message of hope to all of you. Anna Hall is focused on improving the quality of life for older adults. Along the way, she has deployed programs, services, and technologies with that mindset. Anna has served as a Chief Purpose Officer and throughout her career, she has witnessed how purpose builds reliance and improves wellness. Her mission is to help people define and activate their purpose. The Purpose Equation is an evidence-based framework that guides individuals to discover their unique purpose. This framework is the basis for programs and workshops that are designed to identify purpose, spark joy, and personal growth at any age and every moment.

 

As caregivers, we put off our purpose but you really need your purpose now and the good news is that it is inside of you. This conversation today will start us on that discovery and we’re able to put words to define purpose,  what we value in life, what can we change, and what gives us value right now. Anna and I talk about her journey into creating The Purpose Equation and how her purpose teachers impacted her life. We are all connected through having purpose. As caregivers, how do we use this mindset to build resilience and activate joy? Join us as we discover who we are and what brings us joy. We all have purpose inside, we have the ability to define it and then share it with others.

 

Thank you, Anna, for the wonderful conversation. I always learn so much from you and I'm so thankful to share your message with the world.

 

Anna shares about:

• Anna's journey to The Purpose Equation
• How we are all connected through innately being and having purpose
• As caregivers, how do we use this mindset to build resilience and support our health
• How do we define purpose
• The ways we can spot joy in our Care Partner
• Anna's purpose teachers
• How do we activate joy
• The many ways that meaning and purpose supports our health
• We explore Nicole's purpose
• How we can access The Purpose Equation and the Spark Start game

 

 

 

To learn more, visit The Purpose Equation.

 

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 bring children and families into our interactions with our loved ones and maintain those positive relationships during difficult times?

The inspiration behind Mackenzie Meet's Alzheimer's Disease Educational Program is based on the true story of the interaction between Alder's eight-year-old niece and Alder's mother who had Alzheimer’s disease. Alder realized that there was a lack of resources to help children learn, understand and interact with their loved ones living with the disease.

With over 4 million people in the U.S. in the sandwich generation caring for loved ones, this toolkit provides families with education and support as they create positive memories with their loved ones from diagnosis through disease progression.  Improving the quality of life for the family is the focus of this program that highlights Mackenzie, an 8-year-old-hero. Once she learns of  Gran's diagnosis, she goes on a journey to learn about the disease and how to develop a positive relationship with her loved one using art, music, and dance.

Alder and Brenda have worked with children and older adults in their professions and they are bringing all that knowledge with them into this program.  It was a joy to meet these kindhearted women. Thank you, Alder and Brenda, for creating a wonderful resource for children and families.

 

Alder and Brenda share about:

• Their personal story and motivation for developing the program
• Who benefits from the program
• Why it's essential for children to be involved with their loved one who has Alzheimer's disease
• How to explain Alzheimer's disease to children
• The role that children play in the lives of their loved one who has Alzheimer's disease
• When and why should a child ask a responsible adult for help
• What are some activities that children can do together in the different stages of the disease
• Tips for adults for those incorporating their children into the care of a person with Alzheimer's
• How we can access the Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer's Educational Program and use it as a resource

 

About Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer's Disease:

 

The Mackenzie’s Meets Alzheimer’s Educational Program is based on the true story of the interaction between Alder’s 8-year-old niece, and Alder’s mother who had Alzheimer’s disease.

 

In the Program, Mackenzie is an 8-year-old hero. After being told her Gran has Alzheimer's, she goes on a journey to learn about the disease, and to figure out how she can help her Gran. Mackenzie discovers how to maintain a meaningful relationship with her Gran using art, music and dance.

 

Join Mackenzie as she learns how to enJOY and interact with her Gran. This multi-media Program will help your family have quality time with your loved one who has Alzheimer's disease, or any type of dementia.

 

The Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer’s Educational Program is a digital and downloadable video-based, multicultural, multimedia educational program. The Program includes an animated Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer's Disease Story Song Video that is the perfect introduction to Alzheimer’s for children, and the following 5-video Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer’s Disease Educational Video Series: What is Alzheimer’s Disease? (6 min. 28 sec.), Mild Stage Alzheimer’s Disease (9 min. 30 sec.), Moderate Stage Alzheimer’s Disease (11min. 45 sec.), Severe Stage Alzheimer’s Disease (7 min. 15 sec.) and Coping with Alzheimer’s Disease for the Responsible Adult with Children (26 min. 39 sec.).

 

The videos describe what is happening in the brain of someone who has Alzheimer’s, the signs of each stage of the disease, and activities to do in each stage with a loved one who has the disease. We’ve also included a video for responsible adults to assist them in coping and caring for their children and their loved one. The Program videos are extremely accessible because they are concise, as demonstrated by the length of the videos provided above, and they are digital, making them available anywhere there is internet service. The Program also includes the downloadable Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer’s Quick Reference Guide that highlights information in the videos, making the information accessible whenever it is needed. Transcripts of the videos are available for the hearing impaired upon request, and there is a lyric video of the animated story song for the early reader and for the hearing impaired of any age.

 

To learn more visit: Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer's Disease

 

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.

Today I have the pleasure of diving into a few various topics with someone I respect. My guest is Michael Mann, Managing Director of Tachyon Insights. I always value his insights into what is happening in the world of caregiving. Along with his personal story, he is passionate about bringing tools and tech to older adults that are socially isolated. 

 

Michael serves healthcare providers, homecare, payers, hospitals, and digital health startups. He has his pulse on what is happening in the world of technology that supports family caregivers and older adults. We talk about the challenges that caregivers are facing right now and what the landscape of care looks like.

As a recent moderator at the HCT conference, he brings his insight into what businesses are coming together to provide leadership and address care concerns to support families. We look at the framework that is in place for socially minded businesses. We also talk about his perspective on big tech such as Amazon and Apple moving into the older adult care space and what the landscape of care looks like in the next few years.

 

Thank you, Michael, for sharing your story and educating us that we are not alone and our voice matters. Don't miss this conversation with Michael Mann.

 

Michael shares about:

• His personal caregiving story
• A look at the male perspective in the caregiving journey
• The challenges that caregivers face
• His insights from HCT (Health Care Tech Conference) into the care economy
• What businesses are coming together to provide leadership and are socially conscious
• His perspective on big tech such as Apple and Amazon in the older adult care space
• How he is hopeful as we move to support caregivers

 

Michael is the Managing Director of Tachyon Insights, a boutique healthcare consulting firm:

strategy, market insights, market discovery, new markets, technology integration, growth, & operations.

We leverage our partnerships & technology for our clients projects to offer the highest value and ROI.

Areas of interest are SDOH, ESG, & Sustainable Business Initiatives. We serve healthcare & life sciences, providers, homecare, payers, hospitals, and digital health startups.

Michael is entrepreneurial and leverages his 31K + LinkedIn followers to build community. 

He has just recently launched Planetary Health First Mars Next: a catalyst & community that accelerates discussions concerning SDoH, health equity, disparities, ESG and sustainability with a newsletter, talent collective, & soon a podcast.

Michael advises & mentors early-stage healthcare startups. He mentors at 757 Accelerate, and MedStartr Ventures.

Michael owned a care management company which supported Medicare/Medicaid dual eligibles and Humana where he oversaw initiatives that reduced hospital readmission by 32% over a 6 month period, and 44% for chronic care members. He also served as Chief Commercial Officer at Sagely, a wellness platform that empowers older adults and connects their families, 46,000 residents, 15,000 families, and 500 communities.

 

Michael holds a Masters in Healthcare Administration from George Washington University Milken Institute of Public Health. He has a wife, daughter and 2 dogs, loves to surf, hike, and workout, and is a caregiver to his 89-year-old dad.

 

Planetary Health First Mars Next NewsLetter via Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/planet-margin-michael-mann-mha/?trackingId=2TbI4PZ8QIa69eU3VqcNsQ%3D%3D

 

Via Substack, please subscribe:

https://michaelcmann.substack.com/p/be-first-to-join-the-planetary-health?r=1d5nzi&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

 

Planetary Health First Mars Next Talent Collective:

https://planetaryhealthfirstmarsnext.pallet.com/talent/welcome?referral=true&step=welcome&pallet=

 

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.

Being drawn to the arts from a young age and having a mother that’s an art teacher brought Cailey Massey to attend art school. She had the vision to bring Artfull Enrichment to life and bring about a vision to provide creative programming to enrich the lives of older adults with high-quality sustainable art programming. Through these innovative approaches, we can shift our perspective on what aging looks like. We can become confident and have a creative aging mindset through the shared art experience. Through these shared experiences we can collaborate, connect the generations, and learn more about ourselves. When we push ourselves outside of our comfort zone that is where we can learn something new.

