PODCAST · health
EPAGA University
by Inga Lake & Julie Brubaker
EPAGA U is hosted by Inga Lake and Julie Brubaker, two farm-loving, girl-moms who have been serving families with seniors and individuals with disabilities their entire lives. Tune in each week as they discuss all things caregiving, senior care, and more!
Episodes
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Ep. 149 | Surviving Cold & Flu Season
"Influenza (flu) and the common cold are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests can tell if a...
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Ep. 148 | Ringin' in 2025 with... Night Sweats?
We're back with our first episode of 2025!! To celebrate, we're bringing you everything you didn't know you needed to know about night sweats! "Night sweats are very common, but they can be quite disruptive when severe. Fortunately, there are ways you can stop them once you find the cause"...
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Ep. 147 | Gratitude Beyond Thanksgiving
Showing gratitude is sometimes a required or expected thing, but at other times, a spontaneous “thank you” to someone who has unknowingly made our day. On most occasions, we show gratitude to bring the good feelings we have been gifted back to the gifter. As it turns out, it does quite a lot for...
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Ep. 146 | The Importance of Getting Your Zzzzz!
Everybody has a unique sleep pattern, and your loved one’s sleep routine does not have to be written in stone. Pay attention to the natural sleeping habits of your older adult and attempt to cater to these as much as possible—and not force a new routine on them (Seasons). How much sleep is too...
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Ep. 145 | Baby, it's cold outside! - Safe Snow Driving 101
"According to AAA, snow-covered roads and roads coated with ice, slush, or water cause nearly 500,000 vehicle crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths yearly" (Kelley Blue Book). Join us this week as we dive into the ins and outs of staying safe out on the snowy and icy roads. Lock in and stay…
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Ep. 144 | Superbugs and Why They're Super Serious
"A superbug may be bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi. Superbugs can't be stopped by medicines that are the first choice for treating diseases these germs cause. Superbug infections can lead to higher rates of death from otherwise treatable diseases" (Mayo Clinic). Scary, right? The good news…
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Ep. 143 | Let's Talk About Caregiving for Your Spouse
"Numerous circumstances can lead you in becoming a caregiver for your spouse. Accidents, illness, dementia, and general decline are just some of the few. Caregiving can be a sudden unexpected event or a slowly progressing situation. No matter how it happens, caregiving for a spouse can be...
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Ep. 142 | Everything You Didn't Want to Know About Constipation
If you're feeling a little backed up, know that constipation is actually quite common. In fact, constipation affects 15 percent of the world's population. While knowing you're not alone won't provide you with the relief you're looking for, there are a few things you can do to help manage your...
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Ep. 141 | The Importance of Oral Health
"Past studies have shown a link between gum infection and stroke, but few studies have looked into what role dental cavities might play. In the new study, researchers looked specifically at cavities and intracerebral stroke, which occur when an artery in the brain bursts and floods surrounding...
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Ep. 140 | Let's Talk Reverse Mortgages w/ Emily Wilson
Emily Wilson is a seasoned professional with a servant heart who transitioned from 15 years in the senior care industry to the mortgage field. For the past two years, she has been specializing in reverse mortgages, with a passion for educating her clients and supporting seniors in improving their...
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Ep. 139 | Telehealth 101
"How many times have you heard it said that the internet has changed modern life? Indeed, it's likely changed how you stay in touch with family and friends and buy goods and services, and it's probably even changed how you search for information about health problems" (Mayo Clinic). Join us this...
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Ep. 138 | I Mustache You a Question...
Unwanted, unwelcome hair growth is no laughing matter!! Join the gals today as we discuss hair growth in women as we age, and what to do about it if you'd rather it be gone. SHOW NOTES Julie's Uplifting Story: Town Is Missing its Clothing as 4-Pawed Cat Burglar Pilfers Items from Neighbors and...
