Whole Care Network

38 years ago, Claire Sachs' healthcare journey began with a near-fatal illness that put her in a wheelchair for 18 months. This experience evolved into a life that includes balancing 13 chronic and recurring conditions followed by caregiving for her mom. Angry, combative, and frustrated for a long time, Claire didn't want to talk about her personal health story, but that all changed when she was invited to speak about her experience and found her voice and path to Patient Advocacy. Listen in and learn how Claire Sachs is creating Healing Ties all around us!

Through her marvelous book: "The Courage to Care: Being Fully Present with the Dying" Rev. Linda Bryce's mission is to pass on her understandings and show us how to be there at the bedside, fully present with anyone who is dying, and sharing in the mystery and wonder of death—and after.  When there is someone at our side, challenging times become more bearable. Whether it is an unexpected life-ending diagnosis, loss of employment or even of the ability to go places and see people, the presence of another alongside us offers reassurance and a confirmation of our value and membership in a circle of compassion, caring and love. Through the great work of Rev Lind, she is helping us keep love in hearts, because love is music for the soul Listen in and learn how Rev. Linda and the chorus of Bedside Singers are creating Healing Ties all around us!

For more than thirty-five years, Author Susan Ryan has been in roles of non-professional (unpaid) caregiving support for family and loved ones. Through her experience as a family caregiver, (currently navigating her husband’s care with his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease), Susan has moved from feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and yes - sometimes frightened, to confident and balanced navigating the transitions being care receiver, those who support us, and I are on in our journey. As a dynamic and international speaker, Sue's free caregiving tips are a must-have no matter where you are on your caregiving journey. Listen in and learn how Sue is creating Healing Ties all around us!

Zander Keig, MS, MSW, LCSW, and Jennifer Henius, LCSW are caregivers and social workers embarking an ambitious and much-needed project to launch the LGBTQ Caregiver Center as a new online resource hub as part of the Caregiver Wellness Collective Inc, a new nonprofit startup based in greater Tampa Bay, Florida. The LGBTQ Caregiver Center aims to raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by #LGBTQCaregivers and those who care for #LGBTQ individuals, empower LGBTQ Caregivers to live with #pride and #dignity, and serve as a conduit for education, wellness, training, and research. The Center provides information and resources, delivers training and innovative services to enhance the health and wellness of LGBTQ Caregivers. Listen in and learn how Jennifer and Zander are creating Healing Ties all around us!

Jodi O’Donnell–Ames is a professional speaker, wellness and empowerment coach, author, podcaster, and tireless advocate for Lou Gehrig's disease, or ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). Jodi is also the founder and current board member of Hope Loves Company, a non-profit organization committed to providing educational and emotional support to children and young adults who have had or have a loved one battling ALS in their lives. Now on her second career after caregiving has ended, Jodi is helping people change their lives by empowering people to live happily through wellness in body, mind, and spirit. Listen in and learn how Jodi is creating Healing Ties all around us!

Marianne Suicco is a registered nurse, dementia daughter, and author of the novel Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer’s love story. She is also a founding member and manager of AlzAuthors.com, the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer's and dementia from personal experiences. On Alzauthors.com you’ll discover hundreds of inspirational stories which span all Alzheimer’s and dementia stages to off you keen insights and better understandings of this insidious disease. Marianne also hosts and produces the popular Untangling Alzheimer's and Dementia podcast. Listen in and learn how Marianne and the entire team of contributors at AlzAuthors are creating Healing Ties all around us!

What are your priorities when planning for your future care? We conclude Season One of Your Future Self by "Putting It All Together" so you can find your path to Healthy Aging. That's because "Your Future Self is in your control!"