 

Today my guest is Cailey Massey, Founder of Artfull Enrichment. We look at art from a bigger perspective and the benefit art brings to our lives and how it supports our wellness. Thank you, Cailey, for your big heart and for sharing with us all of the gifts that art brings.

 

• Looking at art from a bigger perspective- what is creative aging?
• How art impacts our brain health and supports our wellness
• Leaning into the experience vs. product creation
• Why it's important for us to explore sides of ourselves that we haven't before
• How can families participate in creative aging
• What we can we learn about ourselves when we let go of perfection
• The importance of participation in art programs
• How we elevate art programs to meet the needs of older adults
• Where we can pull inspiration from
• What's happening in the world of creative aging and the movement behind it
• If we feel like we haven't been creative before- where do we start?

 

Cailey Massey is a Canadian-born visual artist. She has been developing and implementing person-centered art programs in communities for over a decade. With hands-on, industry experience, Massey has dedicated her career to elevating artistic opportunities for underserved populations.  Massey founded Artfull Enrichment to provide high-quality art programs that overcome age-related barriers and inspire participants to find their inner artist.

 

Artfull works closely with senior living communities to provide online access to art programs that promote creative expression, lifelong learning and social connectivity. All Artfull programs are accessible online and can be facilitated by recreation staff or used independently by residents.

 

For more information about Artfull Enrichment visit  artfullenrichment.com

 

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 guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

 

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

 

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

As a young couple at the age of twenty-three, Kris and his wife purchased their first assisted living. They spent the next three years living and caring for their residents all while renovating their space. This led to his mission to positively impact the lives of over 10 million older adults. Kris Chana is the Founder and CEO of ActivAge Adult Day Clubs. He is on a personal mission to give seniors hope and a sense of purpose that supports them in living their best lives along with supporting their families. Kris has spent his time immersed in the day-to-day life of caring for older adults and understands the unique challenges that families face. Kris is making his mark in the care economy space and is equipping families and older adults with much needed support.

 

This conversation is a masterclass in leading with heart and having provision for making a difference in the lives of others. Kris brings excitement into this space and fosters collaborative partnerships to bring awareness to this much needed concept and conversation. Kris is the leader to bring us into the next 20-year revolution of Adult Day Care. If you want to be encouraged in business, leadership, and being a good human, don't miss this encouraging conversation. Thank you, Kris, for your leadership!

 

Kris shares about:

• How he started ActivAge 
• How the history of healthcare has shaped how we deliver senior care
• The next 20-year revolution will be the Era of Adult Day Care
• The challenges families and older adults are facing- the perfect storm is happening right now
• The many family caregivers needing support and respite
• What happens when people are engaged in purposeful adult day programs
• The many benefits and services that ActivAge and Adult Day programs provide
• His personal mission is to give seniors hope, joy, and a sense of purpose
• The provision for adult day programs
• The opportunity for bringing much needed change in how we deliver care

 

About Kris Chana & ActivAge

Kris Chana’s personal mission is to give seniors hope and a sense of purpose that helps them live their best life!

Kris is an entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience in senior care and a graduate from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Go Gators!

He is the Founder & CEO of ActivAge Adult Day Clubs, the fastest growing franchise concept in the senior care industry.

Kris is the host of “The CAREpreneur” podcast and the show, “Senior Care Uncensored” which takes people behind the scenes of a growing senior care organization.

Through the show, Kris has documented some fun adventures that include taking seniors parasailing, flying, air boating, motorcycling, mustang convertible rides and much more.

Kris believes you are never too old to have fun and wants to inspire others in healthcare to help seniors live a more meaningful and fulfilled life.

 

For more information visit https://www.activagecare.com/

 

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'll be back soon! We will be back in the fall. Thank you for being here and being a special part of our community. Enjoy the rest of your summer.

We are excited to announce that we've launched Gigi Betty co. 

Gigi Betty co. is a lifestyle brand and boutique gift shop raising funds and awareness for caregivers and care partners. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to support family caregivers and provide respite care. 

To see our beautiful film sharing more about our gift shop visit @gigibettyco - give us a follow! 

Visit www.gigibettyco.com to join our email list and be notified when our gift shop is live.

In gratitude,

Nicole 

What does it look like to bring generations together under one roof? Today, we are having a conversation around family, care, and compassion intertwining in the most unique way. We're exploring the concept of multi-generational living – a solution that's gaining traction in a world where the traditional boundaries of home and care are constantly evolving. It's not just about sharing a space; it's about reshaping the idea of what a home can be.

 

My guest today is Danniel Fuchs, Caregiver and Founder of Multi Gen Homes. Danniel's life took a turn when he sought suitable care for his father living with Alzheimer's. Unconvinced by other care options, he decided to create Multi-Gen Homes. More than an architectural concept, it blends hope, heart, and thoughtful design with profound care, functionality, and addressing the intricate dynamics of a family.

 

In today’s conversation, we talk about how Danniel's personal journey with his father's Alzheimer's diagnosis led to an innovative approach to care and family living. From the emotional and logistical challenges of transitioning to multi-generational living to maintaining resilience during loss, adversity, and uncertainty, we’ll explore it all. This discussion isn't just about constructing homes; it's about constructing lives, managing stress, and drawing lessons from a family’s experience.

Danniel, thank you for sharing about resilience, innovation, and the enduring strength of family bonds.

Learn more at www.multi-gen.com

 

 

 

 

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

 

*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've planned who will inherit the house, and who will be the keeper of our most precious treasures but we often overlook another form of our personal property- our digital assets. Families are placed in situations where they need to navigate and collect a variety of digital property after a loved one passes.

 

This week my guests are Aproova Chintala and Sree Chintala. They are founders and the CEO and CTO of Clocr. Clocr is an all-in-one legacy planning platform. Creating this platform is very personal to these founders as they share the family story of how they found themselves in the midst of understanding the wishes of a grandparent and wanted to have a better way to manage digital property. This is a tremendous help for families and eliminates frustration and confusion. Thank you, Aproova and Sree, for sharing your family story and providing guidance for us as we plan for the future.

 

 

Aproova and Sree share about:

 

• After a personal loss- Clocr was created. The story of how it came to be
• Understanding digital assets
• What types of assets are often overlooked
• How do we pass along a digital legacy
• Choosing the "right" digital executor
• Storing and protecting our digital assets
• Understanding the world of social media and protecting our accounts
• The ways to protect and store our personal photos and videos
• How Clocr ensures the security of our assets- security is a top priority
• The ways in which Clocr supports older adults and senior care

 

About Clocr

 

Clocr provides an all-in-one legacy planning platform with three product lines: an estate planning tool for digital assets, a digital vault to store and share information, and a time-vault feature. You can set up your estate plan for digital assets in just 3 clicks. We also offer a patent-pending digital vault to consolidate all your important documents and information and share them with your guardians. Our unique digital time capsule feature allows you to pass on your memories, messages, and values to your friends and family. We recently launched Emergency Services allows the first responder to connect with the person in need's emergency contact through a quick scan of QR Code. Clocr Social Media Will helps you to decide how your social identity should live on after you pass away. Other than this we also offer features like Free Will, Funeral Planning, and Medical Directives.

 

The Backstory

 

The idea for Clocr came to Apoorva Chintala, Co-founder & CEO, a few years ago shortly after the passing of her grandfather. After he died, there was confusion surrounding his beneficiaries and how his assets were to be distributed. Apoorva's father was thrust into the role of ‘executor’ and forced to try and determine what her grandfather’s wishes had been and how to disburse his assets. All of these new responsibilities for her father, while important and urgent, seemed trivial in comparison to their loss.

That’s when it hit her – “what would I do if I was the one who had to figure all of this out?” The answer was: “I just don’t know”. At that moment, Clocr was born. The primary aim of Clocr is to ease a family’s burden at their greatest time of need, when they are facing the greatest uncertainty of life – its ending. Apoorva firmly believes that technology empowers society to creatively and effectively solve age old problems, and this is why Clocr exists, to eliminate the stress and confusion after the loss of a loved one.

 

For more information about Clocr visit www.clocr.com.

 

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 podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

 

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

 

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

How do we effectively and proactively communicate our loved ones needs and routines with their care partners and caregivers?

 

Mike Michel, the founder of the CareTrainr app, is my guest today. The CareTrainr app saves care partners time from repeating the same information to new caregivers and visiting relatives They are able to move forward as they are equipped with information and confidence as they have access to personalized walk-through videos, calendars, updated notes, and more.

