If It's Not One Thing, It's Joanna

In this episode, we embrace the gray areas of dementia care with help from Dr. Catherine Madison, author of Navigating Memory Loss: Essential Questions And Answers On Alzheimer's And Dementia. Dr Madison introduces us to anosognosia - when we don't remember what we don't remember - and how to cope with it. We discuss the challenge and necessity of unlearning things we were taught as children, and how Hogeweyk - an innovative dementia village in the Netherlands is letting things happen. There’s a bittersweet update on Mom’s new penchant for solo musical numbers and tips for the tough work of crafting end of life instructions while you still can.  Links: https://www.amazon.com/Navigating-Memory-Loss-Essential-Alzheimers/dp/B0FMGR232F https://www.mdmemorycare.com/ https://hogeweyk.dementiavillage.com/ Chapters (00:00:00) - Interview(00:02:58) - Dementia Care: Unreasonably Irrational Events(00:04:27) - Mom's Singing Ditties(00:06:16) - Dr. Katherine Madison on Alzheimer's and Dementia(00:07:40) - Dr. Remington Dolby on Alzheimer's and dementia(00:09:58) - Dementia and the Alzheimer's Association(00:12:39) - Anosognosia and the evaluation of it(00:15:02) - Dementia: Different Realities(00:21:18) - How to Deal with Behavioural Dementia(00:27:13) - Is There a Premonition of Death in the Final Months of(00:30:41) - Decisions about end of life for people with dementia(00:39:00) - Talking About Death and Dying(00:39:58) - The social model for dementia care(00:48:50) - Dr. Catherine Madison on Alzheimer's and Dementia(00:50:10) - A caregiver's concerns about her dementia village(00:53:56) - How to Care for a Parent With Dementia(00:58:09) - Joanna: Thanks for listening to our podcast. You're already listening, so we appreciate you

Closing our series on Senior Tech, we are joined by Juliet Holt Klinger, a gerontologist and dementia care expert with 40 years of experience, including leadership at the nation's largest senior care network. Juliet brings a wealth of knowledge from her successful career and pivot to emerging technologies. In this fascinating discussion, we explore how AI and other tech tools are shaping the future of dementia care and aging in place. She shares insights on practical tech applications, privacy considerations and retrofitting tips to improve safety and quality of life for seniors. We also dive into the larger questions about what impact this tech may have on the healthcare system and how we can shape it for the better. Resources Mentioned: Ask Elbi – Ai-powered guidance app for dementia caregivers. SafelyYou – AI-enabled fall detection for senior care. Brookdale – Senior living and memory care solutions. Chapters (00:00:00) - In the Elevator With Talking Heads(00:02:05) - Jill Schumacher's Mother Passes Away(00:04:17) - This Week's Guest: Juliet Holt Klinger on Technology for Sen(00:07:10) - Juliet Holker on Tech and Dementia(00:10:30) - The Future of AI in dementia Caregiving(00:18:34) - Seniors and the AI of their care(00:26:23) - Questions about the Training of the AI in dementia care(00:32:14) - How to Get in the Bathroom With a Paralyzed Mom(00:33:45) - How to help someone with dementia cross a threshold(00:38:35) - How to Prepare a Mother's Bathroom for Alzheimer's(00:42:16) - Gardent Living: The Future of Senior Living(00:50:26) - Should Seniors Buy an ADU?(00:54:26) - Seniors and the Tech of Caregiving(00:59:11) - 3 Takeaways From Juliet's Conversation About AI in Senior Care(01:06:17) - Oh, My Pretty Face

How much tech is too much tech when monitoring a senior? After the siblings share how they navigated this balance with Joanna, they are joined by the team at Nomo Smart Care—an innovative monitoring system designed to help seniors maintain independence while giving caregivers much-needed peace of mind. President David Baer and Vice President of Marketing Lindsay Park stop by to discuss their unique approach to safety, which utilizes physical tags, motion detection, and proprietary software to ensure a safety net that respects privacy. Tune in to learn about Nomo’s features and how this technology is fundamentally transforming the caregiving experience. AND...use code Joanna10 for $10 off the Nomo Smart Care Essential Care Kit at nomosmartcare.com. Chapters (00:00:10) - Keeping the Home Safe for My Daughter(00:04:25) - Do Caregiving Cameras Hurt Your Mom's Privacy?(00:08:25) - Nomo Smart Care: Opening a Package(00:08:55) - Where Nomo Smart Care Goes From Here(00:12:48) - How To Protect Your Home(00:14:11) - Anomal Home Safety System: Essential Care Kit(00:18:55) - Nomo for Alzheimer's: The Home Companion(00:24:07) - Nomo Alert for Fall Detection(00:30:59) - The Caregiving App for the elderly(00:33:58) - Personal Data and Security(00:40:44) - Three Takeaways From Nomo Smart Care(00:46:52) - HSA/FSA and Flexible Savings Account(00:47:42) - PODCAST wrap up