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Ep. 137 | Aging is a Funny Thing
We're celebrating this Labor Day with a lighter episode filled with lots of laughs! Join us this week as we pop off with a few of our favorite aging jokes and stories! SHOW NOTES Julie's Uplifting Story: Student Dreams of Stadiums Harnessing Crowd Noise for Electricity–Inspired by Monsters Inc....
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Ep. 136 | Social Security 201 w/ Dianna Kintzler
We're moving up a 100-level with help from special guest, Dianna Kintzler! Join us as we learn more about some incredible resources available to help you get the most out of these government programs. SHOW NOTES Julie's Uplifting Story: Chinese Doctor Removes Patient’s Lung Tumor Using Robot…
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Ep. 135 | Social Security 102
You've completed 101... now it's time for 102! This week, we're diving into a few other programs related to Social Security, including SSI and SSDI, the similarities between the two programs, as well as the differences. SHOW NOTES Inga's Uplifting Story: Wish of a Lifetime Julie's Uplifting…
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Ep. 134 | Social Security 101
When is the optimal time to retire and start claiming benefits? Can I work and still get Social Security? What happens to my benefit if my spouse and I divorce? Join us as we discuss the answers to these questions and more, all on this week's episode! SHOW NOTES Julie's Uplifting Story: Grandad...
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Ep. 133 | Bringing Joy Through Spiritual Wellness w/ Susan Moore
Susan Moore is a wife of 43 years, a mom of three grown children, and a woman of God who works daily to align her priorities with His Word. Susan moved to the Flathead Valley in 2017 and currently works with Logan Health. Last year, the Faith Community Nurse program was implemented locally thanks...
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Ep. 132 | Distributing Your Treasures the Right Way w/ Connie Page
We are joined this week by Connie Page, Certified Trust and Probate Specialist, and Certified Seniors Real Estate Specialist! "Though I do traditional real estate transactions—my personal focus is on Seniors, Trust and Probate real estate matters. Creating a plan for the family, and being part of...
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Ep. 131 | Everything You Need to Know About Huntington's
Huntington's Disease (HD) Fast Facts (via Honestly HD): More than 30,000 Americans are living with HD. Everyone has two huntingtin (HTT) genes, one from each parent. Huntington’s disease develops when one of those genes carries the mutation. In some families, appearance of symptoms happens…
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Ep. 130 | Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain
"Fibromyalgia is a long-term (chronic) health condition that causes pain and tenderness throughout your body. It causes musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. Experts don’t know what causes fibromyalgia, but studies have found that certain health conditions, stress and other changes in your life might...
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Ep. 129 | Unscheduled Rant
You never think it's going to happen to you... As owners of a Home Care business, we see all too often hospitals failing to help families make the transition from hospital to home. When it happened to one of our own, we were able to see this happen from a more intimate perspective, and cemented…
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Ep. 128 | Back on air... Guess where we went!
Did you miss us? Pffft... We know you did! Join us this week as we catch up on the happenings, what's new, and the super cool trip we just got back from! SHOW NOTES Julie's Uplifting Story: The Average American Enjoys Over 100 ‘Extraordinary Days’ in a Year Inga's Uplifting Story: Dog runs four...
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Ep. 127 | Let's Talk Multiple Sclerosis
"Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. Currently there is no cure. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include fatigue, mobility challenges, cognitive changes and vision issues. Nearly 1 million people in the United States live with MS and 2.8…
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Ep. 126 | The Do’s and Don’ts of the Dotted Line
"The receptionist at the doctor’s office gives you a sheaf of papers to fill out. As the air-conditioning repairman leaves, he hands you a contract. In a spa’s waiting room, you’re asked to sign an agreement before your Swedish massage. All this may be presented as routine paperwork — no big…
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Ep. 125 | Prior Proper Planning - Disaster Edition
"First, know your risk. Then, understand your needs during emergencies. This section guides you through a self-assessment process to identify your specific needs so that you can create a personalized emergency plan." It's easy to think you will be able to navigate through a natural disaster as it...