 

This week we are also having a  bigger conversation about what motivated Mike to create CareTrainr, his experience with the home care industry, and working with care partners. Mike is full of life, energy, and knowledge. This was a motivating conversation and I'm so excited to see what Mike will do next. Thank you for the great conversation, Mike!

 

Mike shares about:

• Mike's story and reason for creating the CareTrainr app
• The current landscape of the homecare industry and a take on what the needs of family caregivers are
• What leads to high turnover and caregiver frustration
• How we can properly train caregivers and tools to grow confidence
• Advice for families on finding the "right" caregiver for their loved one
• What are the current challenges caregivers are facing at the moment
• How we can communicate effectively with our caregivers
• The importance of a plan of care and accountability
• How he is hopeful for the future

 

 

About Mike Michel & The CareTrainr App:

 

Mike Michel attained his B.S degree in Health Science at Florida A&M University. His previous work with geriatric patients and in-home healthcare included his education in health science and physical therapy. He noticed some inefficiencies in the organization and the quality of care families and loved ones endure. So, He decided to educate families on two things. First, Proactive care is always the best care. We don't have to wait until we need the care to set standards for how we care. Secondly, when caregivers change, care shouldn't.

 

Care Trainr is the modern solution for continuous caregiving. Built from the ground up by a dedicated team of care professionals, this app was designed to provide both families and professionals with a simple, easy-to-use, and convenient way to communicate and coordinate the highest quality care for their loved ones and patients.

 

For more information about the CareTrainr App visit www.caretrainr.com.

Find Mike on social media at @thecaregiverguy

 

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.

Benjamin Kintisch began his work as a chaplain in a residential hospice community. One of the most meaningful parts of his work was walking through the "Life Review" with each of his patients.

 

In our conversation this week, Ben recalls telling his wife that the stories he was hearing needed to be songs. His wife replied, "Get writing".  He began writing and through partnerships and collaborations the Life Review: The Hospice Musical was born.

 

Through music, song, our shared mortality, humor, and commonalities - we have a space to learn and review in our own way. Thank you, Ben, for the fun and thought-provoking conversation.

 

Benjamin Kintisch is a Cantor, a chaplain, and a music teacher, in addition to his involvement with theater and songwriting. “Life Review” is the first musical he created.

 

About Life Review: The Hospice Musical

"It's a Chorus Line meets Fiddler on the Roof."

 

Life Review: The Hospice Musical is a new musical celebrating life, love and loss through three seasons at a residential hospice. The story follows our young Rabbi David, the new chaplain at the facility. He arrives in autumn, eager and naive, caring but lonely. As he ministers to the patients, Rabbi David learns from his patients even as he cares for them. and their loved ones.

 

In Life Review: The Hospice Musical, each patient sings their story. We hear from a proud mother remembering snow, a brave but scared young man wondering what's to come, an older man looking for one last friend, and a man of God singing praises.

 

To learn more and book a virtual performance visit www.lifereviewmusical.com.

 

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.

This week my guest is Bill Cohen, a Certified Senior Advisor, and the owner of Cohen Caregiving Support Consultants. With every two out of three caregivers being female, the conversation around caregiving tends to be from the perspective of women. Bill shares with us his journey as a son, offers advice on managing care, finding support, and how seeking support can be different for men.

 

Bill is compassionate as he provides support for dementia caregivers. He's walked this road before and takes a holistic approach in sharing his perspective and support as he advises unpaid family caregivers. Thank you, Bill, for sharing your perspective, advice, and story with us today.

 

Bill shares about:

• Bill's story as a son
• What led to his concerns about his mom's symptoms
• Good tips for supporting our loved ones with dementia
• Overcoming the stigmas around dementia and improving awareness
• How caregivers can find time for self-care and reduce stress
• How we work through grief and the long goodbyes
• Why it's important for us to find support during our caregiving journey
• His perspective as a male caregiver and how seeking support can be different
• Bill shares about his volunteer work including support groups, fundraising, and advocacy

 

Cohen Caregiving Support Consultants  

https://cohencaregivingsupport.com/

 

Bill’s Online Support Community for Caregivers:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/billcohensupportgroup/

 

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 podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

 

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

 

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Having been a non-professional caregiver for family and loved ones for more than thirty-five years, Sue Ryan created The Caregiver's Journey to walk caregivers through the various phases of their caregiving journey. How do we successfully manage all of the changes and transitions that happen when we step into the role of caregiver?

 

Today I have with me, Sue Ryan, best-selling author of the book  Our Journey of Love, 5 Steps to Navigate Your Caregiving Journey. For the past 35 years, she has been supporting entrepreneurs and business leaders in successfully navigating transition. Sue's personal care for her loved ones brought her into the trenches of transition. When her caregiving journey began she frequently felt overwhelmed, frustrated, and faced with the unknown of not knowing what to do. Sue graciously shares with us all that she has learned and teaches family caregivers how to find balance and successfully navigate the many roles we carry as caregivers.  This can be an empowering time for us when we realize we can re-create who we are and be encouraged in our transitions. When we understand ourselves- we can care well for others. 

 

Whether you'd like to have a conversation, read her international best-selling book Our Journey of Love, 5 Steps to Navigate Your Caregiving Journey, have her speak or conduct workshops for your organization, or take one of the offerings of her The Caregiver's Journey program, reach out to Sue HERE.

 

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 distinguish between a certain amount of normal stress and caregiver burnout?

"I just can’t do this anymore" or "This is too much for me to handle"- Have you spoken these words before?

 

This week we are talking about caregiver burnout. My guest is Debbie Compton, she became a full-time caregiver for three parents with three different forms of dementia. After many years of leading teams nationwide, she has used her problem-solving skills to develop new ways to make life more manageable for caregivers. This conversation is full of humor, transparency, and compassion as we talk all about caregiver burnout, how to recognize these emotions, and what we can do to take action and move towards healing. Debbie shares how we can find support and community. Debbie is the founder of The Purple Vine. She is a caregiver, has authored several books, and is an active community educator for the Alzheimer’s Association. I'm so happy she is with us today and sharing her story of hope. 

 

Visit www.thePurpleVine.com/blog for helpful articles for caregivers as well as some free 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 guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

 

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

 

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

How do we empower older adults to live happier, healthier, and more independent lives at home?

 

My guest this week is Dor Skuler, he is the CEO and Co-Founder of Intuition Robotics. ElliQ is a proactive care companion for older adults. ElliQ is a voice-operated device that is empathetic, offers companionship, wellness support, and much more that we'll talk about today. 

 

This is a bigger conversation about addressing loneliness, social isolation, and social determinants of health that many older adults experience. After many years of research, with and for older adults, we have a look at how ElliQ offers encouragement and support while strengthening the relationship with our loved ones. ElliQ allows families to focus on those uniquely human connections and interactions while providing proactive care. Thank you, Dor, for your passion in creating a product with high social impact.

 

In fighting the loneliness epidemic, ElliQ is partnering with the state of New York and New York State Office for the Aging to equip older adults with robot companions. Read more about this exciting partnership HERE.

 

ElliQ and Intuition Robotics were featured guests on The Today Show, awarded AARP Innovation Champion Award, Fast Company Brands That Matter 2021, and much more.

 

We talk about:

• The story of ElliQ
• The landscape of loneliness and isolation, the extensive research to tackle the challenges of aging
• How ElliQ supports social connections with our loved ones & brings people together 
• The unique features that make ElliQ feel like a real companion and it's ease of use
• ElliQ's empathetic nature and proactive focus
• Who ElliQ is the perfect fit for
• The importance of privacy and consent
• What exciting partnerships are taking place with ElliQ
• The investment opportunities and challenges for AgeTech 
• ElliQ users' success story

 

 

Intuition Robotics is on a mission to empower older adults to live happier, healthier and more independent lives at home. The company’s award winning product, ElliQ®, is a proactive care companion for older adults. ElliQ, which has spent more than 35,000 days in the homes of older adults, helps keep users healthy, engaged, and informed, while alleviating the effects of loneliness and social isolation. The company was founded in 2016 and is based in Tel Aviv with offices in San Francisco and Athens. Intuition Robotics’ investors include: Toyota Ventures, Samsung NEXT, iRobot, and Venture Capital firms from California, Israel, Japan, and China.

 

To learn more, please visit ElliQ.com.

Connect with ElliQ & Intuition Robotics on social media at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

 

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 podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

 

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

 

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

What does life look like during and after caregiving for a loved one? What does life look like after retirement? What is my purpose? One thing is certain- there is always change in our lives.

 

This can bring up many big questions- What is my purpose? How has this changed for me throughout the years? What questions can I ask myself to find my purpose? What does my support system look like? How do I overcome the various losses that life brings?