Join us for an insightful conversation with Rabbi Josh Bennett from Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan. We explore the role of spirituality, the impact of Jewish traditions, and how faith and community support us through life's challenges, including caring for a loved one with dementia. Don't miss the Rabbi's deep dive into Karin's spiritual perspective and his thoughts on what 'religious' really means. Note: We recorded the Rabbi the day before the tragic events at Temple Israel - we are incredibly grateful to the first responders and community members who kept our Temple safe. Chapters (00:00:05) - "On the Street Where I Live"(00:00:43) - The Longest-Standing Congregation Member at Temple Israel(00:02:23) - A Caregiving Perspective on Temple Israel(00:06:52) - The Blind Talk(00:09:22) - Rabbi, From a Rabbinical Perspective(00:11:18) - Rabbi Josh Bennett's Introduction(00:12:01) - Rabbi Adam Levine on Becoming a Rabbi(00:17:17) - How spirituality can help you care for ailing loved one(00:22:47) - The importance of prayer in our lives(00:25:55) - What Do You Don't Believe In?(00:28:30) - Rabbi Ashkenazi on God and Community(00:33:10) - How to Care for a Dementia Patient(00:37:43) - Rabbi Josh on the Temple Israel Incident(00:39:44) - Do You Still Believe in God? With Rabbi Josh

Continuing our status chats about Mom's journey since moving back home, we welcome back to the pod the amazing Latrice, one of our Dream Team care members. She gives us her take on what she has seen looking after Joanna over these past 20 months. Before Latrice's feedback, Karin shares community notes about two of our favorite local resources - Durst-Ace Lumber in Berkley Michigan (acehardware.com/store-details/04257) and Barkside in Southfield Michigan (barksidedogbar.com). The former is a longtime lifesaver who still treats you like family, and the latter is a dog party planet on earth where Joanna has been flourishing on the weekends. In the betweens, to usher in spring Jojo offers some valiant falsettos for your listening pleasure.

Karin and Andrew are joined by their sister, Julie, to share firsthand observations from over a year of caring for their mom in her home. The siblings highlight surprising signs of some gentle decline, along with incredible steadiness. They discuss subtle behavior changes like increased walking around the house, fluctuating memory and mild escape attempts! These are all signals worth noticing, as they continue on Joanna’s caregiving journey. Chapters (00:00:04) - Singing Through a Real Headphone(00:01:07) - Happy Birthday to Julie Halpert!(00:02:21) - Decoding Mom's Changes Since Moving her Home(00:09:50) - Senor Dorothy Still Plays the Piano(00:14:34) - A chair for her wheelchair in the living room(00:19:07) - A Taste of Caregiving with Alzheimer's(00:23:08) - If It's Not One Thing, It's JoJo

In this conversation, Stacey McCandlish shares her family's journey, focusing on the dynamics between siblings as they navigate rapid changes in their parents’ care and, ultimately, a cross country move. The discussion highlights the importance of communication, planning, and the roles each family member plays in ensuring the well-being of their parents. Through personal anecdotes, Stacey illustrates the impact of dementia, the struggles and triumphs of managing care, and the need for siblings to come together in these challenging times. Chapters (00:00:06) - 耀 Lucky 13(00:02:05) - A Taste of Dementia on the Podcast(00:07:22) - Stacy on Her Parents' Drama(00:09:57) - Stacey McCandlish on Caregiving(00:16:52) - The Alzheimer's Care Transition(00:24:01) - A moment of silence for the chronically ill(00:24:42) - The Pain of Grieving Your Parents' Death(00:29:35) - What Advice Would You Have for People Going Through a Senior Care Transition(00:34:37) - The Dignity of Alzheimer's(00:38:11) - This Cross Country Move for a Senior Citizen(00:42:08) - A Silent Retreat for Caregivers