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Ep. 124 | All [Service] Creatures Great and Small
"If the dog’s mere presence provides comfort, it is not a service animal under the ADA. But if the dog is trained to perform a task related to a person’s disability, it is a service animal under the ADA. For example, if the dog has been trained to sense that an anxiety attack is about to happen…
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Ep. 123 | Till Debt do us Part? Navigating Debt Through Marriage and Death
"Coping with the death of a loved one is difficult enough without the added stress of dealing with financial matters. Whether you’re a spouse, parent, child, or friend, the emotional toll could be compounded by worries about finances. Here’s a touch of good news. While you may have to help handle...
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Ep. 122 | Preparing for Surgery 101
"As life expectancies lengthen and medical technology advances, the number of older adults undergoing surgical procedures increases. While these procedures can greatly improve quality of life and health outlooks for patients, they can also cause short-term impediments that can impact an older...
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Ep. 121 | The Magic of Music Therapy w/ Jenna Justice
We've got a special treat in store for you this week! 🎶 "Music Therapy is the clinical & evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. Music…
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Ep. 120 | Identifying and Navigating Phone and Internet Scams
"Scammers use lots of different tactics — stories about grandchildren in distress, million-dollar prizes, a romantic future, or a business deal — to try to steal peoples’ money. Scammers may demand payment by wire transfers, gift cards, and cryptocurrency — methods that transfer funds quickly and...
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Ep. 119 | Safe [Lone] Travels!
"For many women, driving alone can be an empowering and liberating experience. Unfortunately, it can also be a dangerous one. As a woman who drives alone, it is important to be aware of the risks and to take safety precautions" (Automotiveex). No matter your age or gender, join us this week as we...
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Ep. 118 | The Benefits of Just an Ounce of Awe
"In the scientific literature, awe has been identified as a very distinct positive emotion that can enhance mental and physical health by influencing thought patterns, social behavior, and physiology. [. . .] Research demonstrates that repeated exposure to awe positively affects our stress...
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Ep. 117 | Morphine: The Dos, Don'ts, and Definitely Nots
"Sandra was distraught. In addition to experiencing grief following her father’s death, she was haunted by fears that she had 'killed him' by agreeing to use morphine to control his pain near the end of his life. “He never woke up after we started the morphine. It was only a couple days until he...
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Ep. 116 | Autism Spectrum Disorder
"Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or autism, is a broad term used to describe a group of neurodevelopmental conditions. These conditions are characterized by differences in communication and social interaction. People with ASD often demonstrate restricted and repetitive interests or patterns of...
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Ep. 115 | Migraines 101
"To have a migraine brain is to have a highly reactive brain that does not respond well to changes in light, temperature, sound or even smell. Anything that triggers this increased sensitivity can cause your brain to start zipping off pain signals. The headache can last up to 72 hours, but the…
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Ep. 114 | The Wonderful World of Bodily Functions
***DISCLAIMER*** Please proceed with caution if you do not possess the sense of humor of a 12-year-old boy... "According to a 2018 Science Daily study, 60% to 80% of people surveyed admitted to not being forthcoming with their doctors about information that could be relevant to their health.…
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Ep. 113 | Why You Might be Losing Your Luscious Locks
"Some medications, including vitamin A, antibiotics, and chemotherapy, can cause temporary hair loss. Others, including hormone therapy, may cause hair loss that is permanent" (healthline). This week, we're talking about hair loss! Whether it be from medications or the health conditions…
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Ep. 112 | Spinal Cord Injuries
"The spinal cord sends and receives signals between the brain and the rest of the body. A spinal cord injury often causes permanent changes in strength, feeling and other body functions below the site of the injury. People who have had a spinal cord injury also may experience mental, emotional…
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Ep. 111 | Me, You, and the ICU
"It is the middle of the night and the phone rings. Your family member has been in a car accident and is rushed to the hospital. He is currently in the intensive care unit (ICU). You race to the hospital and are met by the intensive care doctor. All you hear is 'critical, unstable, and surgery.'...