Dr. BJ Miller is a longtime hospice and palliative medicine physician and educator. He currently sees patients and families via telehealth through Mettle Health, a company he co-founded with the aim to provide personalized, holistic consultations for any patient or caregiver who needs help navigating the practical, emotional and existential issues that come with serious illness and disability. BJ has worked in all settings of care: hospital, clinic, residential facility, and home. Led by his own experiences as a patient, BJ advocates for the roles of our senses, community and presence in designing a better ending. His interests are in working across disciplines to affect broad-based culture change, cultivating a civic model for aging and dying and furthering the message that suffering, illness, and dying are fundamental and intrinsic aspects of life. His career has been dedicated to moving healthcare towards a human-centered approach, on a policy as well as a personal level. Listen in and learn how BJ and t

Award-winning author Trish Laub’s expertise is derived from the full-time care of her parents, one with Alzheimer’s and one with stage 4 cancer, for whom she delivered the care and end of life they desired. She served not only as a hands-on caregiver but also as the manager of both of her parents’ daily and medical care, as well as their in-home caregivers and overall care team. She has gone on to assist many others through their care journey. Trishs' "Comfort in Their Journey" book series provides the clear, concise, and easily accessible information that she wishes had been available to her. She now leads presentations and workshops and offers consulting services on the subjects covered in the books, and hosts a bi-monthly live radio show A Cup of Comfort™ during which she and her guests talk about everything related to providing dignified care, including sometimes the uncomfortable topics. Listen in and learn how Trish is creating Healing Ties all around us!

What are your priorities when planning for your future care? In this episode of Your Future Self, we introduce you to our Spiritual Pillar of Care, On the Whole Care Network, we understand spirituality can have different meanings for everyone. And we respect and embrace all spirituality. Our spiritual pillar is focused on the entire person, rather a holistic point of view of all the aspects of you that are revealed in your role as a caregiver. Our Spiritual Pillar will demonstrate the healing power of storytelling and how sharing one's story can bring you inner peace and comfort.

Dr. Hsien Seow and Dr. Samantha Winemaker have worked their entire careers helping those who are facing serious illnesses. For years, they often heard patients and families say they felt unprepared and overwhelmed. Despite years of education, research, and advocacy, they continued to hear patients and families say “Why didn’t anyone tell me that sooner…” They started the Waiting Room Revolution movement because they wanted to improve the patient and family illness experience. They wanted to educate …and build a community to share deeply human stories about caring for others.  Because Palliative care shouldn’t be a scary word. Listen in and learn how Hsien and Sammy are creating Healing Ties all around us!

What are your priorities when planning for your future care? In this episode of Your Future Self we introduce you to our Financial Pillar of Care, which features special guests, The Caregiver Attorney, Amanda Singleton, and her husband Ryan Singleton who is a Consumer Affairs attorney from Singleton Legal Financial stress is overwhelming and can impact your overall well-being. Assessing the long-term financial impact of caregiving is critical. Reduction or loss of income and increased healthcare costs often go hand-in-hand with caregiving. Ideally, financial plans were made by your loved one in anticipation of a need for long-term care, however, that is not the norm. Our Financial Pillar is filled with real-life stories and expert advice to help you put a plan in place that will keep your financial pillar level and strong. Download Your Future Self Financial Care tips from Singleton Legal for this episode HERE

Ellen Prober Rittberg is an award-winning journalist whose humorous essays and features have appeared in the NY Times, HuffPost, Reader's Digest, and other major platforms. After being a caregiver to her mother for six years and realizing even though as an attorney she'd represented senior citizens for many years and had written reports and recommendations for judges on other cases, she felt overwhelmed and largely clueless when she began caregiving. From her personal and professional experience ….Ellen wrote Why is Grandma Naked? Caring for Your Aging Parent….in a practical and humorous way because of her belief that all caregivers are stressed to some extent, and humor can lighten the burden.  Listen in and learn how Ellen is creating Healing Ties by sharing her story and special humor in a practical and humorous way because of her belief that all caregivers are stressed to some extent, and humor can lighten the burden.