 

My guest this week is Vicki Thomas. Vicki is the co-founder of My Future Purpose, they are a multi-faceted membership organization committed to growing the purpose movement. They help individuals and professional organizations harness the power of purpose. Vicki has always pursued her passion and purpose in life and she is now helping others to develop their own. It is my pleasure to introduce to you, Vicki Thomas.

 

Visit myfuturepurpose.com for more information and to connect with Vicki.

 

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 guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

 

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

 

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

How will we know what's possible as we age if we do not have a relationship with older adults? When we truly listen- we become more compassionate and realize the rich blessings of those relationships. 

My guest this week is Isabel Tom, author of The Value of Wrinkles: A Young Perspective on How Loving the Old will Change Your Life. Isabel has been a featured guest sharing her story of what it is like growing up in a multi-generational home while caring for her grandparents who lived to the age of 98 and 102. Professionally, Isabel has worked in the senior living and hospice care field for many years. 

Contentment, gratitude, and reflection. All words that come to mind when thinking of this conversation and the book. I enjoyed my time with Isabel so much. Thank you, Isabel, for sharing your story, heart, and encouragement with us! 

 

To learn more about Isabel and her work find her at isabeltom.com.  

To sign up for the Prepare Care Course HERE. 

Listen to The Value of Wrinkles Podcast HERE. 

Connect with Isabel Tom at:
Facebook 
Instagram 
YouTube  

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 podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com 

Instagram: @willgather 
Facebook: WillGather 

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

What do we do after we experience the loss of a loved one? There is immense grief and then there are the logistical tasks that need to be walked through. Where do we begin? How do we know what to do?  

My guest this week is Ron Gura, he is the CEO and Co-Founder of Empathy. Empathy supports families through loss and provides both emotional and logistical support when they need it most. The Empathy app streamlines all of the end-of-life bureaucracy.  Families are also supported by a dedicated care team and are given access to grief support 24/7.

 

Empathy was awarded Google Play's 2021 "Best App for Good", CB Insights' "Top Digital Health Companies of 2021" and one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies of 2022. 

 

Ron shares about:

• The importance of bringing this conversation to light and having an open discussion about loss and bereavement
• Breaking the barrier and providing support to families that is accessible
• What families experience after the loss of a loved one
• Navigating the impact of bereavement after loss
• The high cost of loss- the financial, emotional and logistical toll
• How insurance companies are elevating their benefits to support bereaved families
• The many ways Empathy supports families during loss with emotional and practical tools
• How Ron is hopeful to change the narrative around loss and bereavement and bring it to light

 

To access the Cost of Dying report mentioned in the podcast visit HERE.

Visit Empathy.com & Find Empathy at:

https://twitter.com/empathy

https://www.instagram.com/empathy_com/

https://www.facebook.com/empathyforfamilies/

 

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.

On Saturday, April 6, 2024, caregivers gathered at ActivAge Sarasota and The Tribute at the Glen in Virgina for a supportive event, the Caregiving Forum. The forum offered a valuable opportunity for caregivers to connect, learn, and be encouraged.

We podcasted LIVE from this event and my guests share about the work they are doing to uplift caregivers. This is a great episode highlighting all of the important initiatives that are taking place- you don't want to miss it! See all of my guests listed below.

The highlight of the event was the keynote address by Dr. Rosemary Laird, who captivated the audience with her insights on self-care and the importance of prioritizing one's well-being, aptly titled "The Caregivers Toolkit: Self-Care and Taking Your Oxygen First." Dr. Laird's engaging presentation provided practical strategies and encouragement for caregivers, emphasizing that taking care of oneself is crucial to effectively caring for others.

In addition to the keynote, attendees enjoyed a free breakfast, which provided a warm and welcoming start to the morning. The event also featured various giveaways and access to a wealth of community resources, making it an invaluable experience for all who attended.

The Caregiving Forum was a wonderful opportunity for caregivers to come together, share experiences, and gain knowledge to support their caregiving journeys.

Special thanks to the event sponsors and the dedicated team at ActivAge Sarasota for organizing this impactful event. This podcast was made possible by these wonderful sponsors.

Be sure to stay tuned for future events and resources by visiting ActivAge.

This episode was made possible by: 

Alzheimer's Association

willGather

Seni

ActivAge

Caregiving Worldwide

Tribute Senior Living

Comfort Keepers

The Medical Team

CarePatrol

Brookdale

Intercoastal Research Clinic

81 Oaks

TrustCo Bank

Right Fit Reality

 

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.

 

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

 

This week my guest is Traci Lamb, CEO of Smart Caregiving. Traci has spent the last 20 years in the healthcare industry with over 14 of those years working in hospice. She is the primary caregiver for both of her parents who are in their 80s - this led our conversation today as well as her personal experience working in hospice care.

 

Families have many questions- what is hospice care? How is it different than palliative care? What is comfort care? Why would we choose hospice? What are the benefits? How do we have these important conversations? We look at the value of grief support and how everyone experiences grief differently.

 

For more info about Smart Caregiving visit https://smart-caregiving.com/

 

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 podcast, guest & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

 

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

 

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

What holds us back from choosing the life that we want? Over the last few years my guest, Anna Marie Frank, has worked with caregivers and older adults about the power of re-wiring our brains and shifting our mindset to live a happy and whole life. What we think and how we speak greatly impacts our health.

 

Anna Marie Frank, Doctor of Traditional Naturopathy, is my guest this week. She has spent 20 years in the wellness industry. Her focus on how we can be proactive vs. reactive in our health guided our conversation.  Understanding the caregiver's needs and mental health state gives her a framework for helping others find support and happiness. It was a pleasure to talk with Anna Marie- this is a fun conversation that will encourage anyone who listens! Thank you, Anna Marie!

We talk all about Traditional Naturopathy, how we as caregivers, care partners, and older adults can re-wire our brain and mindset- mindset is everything, how we can take control and live the life we want, looking at the big picture and how we can make change, how we can find cost-effective options in supporting our health, and how there is hope in choosing the life that we want.

 

Anna Marie has spent over 20 years in the wellness industry and is a doctor of Traditional Naturopathy, certified brain health practitioner, and worksite wellness specialist. She is also the founder of Happy Whole You, formulator of three brain nutraceuticals, published author, life guide coach, mother of two, and holistic health advocate!

Anna Marie has found a way to combine high tech therapies with old school holistic health practices that improve one's brain function while simultaneously decreasing one's body inflammation. She started her company and practice after healing her own brain and body naturally.

You can work with Anna Marie virtually or in person at her wellness location. Connect with Anna Marie @HappyWholeYou on social media and visit her website at www.HappyWholeYou.com

 

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 podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

 

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

 

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Each of us comes with a life story, preferences, hobbies, interests, and unique family dynamics. All of our individual qualities come together to make us who we are. How do we share that story effectively when other people are caring for us?  CareStory's platform "is designed to help families capture the essence of their loved ones, telling their stories and advocating for the care that they deserve."

 

Nicole Shute is my guest this week. She leads the Client Success at CareStory. CareStory is a nonmedical digital solution that provides holistic person-centered care for caregivers and families- all through the use of your smart device.  Today, Nicole and I talk all about why your loved ones' personal story matters, why empathy matters and how we bring that into our care with others. Thank you, Nicole, for sharing your story with us!

 

CareStory is dedicated to putting empathy back into long-term care. By providing caregivers with the right tools from the start, CareStory ensures that care staff are as familiar with loved ones as their families are; ensuring continuity of care. CareStory’s platform is designed to help families capture the essence of their loved ones, telling their stories and advocating for the care that they deserve.

For more information about CareStory visit www.carestory.ca.

 

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 our loved ones with brain changes in a positive and respectful way? Teepa's  mission is "to change the culture of dementia care to be more inclusive, more knowledgeable, and more skillful in order to truly support all brains and people in our community." Teepa and her team are doing just that.

 

Teepa Snow is my guest this week. She is one of the world's leaders in dementia education and advocacy. Teepa founded Positive Approach to Care and its reach includes 30 countries worldwide. Teepa's ability to connect with others, provide practical tools for families and support for others has been life-giving to many including myself. There is a wealth of knowledge that you need to explore at teepasnow.com to continue learning more about her incredible work.

 

We talk all about care partnership, common misconceptions, the call to destigmatize dementia, common questions caregivers have, and how Teepa fills her cup as she gives to so many. 

 

About Teepa Snow & Positive Approach to Care

Teepa Snow is one of the world’s leading advocates and educators for anyone living with dementia or other forms of brain change.