In the final episode of our three-part series on under-utilized resources, we chat with Hope Dudek of Michigan Palliative and Hospice Care. Hope walks us through the medical aspects of hospice care, exploring its holistic approach to patient care, the role of caregivers, eligibility misconceptions, and the importance of comfort and quality of life. Hope shares insights on navigating medical decisions, the emotional support provided to families, and the financial aspects of hospice care. The discussion emphasizes that hospice is a choice, focused on enhancing life quality rather than hastening death, and it aims to dispel common myths surrounding hospice services. Michigan Palliative and Hospice Care Website Chapters (00:00:03) - What You Need to Know About Hospice Care(00:01:57) - Thanksgiving at Mom's House(00:03:05) - How to Have a Thanksgiving With Split Families(00:08:17) - What Do We Do About Hospice Care?(00:09:45) - Medical aspects of hospice(00:11:32) - What Is Hospice? (Social) Care(00:20:07) - The Importance of Hospice(00:24:08) - Does Hospice Matter?(00:32:09) - What's the longest you've ever heard of anybody staying at hosp(00:36:14) - When to call hospice? Advice from professionals(00:42:35) - A Minute With Hospice: What's Included in the Care?(00:47:06) - Is It Time to Talk About Hospice?

Our 3-part series on hidden gem resources continues as we sit down with Leslie Katz, Director of Patient Services at the Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network (JHCN). After we share Joanna's wonderful experience with JHCH, Leslie shines a light on their crucial non-medical support for seniors with life-limiting illnesses. She dispels common misconceptions by showing how broad hospice care can be, and how seniors without a hospice designation can still enjoy JHCN's services. The discussion covers everything from managing anticipatory grief to the vital role of social work, spiritual care, and unique life enrichment services like art, music and pet visits. Leslie illuminates their wide-ranging mission and how community donations sustain their essential support for patients and families. For more info and guidance, regardless of your loved one's current status, reach out to JHCN. Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network (JHCN) Website Chapters (00:00:06) - A Ghost Appears in the Elevator(00:01:32) - Caring for a Dementian with dementia(00:02:46) - Seniors with dementia: resources to support their care(00:03:38) - There's a Camp for seniors with dementia(00:04:40) - Jewish Hospice Chaplaincy Network(00:09:15) - Dulcet Songs for Mom(00:11:05) - Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network(00:21:00) - What services can the dementia patient attend?(00:27:47) - Palliative Care in the End of Life(00:35:01) - Seniors in the Care(00:37:45) - Happy Valentine's Day, Joanna(00:39:09) - The Gift of Hospice: Available Resources for Seniors(00:43:33) - A Little Song for Your Mother

In the first of a new series on little-known resources, we chat with Sharilyn Rowe of The Brown Center - an adult day care for seniors with dementia. We explore effective strategies for engaging participants through various activities and cognitive stimulation techniques. The discussion emphasizes the importance of helping seniors keep their bodies and minds active, even in decline, and Sharilyn gives us some tips on how we can apply these techniques in the home setting. The Brown Center Website Chapters (00:00:08) - A Taste of Senior Care: Episode 10(00:02:21) - Our Special Guest for Today(00:05:31) - A Daycare for Alzheimer's Patients(00:12:19) - The Dorothy and Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Program(00:18:16) - Living With Alzheimer's: Activities for Everyone(00:22:44) - How many participants are at the YMCA?(00:23:41) - Group Discussion at the Alzheimer's Program(00:25:01) - How is the Brown Center funded?(00:27:37) - The Brown Center's positive impact(00:28:48) - Caregiver with dementia asks for help(00:35:35) - A Mother's Night Out(00:36:32) - The Brown Center for the Deaf(00:38:35) - Looking for meaningful activities for your loved one with dementia in the future

This is the first time that we actually interviewed a senior, our family friend Sheila Stone. She shares her experiences with the challenges of aging, especially in light of her family history, where she witnessed her mother and sister live with dementia. She discusses her past career, relationships with her children and the importance of maintaining independence as she ages. Sheila offers unfiltered insights into how families can manage tough conversations with their aging loved ones and stresses the value of community and social connections. Chapters (00:00:03) - Is Your Love Ready For The Countdown(00:00:19) - Caring for My Mother With Alzheimer's(00:01:11) - A Chat With a Senior with dementia(00:04:48) - An Interview with My Mother(00:07:59) - In the Elevator With Hillary Clinton(00:08:41) - We've come up with an easy test to find out whether you have dementia(00:10:41) - A Senior Citizen's Conversation About Dementia(00:11:48) - So Your Mother Had Alzheimer's...(00:15:25) - In the Elevator With Ron Daly(00:18:56) - What led to you leaving Huntington Woods(00:20:12) - When Did You Stop Driving?(00:22:44) - Seniors talk about the independence(00:24:17) - Seniors on the Walker(00:27:05) - A Parent's Advice for Kids(00:28:02) - In the Elevator With Bridge(00:30:25) - A Bridge Guest's Last Words(00:31:38) - Sheila on Her Mother's Retirement(00:36:46) - How to Deal with a Dementia Mom's Outings(00:42:35) - Pretty Things For Your Mother