LGBTQ seniors are among the most important and rapidly growing segment of our community. Understanding LGBTQ history can help us be better caretakers and advocates for LGBTQ older adults. Our guest, Amy Whelan has been a Senior Staff Attorney at the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) since 2011 and works on NCLR’s full range of litigation, policy, and public education work. Amy litigates complex civil cases around the country regarding marriage equality, employment discrimination, Title IX, family law, access to healthcare, prisoners’ civil rights, the First Amendment, and other constitutional matters. Amy and the entire staff at NCLR keenly understand the special needs of the LGBTQ community, especially our LGBTQ seniors and their caregivers. Listen in and learn how Amy and the National Center for Lesbian Rights are creating Healing Ties all around us!

Susie Singer Carter is a writer/director/producer who has an intense passion for projects that emphasize girl power of all kinds - for all ages. Above all that... Susie is an extraordinary caregiver too! Featuring the late great Valerie Harper, Susie's critically acclaimed film…My Mom and the Girl is based on her true story of caring for her Mom, is a heart-warming, uplifting film that gives an unexpected and joyous look at Alzheimer's, diversity, and caring. Listen in and learn how Susie is creating Healing Ties through her Love Conquers Alz podcast and awarded winning film My Mom and the Girl.

What are your priorities when planning for your future care? In this episode of Your Future Self we introduce you to our Social Pillar of Care. All too often, and unnecessarily, caregiving is a lonely undertaking for you and your loved one. Over time and all too often, caregiving breeds isolation. Loss of social outlets and limited interactions with family and friends are common which can lead to depression and despair. While caregiving can be hard, there are great joys too. Our Social Pillar will provide you with the tools to help you stay connected to your hobbies, your friends, and family and how to create a care team to help alleviate some of the caregiving burden and maintain those vital social ties. Download Your Future Self Social Pillar of Care tips for this episode HERE

What are your priorities when planning for your future care? In this episode of Your Future Self, we introduce you to our Physical Pillar of Care. The Physical Pillar is often most prominent because it is usually a physical ailment of a loved one that results in you becoming a caregiver. Unfortunately the focus on addressing the physical needs of your loved ones causes you to ignore your own physical needs, limiting your ability to manage your stress and provide optimal care. Self-care is easier said than done, however self-care is not selfish, it's a priority and our goal is to help you plan for your future care by allowing you to make self-care a priority in your life. Download Your Future Self Physical Pillar of Care tips for this episode HERE MO8BjvLnGDICSIqAoRmT

Elissa Lewin is a licensed psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, who has been in practice over 30 years, and she’s the Founder and Executive Director of Nancy’s House. Nancy’s House is a program designed to break the isolation and exhaustion that can come with being a family caregiver. The program evolved from Elissa’s own experience as a “serial caregiver”. Nancy’s House is a unique program in the US. It combines rest and nurturing with self-care skills, connection and support for caregivers in 1-day and 3-day retreat. Throughout the episode you'll learn about all the wonderful programs available at Nancy’s House, the annual conference (virtual this year) on Saturday, Nov 6, and bi-weekly informal call-in support groups. Listen in and learn how Elissa and the entire staff at Nancy's House are creating Healing Ties

At any age, a dementia diagnosis is difficult to grasp... But a dementia diagnosis at age 42? This episode of Healing Ties features special guest David Benedetto who shares his important story about being diagnosed with Early Onset Dementia at 42 and Dementia Care expert Gary Joseph LeBlanc from the Dementia Spotlight Foundation . Listen in and learn how David and Gary are inspiring other and creating Healing Ties by sharing their stories and critical resources to help those with faced with this diagnosis be better prepared for their own personal journey.

Monica Stynchula and Christopher MacLellan team up again for another informative podcast series to introduce you to the Whole Care Network's 4 Pillars of Care by asking you one simple question: How do you want to be care for as you age? By planning now, successful aging is in your control! xRv7wxWvKq5dNUiN4zBU