 

Teepa is an Occupational Therapist with over forty years of rich and varied clinical and academic experience. Her philosophy is reflective of her education, work experience, medical research, and first-hand caregiving experiences. Her advocacy efforts led her to the development of the GEMS® State Model for understanding the progression of dementia and changes in abilities. She also created the Positive  Approach to Care® training strategies, which are effective techniques for anyone seeking to optimize care and support for those living with brain change. As the Education Director of Eastern  North Carolina’s Alzheimer’s Association, she also helped to create the nation’s award-winning DVD  entitled Accepting the Challenge: Providing the Best Care for People with Dementia. Her user friendly approaches provide guidance and leadership to national efforts to promote best practices in care.

 

Teepa’s company, Positive Approach to Care (PAC), was founded in 2006 and is now collaborating to improve dementia care in over thirty countries worldwide. PAC provides online and in-person services, training, and products to professionals, family members, the lay public, and people living with brain change.

 

Please visit www.teepasnow.com for educational video clips, DVDs, books,  information on individual certifications, online support groups, virtual and onsite trainings, or to subscribe to a free monthly newsletter.

 

Teepa presents with extraordinary expertise and humor to audiences large and small throughout the world. Please join in her mission to improve the culture of dementia care, one mind at a time.

 

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.

Families are often in an overwhelming and unsustainable financial situation when providing care for their loved ones. There are so many families struggling to pay for care. How do we address the need to provide adequate and affordable solutions for families and older adults?

 

Kimberly Whiter, CEO of Elder Care Solutions is my guest today. She is on a mission to "help families realize a more financially positive aging and caring experience".  Kim and her team provide a safe place for families to express their fears, concerns, and questions about the cost of care. Offering a listening ear and solutions provided by an interdisciplinary team leads many families to find support and tangible resources. 

 

Kimberly shares about:

• The state of caregiving around the world
• The reason behind the rapid growth of caregivers
• What leads to large out-of-pocket expenses for caregivers
• Why care is expensive
• What financial options do families have to support the cost of care
• What are the barriers to accessing financial information and resources
• Understanding what important documents are needed to support our loved ones' care
• How Elder Care Solutions supports families and older adults
• How families can begin to feel empowered

 

 

Elder Care Solutions helps families face the challenges of long-term care. We empower families by providing a bird's-eye view of all your options for facing your unique long-term care situation.

 

For more information visit www.eldercaresolutionsinc.com.

 

 

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

Do you have a parent or a loved one nearing the most fragile years of life?  We know that eventually our parents will be entering this final stage and we are often not prepared for the challenges that it brings.

 

Aging expert Amy Cameron O’Rourke, author of The Fragile Years and founder O’Rourke & Associates is a dedicated care manager with 40 years of experience. She has a passion for helping people and their loved ones find peace and joy as they age. The book The Fragile Years is written for the millions of unpaid caregivers and adult children of aging parents entering those final years of life.

 

Amy’s work has been celebrated by NPR, TEDx,  U.S . News & World Report, Forbes, and many others.  While these years can be challenging they also provide as Amy would say "A beautiful opportunity for connection, meaning, and joy". 

"One day, we will all reach the final stages of our lives — our most fragile years, and we will want to know that someone is looking out for us."

 

Amy shares about:

• What prompted Amy to write the book
• Her passion and care throughout the years
• Common mistakes we make as caregivers
• What are the “fragile years”?
• Exercising professional courage
• Who makes a good “quarterback”?
• What does over-treatment rob us of?
• How does the transactional approach of healthcare impact us and our elders?
• How families can effectively work together and manage care for their loved one
• What three key areas to focus on in making preparations for our parents
• Working through complicated relationships
• What questions to ask when receiving care and making a move
• Options for care and payment

 

Visit www.agingexpert.com for more information.

 

Purchase The Fragile Years: Proven Strategies for the Care of Aging Loved Ones HERE. 

 

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.

With our growing longevity economy and older adult demographic, we have seen a massive rise in agetech. How do we make sure that older adults can live a full life in a digital world and include them in each aspect of creation and use?  We are in a unique time to be able to solve problems, create solutions and address the universal challenges of aging.

 

Keren shares about:

• How she came to start The Gerontechnologist and write The AgeTech Revolution
• Why we are in a pivotal time in our world and the changing aging landscape- a worldwide look
• The challenges of aging, lack of caregiver support, and how agetech addresses those concerns
• What are the barriers to agetech adoption
• What to consider when designing agetech
• The attributes of agetech companies that validate the problems and solutions
• What successful agetech companies do well
• Overcoming fear of change and embracing agetech
• The future of agetech

 

Keren Etkin is the best-selling author of The AgeTech Revolution - a book about the intersection of technology and aging, founder of TheGerontechnologist.com, a media platform that covers the global agetech ecosystem and offers online courses through the AgeTech Academy, and the founder/director of AgeLabIL at Shenkar college in Israel, an interdisciplinary R&D center focusing on agetech. Named one of the most influential people in aging, Etkin is a sought-after public speaker and advisor for agetech startups, investors in the longevity economy, care providers and organizations who work on innovation in aging.

 

In The AgeTech Revolution, Keren Etkin takes you on a journey to explore what the intersection of tech and aging looks like today. 

 

Visit www.thegerontechnologist.com for more information.

 

Purchase The AgeTech Revolution HERE.

 

Social media for Keren Etkin

Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Spotify

 

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.

The number of older adults that are experiencing ageism is growing and most often in the workplace. The film Duty Free is facilitating important conversations, addressing care concerns, and driving movement to end ageism and financial insecurity.

 

Duty Free explores claiming who we are, ageism, the complexities of work, the power of having an advocate, and social impact. The film also looks at the decisions that we have to make as women. It was emotional for me to watch as I saw and connected to the struggle of wanting to do right by our family and work. 

 

This is a beautiful heartfelt story. We invest so much time and energy in our jobs and careers only to find out that the same investment is not often valued in return as we age.  As Rebecca says, "Do not let your work define you". This film continues the call to empower older workers, support caregivers and fight against ageism- We've got a lot of work to do, but this is a good start. Please take the time to watch and enjoy the film, Duty Free. I loved every minute of it. Thank you, Rebecca, for the visit- you are a bright light and I loved learning from you!

 

Rebecca shares about:

• The powerful themes that are present in the film. Claiming who we are, ageism, power of relationships, and social impact
• The clues that work was treating Rebecca differently and understanding ageism
• The importance of meeting people and getting to know them to dispel those preconceived thoughts about older workers
• How people all over the world have reached out and shared their similar stories, how Duty Free gave them hope and a voice
• How we all need an advocate- for Rebecca it was her son, Sian-Pierre
• Her thoughts on the bucket list adventure and stories from her adventures
• The movement happening in the government to support caregivers and older adults
• What the future holds for Rebecca and the Duty Free film

 

About the film, Duty Free:  "Ageism and Financial Insecurity in America are pervasive. Older folks are invisible in their communities, workplaces, and, sometimes, within their own families. An estimated 25 million won’t have enough money to get through retirement age.

Duty Free examines ageism, the care crisis, and economic insecurity in America. Who will care for and support our moms and dads? Our grandmothers and our grandfathers? Who will support us as we age? Watch our film, raise these questions in your own community, and together let’s point to solutions that work for all generations."

Watch the film HERE!

 

For more information about the Duty Free film visit https://www.dutyfreefilm.com/

 

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 guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

 

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: Willgather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

While I've been gifted the opportunity to bring out the best in my guests and their message- this person, right here, brings out the best in me.

My best friend of 28 years, Katie McDonald, interviews me today.

The message of listening when ideas find us and taking steps forward each day towards our dreams weaves its way through our conversation. If anything, Katie has taught me to show up with curiosity, find the joy, celebrate the magic, and always lead with kindness.

 

Nicole shares about:

• What led her to start the podcast
• Her mission in each episode
• How she finds and connects to her guests
• The podcast process
• Overcoming fear to pursue your dreams
• How we can be open to receiving goodness and amplifying our message to do good
• What's next for Nicole

 

Nicole Will is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of our aging community by equipping older adults, their family members, and eldercare professionals with valuable information and resources. Nicole is the creator, host, and producer of the willGather Podcast: Navigating the World with Your Aging Loved One.

 

Nicole has over 20 years of experience in the field of aging and eldercare services. Growing up, Nicole's grandma came to live with her family and became one of her closest friends. Inspired by this special relationship and passion, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services: Social Gerontology. Nicole is actively certified as an Activity Director with NCCAP. She spent many years working as a Director at a well-respected and large senior living community overseeing the Therapeutic Recreation, Volunteer, and Spiritual Care departments while successfully leading her sizeable team to improved resident engagement success. She served on the MAPA board and as an adjuvant faculty member at the University of St. Catherine. She continues her hands-on approach as a private older adult care companion with a deep understanding of family caregiver needs. Nicole is currently the founder of willGather, LLC.