In the final episode of the three-part series on family caregiving, lifelong friend Jill Schumacher joins the siblings to discuss the challenges of caring for her mom, even with caregivers in the house 24 hours a day. Through humor and heartfelt stories, they explore the balance of personal and professional life and share the ups and downs of caring for an aging parent. Karin and Andrew then offer takeaways from the series, emphasizing the power of community and self-care. Programming note: Andrew experienced some technical difficulties for a brief time during this episode. Any listener who emails us the timestamp of when Andrew audibly expresses frustration (which we left in) will receive a shout out during an upcoming episode. Email your response to: [email protected]. Chapters (00:00:02) - A Mother's Love Letter(00:00:37) - A Little Micro-Series(00:01:01) - Family Caregiving, Part 3(00:03:47) - Jill Schumacher on the Village of Huntington Woods(00:09:55) - Deborah on Her Dad's Anger(00:14:30) - People Talk About Death On The Podcast(00:16:57) - My 87-Year-Old Mother's Fall(00:21:52) - The Resident Who Gave My Mom Covid(00:22:22) - Living with a chronically ill mom(00:26:17) - How to Balance Caregiving and Your Mom's Care(00:29:26) - How Much Time Does a Caregiver Have to Dedicate to(00:33:30) - Walking With My Mom's Caregiver(00:36:59) - Andrew On His Mother's Alzheimer's(00:40:52) - Kramer on His Friendship With Jill(00:42:09) - PODCAST: Getting a Wired Mic(00:43:05) - Jill on 24.7 Care(00:44:14) - Caregiver Voices: Community(00:47:30) - A Voice for Family Caregivers

Karin and Andrew continue to delve into the challenges and triumphs of caregiving within families. They are joined by Alyssa Riddle, a yoga instructor who has been a caregiver for her father since a young age. Alyssa shares her journey of balancing her personal life with the responsibilities of caregiving, offering insights into the emotional and practical aspects of this role. The conversation touches on themes of love, family dynamics, and the unexpected paths life can take. Tune in to hear Alyssa's inspiring story and learn how she navigates her unique situation with grace and compassion.

The siblings kick off their 3-part series exploring the experiences of family members thrust into the role of caring for aging parents—examining not just the day-to-day work, but also the strategies these caregivers use to cope with the emotional toll. In Part 1, they share their personal journey caring for Joanna, and sit down with longtime friend Howard Krugel, who stepped in when his father became too much for his senior home staff to manage. Howard shares an inspiring story of love, resilience, and discovering blessings in the most challenging times.  Chapters (00:00:02) - Wish Upon A Star(00:01:05) - A caregiver's yoga practice(00:03:46) - The Challenges of Family Caregiving(00:04:43) - The Challenges of Taking Care of Mom(00:09:57) - One caregiver's struggle with mom's dementia(00:13:27) - A 90-year-old woman's struggle to get out of(00:15:37) - Interviewing Mom(00:17:16) - Welcome Howard Krugel to the Podcast(00:18:35) - How are you doing with ALS?(00:19:33) - How to care for an Alzheimer's patient with dementia(00:26:59) - How to Take Care of Your Dad With Alzheimer's(00:35:55) - The Cost of Care for ailing Dad(00:39:28) - A Caregiving for the Alzheimer's patient(00:43:18) - Howard On His Dad's Death(00:47:49) - A message about the podcast(00:49:25) - Oh Sam, You're So Beautiful

Karin and Andrew discuss the progression of Joanna's care costs, including how she was able to afford assisted living, and then her home care program. To get a wider handle on senior care cost, the siblings are joined by Richard Eisenberg, the former managing editor of Next Avenue, the PBS site for the 50+ crowd. Through his books, freelance articles and podcast Friends Talk Money, Richard has become an important voice at the intersection of aging and personal finance. He shares numbers, challenges and suggestions for those asking how to pay for senior care. Friends Talk Money Podcast The Latest From Richard Eisenberg Chapters (00:00:01) - Unique New York: The arsonist has oddly shaped feet(00:00:35) - When Caring for an Aging Loved One(00:01:30) - How to Manage Mom's Money as She Gets Older(00:09:49) - Moving Mom back to her home(00:17:42) - Richard Eisenberg on His Unretired Life(00:18:43) - Care for Your Aging Loved One(00:25:58) - Group Homes for the elderly(00:29:42) - Medicaid for Alzheimer's and dementia(00:35:01) - Planning for Your Senior Care Needs(00:43:02) - Richard and Karen on Long Term Care Insurance(00:45:36) - Wishing Amy and Richard Well-bye(00:46:31) - Joanna's Songs at the Piano(00:47:44) - Long Term Care Insurance: Important for Seniors(00:52:18) - Seniors and the Retirement Problem(00:53:04) - A message from Joanna's