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Ep. 102 | Regina Brett's 42 Life Lessons
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 42 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I’ve ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more." Join us this week for something a little different, but just as enlightening, wholesome, and...
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Ep. 105 | Sometimes, it Pays to Age!
We've all heard of businesses offering a senior discount at a restaurant or when you're buying tickets to the high school football game, but there are senior discounts abundant with so many other things you've probably never even considered! Join us this week as we break down a solid list of...
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Ep. 110 | Is Beauty Really Pain? Using Makeup to Boost Self Esteem
"Look good, feel good," right?! Confidence and independence are two of the most important things you can help your aging loved one maintain throughout their later years. Makeup (in older women particularly) is something that many individuals utilize to hide flaws and/or to feel more confident…
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Ep. 109 | Medical Alert Systems and How to Choose Between Them
"Medical alert systems allow seniors to call for 24/7 help with a push of a button. Sometimes referred to as personal emergency response systems (PERS), they allows seniors to maintain their independent lifestyles and avoid costly hospital bills. These medical response systems also give families...
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Ep. 108 | Meals on Meals on Meals on Wheels
"Our nation’s senior population is growing exponentially, outpacing the resources available to serve vulnerable older adults and putting their health and well-being in jeopardy. Meals on Wheels is a proven public-private partnership that effectively addresses the challenges of aging by promoting...
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Ep. 107 | We're Back! [to the Basics]
We're back, better than ever, AND taking you back to the basics of in home care!! Whether you're new here or have listened to every episode thus far, we invite you into this refresher course on what home care is, how to get started with home care, and more! Laugh with us, learn with us, and come...
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Ep. 106 | Retiring 101
"You’ve been working toward this for decades. It’s so close you can almost reach out and touch it. . .the day you walk away from work and into a new season of life called retirement! But hold on, guys. You can’t just pack up your office one day, hop on a plane to Florida, and dive into retirement...
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Ep. 104 | Blue Zones: Secrets of the Centenarians
"In the early 2000s, Dan Buettner collaborated with National Geographic to reverse-engineer a formula for longevity. He scoured the globe for years in pursuit of places where people live much longer than average, and the concept of blue zones came to fruition. To date, the expeditions unveiled...
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Ep. 103 | The Way We Talk About Aging Matters
From 'you look great for your age' to 'the elderly are so cute,' our well-intended words can sometimes miss the mark when we're trying to compliment an older adult" (Reader's Digest). Have you ever found yourself in a situation where something you said to an older adult rubbed them the wrong way?...
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Ep. 101 | Home Expansions and Accommodations
"After Janice Cook's husband died in 2019, her 1,600-square-foot three-bedroom house felt too big. Marilyn Griffin, her only child, who lived nearby, knew her mother was too vital to think about retirement communities. 'We wanted her to live well in a smaller space,' says Marilyn, who works in...
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Ep. 100 | 100th Episode Celebration w/ the Moms!
HAPPY 100TH EPISODE! 🎉 We cannot believe we have gone 99 episodes without introducing you to our mother dearests! We are SO excited to finally have Jean and Cheryl join us on the podcast for an hour of laughing, crying, the BEST stories, and pure joy! This is one episode you will not want to…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
EPAGA U is hosted by Inga Lake and Julie Brubaker, two farm-loving, girl-moms who have been serving families with seniors and individuals with disabilities their entire lives. Tune in each week as they discuss all things caregiving, senior care, and more!
HOSTED BY
Inga Lake & Julie Brubaker
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does EPAGA University have?
EPAGA University currently has 150 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is EPAGA University about?
EPAGA U is hosted by Inga Lake and Julie Brubaker, two farm-loving, girl-moms who have been serving families with seniors and individuals with disabilities their entire lives. Tune in each week as they discuss all things caregiving, senior care, and more!
How often does EPAGA University release new episodes?
EPAGA University publishes regularly with 150 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to EPAGA University?
You can listen to EPAGA University on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts EPAGA University?
EPAGA University is created and hosted by Inga Lake & Julie Brubaker.
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