 

Katie McDonald is a successful business owner of Alchemy Designs that includes being a hairstylist, life coach, medium, and master-level reiki. Her gifts bring healing, joy and awakening to anyone she encounters. She resides in Denver and is the best mom to two amazing kids.

 

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 podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people across the world. While there is no cure at the moment there are ways we can improve cognition and reinforce routine habits.

 

Matt Golden is the CEO and Co-Founder of MapHabit. Having experienced the personal loss of loved ones from Alzheimer's Disease, he is passionate about creating tools to support caregivers and improve the quality of life for our older adults.

 

MapHabit is an interactive care management, dementia training, and cognitive engagement platform that promotes independence and enhances the quality of life for individuals that need additional cognitive support and their support partners. This award-winning technology, using evidence-based research is driving change to reduce caregiver stress, support care teams, and reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs.

 

Matt Golden shares about:

• How we preserve the independence and dignity of our loved ones
• The extensive research and science to support the value of visual cues and maintaining habits
• How the National Institue of Aging (NIH) funding helped build credibility & enable MapHabit to rapidly grow
• How we can focus on what our loved ones still can do- what is maintained throughout the disease process
• The personalized cognitive support offered by MapHabit
• How visual cues support our loved one's independence
• The dementia education and engagement platform offered
• Why healthcare providers and caregivers need to be supported
• MapHabit's extensive team and educators

 

Learn more about MapHabit at www.maphabit.com

Instagram @maphabitatl and Facebook @MapHabit

 

Matt is a seasoned business leader and passionate advocate for assistive technologies to improve quality of life. Matt’s uncle and grandmother both passed away from Alzheimer’s Disease. His extensive custom application development, project management skills and change management expertise enable him to effectively implement change in industries that require modernization. MapHabit combines both his personal motivations and professional drive to build solutions to transform the lives of others with few options.

 

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 guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

 

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

 

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Have you stopped to think about what the later years of your life will look like? Today, we're diving into a conversation that touches each of us, directly or indirectly. Aging is a journey we all go on, but how often do we pause to really understand what it entails, not just for ourselves but also for those we love? This conversation aims to peel back the layers of aging, bringing not just insights but practical advice on navigating these years.

Joining us is Dr. Rosanne Leipzig, an internationally recognized geriatrician with over 40 years of experience in the field. Dr. Leipzig's journey in geriatrics is not just professional but deeply personal, inspired by her grandmother who showed her that no matter your age, life can be rich and full.

She holds the prestigious title of Gerald and May Ellen Ritter Professor and Vice Chair, Emerita, of the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. During her career as a doctor, she has received numerous awards. She has been repeatedly named as one of the Best Doctors in America (Woodward/White, Inc.), America’s Top Physicians (Consumers Research Council of America), a New York Times SuperDoc, and one of New York Magazine’s Top Doctors for Geriatric Medicine. She has appeared on The Today Show, CBS Evening News, CBS Sunday Morning, CNN, and AARP Webinars, and has been published in TIME magazine, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Bottom Line Health, AARP The Magazine, Consumer Reports, and American Medical News, among others. Dr. Leipzig brings a treasure trove of knowledge, shaped by a career dedicated to improving how we approach aging.

Today, we'll explore her latest book, "Honest Aging: An Insider’s Guide to the Second Half of Life," published by The Johns Hopkins University Press. The book is a candid look at what aging really involves—physically, psychologically, functionally, and emotionally—and how to adapt to these changes. Through a mix of scientific insights, patient stories, and Dr. Leipzig’s own experiences, the book challenges common myths and provides invaluable tools for anyone navigating or caring for someone in their later years.

As Martha Stewart says about the book, "It is essential reading for anyone who is growing older or whose loved ones are growing older ― in other words, for all of us!"

Thank you, Dr. Rosanne, for encouraging us to approach aging with more awareness and preparedness. I loved my visit with you!

Learn more at www.rosannemd.com

 

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

*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!

Dr. Edward Park’s father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body dementia, starting when he was only in his 40s. It was devastating for the family and ultimately placed their family in a caregiver role.  Dr. Park's family history of neurodegenerative disease ultimately led him towards looking at brain health and the powerful role that nutrition plays in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative conditions.

 

Dr. Edward Park is the founder of NeuroReserve, a preventive health and nutrition company focused on healthy brain aging. I enjoyed this conversation immensely. I learned so much from Dr. Park- he has the ability to take complex information and makes it easy for us to digest. If you have any interest in nutrition, brain health, and preventing neurodegenerative decline - this is a fascinating conversation you do not want to miss. Thank you, Dr. Park, it was a pleasure to talk with you!

 

Dr. Edward Park shares about:

• The creation of NeuroReserve and the important role his father played in looking at brain health
• How can caregivers prevent in themselves the decline they are seeing in their loved ones' health and brain health?
• The ways we can take control of our own brain health
• What do we need as a foundation for brain health
• The science behind brain protective diets and the evidence of neuroprotective foods
• If we or our loved one is already experiencing cognition challenges or memory loss- is it too late to supplement with nutrition? When is the best time to add this into our lives?
• What are those nutrient gaps 
• The extensive team at NeuroReserve and their product RELEVATE

*NeuroReserve is graciously providing our listeners a discount code WILLGATHER for 15% off of the product RELEVATE when you order through NeuroReserve.com. 

 

Edward Park is the founder of NeuroReserve, a preventive health and nutrition company focused on healthy brain aging. 

Ed’s family history of neurodegenerative disease (his father) ultimately led him toward brain health, where he realized the powerful role nutrition and dietary patterns can play in reducing risk of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative conditions.  This inspired him to develop the next generation of nutritional products to protect long-term brain health and cognition:  expert-designed by leading neurology and nutrition researchers, data analytics-driven, and based on the best dietary evidence – philosophies that led to the founding of NeuroReserve.

Ed holds a Ph.D. in chemical and biomolecular engineering. He also holds a M.S. and M.B.A. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Learn more about NeuroReserve at  neuroreserve.com

Instagram @neuroreserve and Facebook @neuroreserve

 

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.

Visit willgatherpodcast.com for more info on our guest, podcast & sponsorship.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

How do we become prepared as a caregiver and not wait until everything is falling down around us? Judy Burkle is the perfect person to talk with us today about how we juggle all of the caregiving responsibilities and manage our emotions. Judy is a master-level social worker and an aging parent coach with extensive experience working with older adults and one on one therapy sessions.  Every caregiver's situation and story is unique.

 

We talk about how being informed can help you feel like you’ve got a sense of control over what feels unpredictable. We’re often living in a state of the unknown or not quite sure what that journey looks like for a loved one. We want to make sure that we’re doing the right decisions and asking the right questions. Judy provides a great framework to easily look at your situation and know where to begin in providing great care for your loved one.

 

Judy became passionate about "working with adults and aging parents after spending a career seeing how difficult it is for adult children to manage their care as their parent's health declines."  Judy wants to impart to adult children the skills to feel confident as they care for their aging parents.

 

 

Judy Burkle is a clinically trained social worker, Therapist and  Certified Clini-Coach® with over 25 years of experience in working with adults with aging parents.  She has consolidated all of her years of experience and knowledge to help as many people as possible by developing The PACT Academy.  The PACT Academy is a membership program that includes over 30 modules (and growing), weekly group coaching, worksheets, checklists, scripts, and so much more to help adults with aging parents feel more peace, acceptance, confidence, and have more time in their life.  The PACT Academy launches on 3/02/2022.

For more information and to contact Judy, please visit www.coachjudyburkle.com

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.

Why are our elders targeted by solicitors and scammers? What can we do to help ensure that our loved ones won’t fall victim to these types of scams? Our older adult population is growing and the financial impact of scams can be devastating, racking up over $3 billion in losses annually.

 

Although there are many different types of scams, there are some basic principles that you can educate your seniors on to help them from becoming a victim. Of course, we can’t cover every scam that is out there but we can provide some general tips and a framework for recognizing scams.

Join us for this important conversation around safety, scams, and solicitations. We are so happy to have Renee Skoglund, Gerontologist, back with us today.

 

Renee Skoglund shares about:

• How many older adults are affected by scams each year? What is the economic impact of these solicitations?
• What are the most common scams that we should pay attention to right now
•  Some good tips and ways we can educate ourselves to recognize when a possible scam or solicitation is taking place
• How do we approach these conversations with our loved ones?
• For those working in a senior living community- what advice would you pass along in ways to best educate or advocate for our residents?
• What steps we can take to get back on track if we fall victim to a scam

 

Renee Skoglund has worked in the Gerontology field for over 30 years, focusing on creating, implementing, updating, managing, and improving programs for people over 50.  Programs included the creation of a hospital-based adult day program, a hospital-based membership program, starting her own company to maximize activity, engagement, and happiness, which result in a better quality of life. Several of the programs received national awards.