Andrew and Karin discuss the challenges of taking care of Joanna before they were able to get the care she needed. Then, they talk to a valued member of the JoBabe Dream Team, Latrice, who shares her experiences in the care world and what people should be looking for when finding the right care for a loved one. Chapters (00:00:00) - The Top Podcast in the Universe Is at 99%.(00:02:17) - The Sound of Music and Caregiving(00:08:30) - When You Need To Talk About Your Mom's Pooping(00:10:43) - The Secret to A Shark Attack(00:12:52) - What to Do When Your Mom Poops On the Carpet(00:19:09) - The Care Plan for a Carer(00:21:55) - How a caregiver got into caregiving(00:25:33) - Helping the elderly with their care(00:28:01) - Private Care for Alzheimer's Residents(00:30:55) - The Caregiver's Crush(00:32:57) - Differences between memory care and assisted living(00:35:04) - One caregiver's daily routine for her elderly mom(00:37:53) - The Caregiver's Love Letter(00:40:55) - How to Manage a Caregiver

Andrew asks Karin to share how she was tasked with handling Joanna’s financial affairs as she started to decline. Estate attorney Russell Wise of Wise & Wise, PLC in Southfield, Michigan joins the siblings to offer legal advice that will be invaluable for anyone who is caring for an aging loved one. Chapters (00:00:03) - How to Care for a Senior With dementia(00:01:20) - Alzheimer's Caregiving: The Complicated Issues(00:04:27) - How To Handle A Parent With Alzheimer's(00:13:12) - When You Need to Activate Your Mom's Power of Attorney(00:16:12) - Meet the Founder and Senior Member of Wise & Wise plc(00:17:02) - Should an Aging Loved One Have an Estate Plan?(00:21:58) - Esteal Plan(00:23:26) - Do I Need a Springing Power of Attorney?(00:27:40) - Power of Attorney(00:35:12) - When You Get Disabled, Do You Need a Personal Conservator?(00:37:53) - Should I Have a Guardianship or Conservatorship Plan?(00:43:44) - Estate Plans and How to Get Them Done(00:47:25) - The Value of Estate Planning for Alzheimer's Families

Andrew and Karin’s sister, Julie Halpert, joins them to discuss Joanna’s dementia progression and eventual Alzheimer's diagnosis. Dr. Anthony Emmer of Neurology Consultants of Southfield, Michigan discusses different types of dementia, advancements in detection and medication, and advice on how to care for loved ones as they progress through this neurodegenerative disease. Chapters (00:00:11) - Diagnosing dementia(00:01:18) - The Signs That Mom Was Starting to Get Older(00:08:40) - Karen on Her Mother's Driving(00:10:57) - The Alzheimer's doctor's appointment(00:16:43) - The Challenges of Managing a Parkinson's patient's daily living(00:19:45) - Dr. Tony Emmer on Alzheimer's and How to Live With(00:21:50) - What is dementia and Alzheimer's?(00:23:59) - Signs of Alzheimer's Disease, Do I Need to See a(00:27:42) - Dementia 12, Monitoring the disease's progression(00:33:47) - Alzheimer's Disease, early diagnosis, treatment options(00:36:10) - Dementia and how to deal with the disease(00:37:19) - How to Deal with the Alzheimer's Disease(00:40:22) - Dementia risk factors, genetic testing(00:43:31) - A conversation about dementia with Karen's mom(00:49:11) - A Taste of Michael's Life

Andrew and Karin chronicle the journey of Joanna’s entrance, and eventual exit, from assisted living. Senior care facility director Kelleigh Peddy joins them to discuss her experiences with senior living communities and how she helped Joanna’s kids make the decision to move their mom in and, eventually, back to her home. Chapters (00:00:02) - How to Care for a Dementia Patient(00:01:48) - How to Care for an Aging Loved One(00:08:27) - The Accidental Fall That Hurt My Mother's Face(00:16:45) - A Superhero for Senior Living(00:17:46) - A Mother's Love Letter(00:18:30) - Senior Living for Alzheimer's and Dementia Patients(00:22:29) - Should I move my elderly mom straight from rehab to assisted living?(00:28:54) - Bringing an Alzheimer's patient home to live with care(00:36:02) - Dementia affects the caregiver(00:40:51) - Should I move my mom from her home to assisted living?(00:45:59) - Decisions about care for the elderly(00:49:28) - A Caregiver's Journey With Alzheimer's(00:51:44) - A Special Programming Note