Caregivers Circle Stephanie Erickson

When someone we love has Alzheimer’s disease we want to do anything to provide the support and love that he or she needs and deserves.  At the same time, watching someone with this disease takes its toll on a caregiver who can sometimes feel stuck.  This week’s guest, Judith Levy occupational therapist and author of Activities to Do with Your … Read more about this episode...

Alzheimer’s disease is probably the biggest fear people have about aging.  Most of us fear losing our ability to recognize our children or to remember where who we are.  Are all signs of cognitive loss indicative of a progressive disease?  Is there a magic recipe to prevent cognitive losses?  Is it a superfood?  Exercise?  Medication?   This week I speak with … Read more about this episode...

Most of the time when we hear the term caregiver we think of an adult child taking care of an aging parent.  But there are 5.5 million military caregivers across the United States, with nearly 20 percent caring for someone who has served since 9/11.  This week’s guest, Rajeev Ramchand, an Epidemiologist at the RAND Corporation and the author … Read more about this episode...

How can we protect ourselves and our aging relatives from financial abuse?  What are the risk factors of being financially exploited?  What are some behaviors that serve as warning signs that a senior is at risk?  What are the steps individuals can take to protect themselves or to intervene if abuse is suspected?  Ben Neiburger, Illinois-based Elder Law attorney … Read more about this episode...

Rarely are families prepared fully for the challenges of aging.  Housing changes, illness, home care support – there are many ways in which families must be ready financially.  Jeff Motske, financial planner and the author of Banking on Us: The Couple’s Guide to Financial Compatibility and I discuss the proactive steps you can take to ensure that your family … Read more about this episode...

Health care costs, co-payments, deductibles, denied insurance claims, HMO, PPO, Affordable Care Act – AHHH!  How can anyone know what is best for themselves and their families when it is all so confusing?  In Part 1 of our two part interview, Michelle Katz, LPN, contributor to ABC news and the author of 3 books, Healthcare for Less,  101 Health … Read more about this episode...

Health care costs, co-payments, deductibles, denied insurance claims, HMO, PPO, Affordable Care Act – AHHH!  How can anyone know what is best for themselves and their families when it is all so confusing?  In Part 1 of our two part interview, Michelle Katz, LPN, contributor to ABC news and the author of 3 books, Healthcare for Less, 101 Health … Read more about this episode...

When individuals hear the words “palliative care” panic sets is as they think they are being told they have a terminal illness.  Dr. Bree Johnston MD, Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington and the Director of Palliative Care for the PeaceHealth System clears up the misconception of what palliative care is and how this type of support … Read more about this episode...

No matter what a person’s current physical, cognitive or mental health challenges may be, they are still able to communicate and engage with their inner self and with those around them through music.  This week’s guest, Michael Rossato-Bennett, the Writer, Director and Producer of ALIVE INSIDE – winner of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award for U.S. Documentary discusses … Read more about this episode...

Do you find that when you’re driving home from a doctor’s visit you realize you forgot to mention your biggest concerns?   Do you become annoyed feeling like your loved one’s doctor doesn’t spend enough time with your loved one during the examination?  Do you ever wonder how you can communicate effectively with your loved one’s doctor without violating their privacy?  … Read more about this episode...

There are millions of vulnerable individuals who are unable to care for themselves due to advance memory losses, severe mental illness, intellectual disabilities and even as the result of an accident. There are legal processes that can be initiated to assist an individual with financial, personal and health matters. But legal guardianships/conservatorships are not always what they seem to be. … Read more about this episode...

How often are you confronted with dissatisfaction about the level of care or services you or your loved one receives in a hospital, long term care facility or in another health care setting?  When you speak up are your concerns heard or do they fall on deaf ears?  Amy Fish, author of The Art of Complaining Effectively  and long-term care … Read more about this episode...

When you meet a friend for coffee, strike up a conversation with a colleague, or wave hello to a neighbor on your street, you really have no idea as to what their internal struggles may be.  Mental health is something that can be concealed easily.  Those who grapple with mental health and its impact on their lives do not wrestle … Read more about this episode...

“My mom has Dementia.”  “My dad has Alzheimer’s.”  Okay.  I get it.  But WHO is your mother?  WHO is your father?  Our society has become diseased focused.  We are forgetting that there are human beings right in front of us with feelings, fears and love.  Yes, these emotions may appear to be locked inside but they are there and not … Read more about this episode...

Caroline Seyedi, knows about round the clock caregiving.  She is an autism interventionist and communication and behavioural specialist. She is also an internationally accredited Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).   Most importantly, Caroline has first-hand experience in the world of autism as she is a parent of an autistic child.  Listen to this week’s show as Caroline helps us understand … Read more about this episode...

Charles Sabatino, Director of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Law and Aging and professor at Georgetown University Law Center defines the most commonly used legal documents everyone must have to prevent confusion, conflict and unnecessary stress for families should an aging crisis arise.  He will offer tips on which documents to draft, how to choose a representative and how … Read more about this episode...

Caregiving can be exhausting.  We long for a break in our routines yet feel guilty when we take one.  Marcia Jarrel, owner of SarahCare will discuss the benefits for seniors and their caregivers of adult day centers. She will provide tips on what to look for in a center and offer suggestions for families on how to assist their loved … Read more about this episode...

Caregiving impacts all aspects of our lives: financial, emotional, spiritual and of course, our family relationships.  Editor in chief of AgingCare.com  Anne-Marie Botek, discusses a recent survey of 3,200 caregivers and the issues they highlighted that impact their lives.  The episode focuses on the impact on family relationships and the ways in which we can approach our aging parents to … Read more about this episode...

Caregiving does not just describe an individual caring for a senior.  In fact, about 15% of children between the ages of 3 and 17 have some type of developmental disability.  What is a developmental or intellectual disability?  What happens to these children over time?  How does support and assistance change?  Laura Kennedy, President of NYSARC, Inc. which is the largest … Read more about this episode...

Many of us worry about the safety of our parents or other aging relatives when they are driving.  Some of us refuse to get in a car with an aging relative for our own safety!  Is driving ability related to age?  Are there some illnesses or disabilities that limit our ability to drive safely?  Susan Sofer, occupational therapist, discusses driving … Read more about this episode...