 

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 guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

 

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

How do we make meaningful connections while we are caregiving? Is there a right way to care for our loved ones that have dementia? How do I deal with all of the emotions that we feel as caregivers- the stress, the guilt?

Today, we learn how families and caregivers can have peace of mind and understand that there is a better way to communicate and improve the quality of our relationships with our loved ones. It is my pleasure to interview Laura Wayman. She is an author, a caregiver, a coach, a family counselor and also known as the "The Dementia Whisperer". She is an internationally recognized dementia care expert and her mission is to change the world in a way that memory care services are provided and those that suffer from memory care impairments. Her innovative approach to caregiving has given her valuable insights on how caregivers can enhance and even enjoy their relationships with their loved ones.

Laura is the author of A Loving Approach to Dementia Care, making meaningful connections while caregiving. We talk about her book today and the lessons learned. She is a sought-after speaker with extensive experience and she is sharing her knowledge with others about becoming dementia aware.

 

Laura Wayman shares about:

• The profound stress that caregivers carry
• Why we shouldn't be that "self-less" caregiver
• How our loved ones with dementia are most in tune with our emotions over our words and how our stress as a caregiver can impact our interactions
• Is there a "right" way to care for our loved ones?
• What is the dementia "elephant"?
• That successful communication can come from using the Affirmative response Method
• We are encouraged to move forward and there's hope in successful communication

 

For more information visit https://laurawayman.com/  & to purchase Laura's book A Loving Approach to Dementia Care visit HERE!

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 podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

It has been said that grief is as individual as a fingerprint. It's complex and it's personal. I have found that to be true in my life and in conversation with other caregivers.

How do we process our grief? How do we start to find some semblance of healing in the midst of caring for a loved one and anticipating the loss?

Dr. Eboni Green is my guest today and she has firsthand experience in how deep loss can expose our need for a safe place to talk about our grief and to process our pain.

I admire Dr. Eboni Green's work, I admire her heart and her gentleness. I'm so thankful she shares her personal story, professional journey, and insight into grief with us.

Dr. Green is a registered nurse and a family caregiver. She holds a Ph.D. in human services specializing in healthcare administration. She is the CEO and Co-Founder of Caregiver Support Services, a nonprofit organization that provides resources solutions and support for caregivers.

 

Dr. Eboni Green shares about:

• What challenges are caregivers facing right now
• What type of grief is most present when we are caring for our loved ones
• How do we hold space for others when they are sharing their grief
• How do we make protective plans when we are grieving 
• What emotions should we pay attention to that are related to grief
• Why is it important for us to work through our grief
• How do we channel our emotions and grief into reflection
• Why it's important to document this process
• How do we know we are on the journey to healing
• As we also work through loss and heartache- what resources are available

 

 

For more information visit Caregiver Support Services.

 

Dr. Eboni Green has extensive experience focusing on caregivers' health and wellness, with an emphasis on caregiver stress, burnout, and related family conflicts. Green has contributed to publications and given presentations that focus on training, assessing, and supporting caregivers. Green is a published author and has written three books focusing on family caregiving: At the Heart of the Matter, Caregiving in the New Millennium, and Reflections from the Soul.

Dr. Eboni Green is the CEO and Co-Founder of Caregiver Support Services, a non-profit organization that is  "a company that focuses on family and frontline caregivers. Our mission is to help people become great caregivers for the people and patients around them. It takes a team of people to help others and find solutions for the betterment of the community. We know that health can sometimes be stressful, but with the right support system and focused knowledge, offering care to those in need can be a rewarding experience."

 

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 guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

In 2003, Dr. Heather McKay had just begun working in occupational therapy when her beloved grandmother was diagnosed with vascular dementia. The family’s challenge merged Heather’s work and personal life—inspiring her career and fueling a larger mission to improve life for people living with dementia and their myriad caregivers. Over a decade of caregiving, her family gathered knowledge of dementia, learned new skills, and adapted together through every stage of the disease—a collaborative and transformative experience that Heather credits for her success as much as any formal training. Through it all, Heather emerged as an international thought leader in dementia care and caregiver education and one of the industry’s most sought-after trainer/speakers.

As manager of Partnerships for Health, Heather provides training for professional and family caregivers and consultation with organizations on topics related to dementia care.  In 2009, Heather collaborated with the National Association of State Veterans Homes and other Veterans’ associations to produce the caregiver training video series, Dementia Care for America’s Heroes.  The film series received the national Caregiver Friendly Award and is available online at www.pfhnc.com. Heather is featured in other caregiver education produced by Stanford University, Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company, ComForCare, and At Your Side Home Care across the US and Canada.  In 2016, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America named Heather “Dementia Care Professional of the Year” for her dedication and devotion to serving individuals living with dementia, their families, professionals, and her community. She’s also been awarded by her occupational therapy peers for “humanitarian values, knowledge, and visionary leadership.”

In her characteristically down-to-earth, fun and informative style (and signature southern Appalachian accent) Heather helps caregivers understand dementia’s impact on communication, why communication breakdowns happen, and how to improve our interactions with people living with the disease—making life better for everyone involved!

 

Dr. Heather McKay shares about:

• Basic dementia-related knowledge—what every caregiver needs to know!
• Specific brain changes affecting communication
• Real-world stories of communication challenges that will resonate with you whether you are a professional, family caregiver, or someone living with dementia
• Practical, ready-to-use communication strategies to make doing things together easier, social visits more enjoyable, and dealing with distress safer and more effective.
• Valuable lessons learned from her practice and research with dementia caregivers nationwide.

 

For more information visit https://pfhnc.com/

 

Dr. Heather McKay is an occupational therapist, dementia care specialist, and international trainer/speaker.  She provides training for professional and family caregivers and consultation with organizations on topics related to dementia care. 

 

For more information about Dr. Heather McKay, our podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

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!

 

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

 

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

The city lights, the energy, the hope of dreams waiting to come true - Adrienne Glusman loved living in New York City. Having just graduated from college, she was beginning her life and making the most of living in the city with her friends.

 

One day, she received a phone call that would change her life. Her mom, Hetty, was diagnosed originally with Parkinson's disease which eventually would be Multiple System Atrophy. What do you do when all of the timelines and plans you had for your life change? The trajectory of life that you thought you were on, shifted?

 

There is a rise in young millennial caregivers. Caregiving is unique for this age group and provides its own set of challenges and rewards. Fueled by moving caregiving initiatives forward, Adrienne Glusman has documented her caregiving story with her mom and is the host of the podcast Young Life Interrupted, where she shares her story, offers support, and encourages us to be present and live with hope. Thank you, Adrienne, for your honesty, candor and ability to share your story with real emotion. Shedding a tear with you was an honor.

 

Adrienne shares about:

*How she made the decision to go from long-distance caregiving to moving close to her mom

*All of the emotions that happen in caregiving

*The rise of millennial caregivers

*What resources and support look like for millennial caregivers

 *Her journey while caring for her mom

*What its like to see your life on hold while everyone around you is moving forward

*Do we need to change our language around caregiving?

*What life is like post caregiving

 

For more information and to connect with Adrienne visit www.willGatherPodcast.com and follow here:

Facebook group -> facebook.com/groups/younglifeinterrupted

Instagram -> @Adrienne Glusman

Young Life Interrupted Podcast:

Apple podcasts -> https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/young-life-interrupted-a-podcast-for-young-caregivers/id1578015965

Spotify -> https://open.spotify.com/show/6Bve0C7xjldfEEOw43w5pk?si=QHybp81QS_q9x2njYX0gAA&dl_branch=1

 

Adrienne Glusman is professional speaker, ambassador and advocate on the topic of Millennial Caregiving, sharing her story and journey as an only-child caregiver to her mom, Hetty, who passed away in 2020 after living with Multiple System Atrophy since 2010.  Adrienne's story as Hetty's caregiver was featured in a Wall Street Journal article, 'The Call To Care for Aging Parents Comes Sooner Now'.

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 podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather

Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Happy Holidays to all of our listeners. I want to express my gratitude to you- wishing you many blessings this holiday season. A special message to all of you is included in this short episode. 

Also, we have new cover art for our podcast! We've updated our look and it's much easier to see what we are all about. As much as we loved the image of my grandma on our previous podcast cover- we felt it was hard to read and see the small icons used in the podcast world.  

We will be back in January, 2022- see you soon! 

 

In gratitude, Nicole 

www.willgatherpodcast.com

An accident can change everything. The fall of a 7,000 lbs. tree, while riding her bicycle on her wedding anniversary, left Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D. paralyzed from the waist down. Coming home from the hospital in a wheelchair was a rude awakening. Rosemarie knows firsthand how our homes can either offer frustration or ease and independence. This led to her life’s work and personal mission of educating those in the housing industry, government policymakers, and the public about universal design, green building expertise, and aging in place. The goal is to provide accessibility for those who wish to stay in their home for as long as possible to support those family caregiving needs. Dr. Rosemarie Rossetti's work is inspiring as she challenges us to rethink design and accessibility. Thank you, Rosemarie, for having important discussions around re-imagined living and workspaces.

 

Dr. Rosemarie Rossetti shares about:
*How her accident and return to home shaped her life's work
*What is universal design?
*Why this generation of boomers are making the choice to age differently than their parents
*The benefits, features and financial advantages around universal design
*What can people do to make their homes safer and more accessible?
*What features does a sustainable home provide?
*Rightsizing vs. downsizing
*What are some of the challenges facing the housing industry, government policymakers, and the public at large to address and meet the needs of housing for an exponentially growing aging population?
*All about the Universal Design Toolkit

 

Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D. is a powerful, internationally known speaker, trainer, author, consultant, and president of Rossetti Enterprises Inc. since January 1997. Her company is
certified as a Disability-Owned Business Enterprise. 

She is the author of the book the Universal Design Toolkit, Time-saving ideas, resources, solutions, and guidance for making homes accessible.

The Universal Design Living Laboratory is included in the second edition of the Universal Design Handbook.

To Learn More About Dr. Rosemarie Rossetti:
www.RosemarieSpeaks.com

To Learn More About the Universal Design Living Laboratory and the Universal Design Toolkit:
www.udll.com

Her TEDx talk video about the Universal Design Living Laboratory can be viewed at
https://www.rosemariespeaks.com/

 

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 guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather
Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Today, Dr. Mary Flett challenges us to not only age better but also age well.

Aging with Finesse spurs us to look at new ideas and opportunities as we age- Dr. Mary Flett shares strategies, insights and wisdom from her many years of clinical practice working with aging adults.

Recently retired from private practice as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Mary Flett, continues providing service to many aging adults. Through years of conversations, observations and practice she created the Five Pillars of Aging which started out as a weekly lecture at an assisted living community and was given life through a weekly blog and now a series of books- Aging with Finesse, a compilation of three books that navigates valuing ourselves as we grow older, connecting with ourselves and others as we age and essential skills for growing older with grace. This series was specifically designed to dive deeper into strategies for aging better and aging well.

This conversation is thought-provoking and lighthearted- Dr. Mary exudes warmth and authenticity that had me extending our conversation and looking forward to many more. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us, Dr. Mary!

Dr. Mary Flett shares about:
*How her influential relationship with her grandfather shaped her perspective on aging, caregiving, and her life's work
*Her unique perspective on aging as a clinical psychologist and many years of practice
*What is Aging with Finesse?
*The skills needed to adapt and accommodate to the challenges of aging
*We talk about the language around aging and societal assumptions
*Locating reliable resources
*Insights on policy and navigating the medical system
*How do we re-enter life after Covid?
*The call to all of us to not only age better, but age well

For more information visit @fivepillarsofaging

The Aging with Finesse series of books are available on Amazon & your local bookstore. 

 

Books mentioned:
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
Elderhood by Louise Aronson

Dr. Mary L. Flett recently retired from private practice as a clinical psychologist providing
services to aging adults. After 20-plus years in private practice, along with working as a
crisis-intervention specialist, research assistant, quality improvement specialist, and program
manager, in three different counties in California, she has turned her life’s work into Five Pillars
of Aging, helping all of us to age better and age well.

 

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 podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather
Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

What is it like living with a condition that affects both your mind and body, yet remains relatively unknown to many? Today, we are shedding light on Lewy Body Dementia, a complex condition that challenges individuals and families in unique ways.

We're thrilled to have Julia Wood, a dedicated occupational therapist who specializes in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson’s and related dementias. Julia's extensive experience, including her role as the director of Professional & Community Education at the Lewy Body Dementia Association, equips her with valuable knowledge and compassion for those affected by LBD. She’s here to share her expertise and provide guidance on navigating the complexities of LBD care.

In today’s conversation, we’ll explore everything from the symptoms and behavioral changes associated with LBD to practical strategies for communication, safety, and overall well-being. We talk all about the support systems available and look at how families can engage in advance care planning. Plus, Julia will share touching personal stories, shedding light on the resilience and challenges faced by individuals and families navigating LBD. Thank you Julia for sharing your knowledge with us!

Learn more at www.lbda.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

 

*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!

 

Jeremy Knopow set out to fulfill a promise he made to his late father who was diagnosed with ALS to make products better for those needing them. As a successful product designer, he was embarrassed by the lack of form and function that dated walkers provided. After spending many years researching and talking with users of walkers, older adults, caregivers, physicians, physical therapists, and many others- the Motivo Tour walker was created.

Today I interview Jeremy Knopow, Co-Founder of Motivo, a company that has brought forth change in the walker industry by bringing thoughtful design, functionality, dignity, and independence. As Jeremy mentions, "This industry has been engineering devices for medical conditions as opposed to designing products for people. Those are two very different things...".

We are encouraging families and older adults that use walkers or are looking to use the walkers that there is a better way. We talk about- what leads to walker use? The history of the original walker, a bigger conversation takes place about why these products have not been reinvented for so long and the call to designers and creators to look at what can we do to reinvent products for older adults, and create new products to provide solutions to common problems. I can't wait to see what Jeremy and Motivo design next! Thank you, Jeremy, for being a changemaker and making our world better.

As a gift to our listeners- Motivo is giving $100 off your order- using the code WILLGATHER100

For more information and to place an order, visit https://www.buymotivo.com/

Jeremy Knopow is a Product Designer and Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years of Fortune 100 new product development experience at companies including Kohler, SC Johnson, Fiskars, and Procter and Gamble. In 2012 following his late father’s battle with ALS, Knopow co-founded Motivo, Inc. to reinvent the world of mobility aids.

 

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 guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Instagram: @willgather
Facebook: WillGather

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

On average, caregivers are missing up to 6.6 workdays per year- that is the lost productivity and turnover. Let alone the stress caregivers feel trying to juggle caring for their loved ones and being productive at work.

How can the workplace support those caring for our older adults when they need it most? What if companies could ease this burden? What are some options to make the caregiving journey a little bit easier? How do we identify a workplace as caregiver-friendly? 

Today we talk with Marie Gress, CEO of Kovir, LLC. Kovir is a social enterprise that helps aging sector organizations increase their capacity and impact. Marie is a licensed master level social worker with specialties in macro practice and older adults. She shares about the important work that Kovir is a part of and we’re so happy she’s here with us today to talk about this important topic- creating a caregiver-friendly workplace. 

To contact Marie Gress and learn more about Kovir, LLC. Visit https://kovir.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.

Moving your loved one into a senior living community can bring up many mixed emotions- how can we ensure our loved one has a smooth transition into their new home? 

Is my loved one meeting new friends? Are they happy? Who are all these new people that we are interacting with each day? Families experience many emotions when moving their loved one into a new community- guilt, relief, fear, happiness- for each family there are a unique set of circumstances that have led them to this place.

We are talking about this today with Corey Hermans -Webster, she has a unique background working in different senior living communities, earning two master's degrees, and is a certified dementia practitioner. Corrie is passionate about accessibility, inclusivity, and making those around her feel happy and fulfilled in their lives. Corrie is on the product team Eversound which is an advanced listening system that is designed to use in senior living communities to enhance your loved ones' ability to hear and feel a part of the community. 

Corrie shares about: 
*How families and senior living communities can support smooth transitions for our loved ones 

*We talk about the roles various departments play in a community and how we can effectively communicate our loved one's needs

*How the Life Enrichment and Activity Departments can aid in fostering relationships and community

*We discuss the many mixed emotions that we face as we move our loved ones into their next home 

*Tips on overcoming impairments that can make connections challenging 

*How we overcome possible Covid restrictions and safely engage and communicate with our loved ones

For more information visit https://eversoundhq.com/ 

AD: Visit Joe & Bella: One stop shopping for the older adult in your life. Use the promo code GATHER to receive 10% off your first purchase at Joe & Bella. 

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 guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com 

Instagram: @willgather 
Facebook: WillGather 

Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.