Whole Care Network

Caregiving is a reflection of your love. All that you do for your loved one (often unappreciated), and all the mistakes you feel you made by trying to be a better caregiver. The times you resist the urge to fix your loved one’s problems. That is your Valentine Story. In this podcast of Toula’s Tips for Caregivers, my guest shares her Caregiver Valentine Story with you. Terri Barton, CEO of Aging True, Inc, also cared for her husband, Bill, for five years, until his death in 2019. In the podcast, she shares her Valentine Story about those times and the lessons she learned. Terri explains why she is so appreciative of being given that time as Bill’s caregiver. She also admits that she made mistakes. She learned that it was important for to make Bill feel as independent as he could be. She also recognized that it was important for her to take time for herself, through diet, exercise and time away. In this Month of Love, highlighted by Valentine’s Day, Terri’s Caregiver Valentine Story will inspire you a

Daniel C. Potts, MD, FAAN is a neurologist, author, poet, educator, and champion of those living with Alzheimer's and other dementias and their care partners. His professional life collided with his personal in 2002, when his father, Lester, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He soon found himself on his own dementia journey, and like many other care partners, became adrift in despair, confusion, grief, and helplessness as he watched his father decline. Soon after Lester started attending a day care program for people with cognitive impairment, he began to show a previously unknown talent for painting watercolors. This not only delighted him and his family but also others at the center, and he obtained some local notoriety for his colorful artwork. Not long after, Daniel’s own creativity with words emerged, and his poetry became a necessary outlet to release his sorrow over his father’s illness. The transformations he and Lester experienced through their work inspired him to create his foundation, Cognitive Dy

Today’s guest is Florrie Munat, author of the memoir “Be Brave: A Wife’s Journey Through Caregiving,” in which she shares the story of caring for her husband, Chuck, during their 6-year ordeal with Lewy Body disease due to an ischemic stroke. "Be Brave" was selected as one of the Top 100 Indie Books of 2017 by Kirkus Reviews, who described it as, "A beautiful, richly panoramic book that should reassure caregivers and delight memoir readers." Already a published author when their journey started, Florrie began chronicling their new story right away with honesty, humor, compassion, and a desire for self-discovery. After Chuck succumbed to complications from Lewy Body disease, she sifted through her random notes, journal entries, and written observations and wove them into this moving memoir, a tribute to a loving marriage tested by unanticipated and transformational challenges. Florrie is the author of numerous children’s books, nonfiction articles, short stories, and poems. She worked as a reference and youn

In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, meet Bob Rowland. Bob cares long distance for his 84 year old mom along with the support from his siblings. Bob has been in the health care space for over 30 years and talks about a medication management service that may be available for your loved one and help simplify your caregiving life. Bob has also been implementing small healthy habits and lost 60 pounds in 2020 and was able to get off a few of his personal medications.

Matt visits with nurse and author Jan Dougherty for travel strategies when dementia impacts a family. Visit the Show notes: http://bit.ly/Ep_35_Travel

Today’s guest is Krysten Lindsay Hager, who writes funny, charming, irresistible dramas for tweens and teens. Her stories are about friendship, self-esteem, fitting in, frenemies, crushes, fame, first loves, and values. She also writes about dementia, especially Lewy Body, in the teen novels “Competing with the Star,” a Readers' Favorite Book Award Finalist, and “Dating the It Guy.” Krysten’s experience with dementia started in her sophomore year in high school when her grandfather was diagnosed with “hardening of the arteries.” She helped her parents provide care for him, which affected her college years and led her to write “Competing with the Star.” Many years later her father was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia which inspired “Dating the It Guy.” In this episode we discuss why fiction is an excellent medium for educating teens about serious topics, why Robin Williams’ story helped her understood her father’s illness, how the vulnerability of dementia affects loving relationships, and the positivity t

Jean Lee is a co-founder and director of AlzAuthors. and author of the brave, inspirational memoir "Alzheimer’s Daughter," written from a journal she kept during her years of caring for both parents diagnosed with Alzheimer's on the same day. At the time, she was working full-time as an elementary school teacher and took over their care. Throughout her caregiving years she experienced the heartbreak, confusion, and exhaustion common to all dementia caregivers. Readers of her deeply personal and painfully written memoir travel a journey beginning with a sweet WWII romance through family life, aging, and a daughter’s first suspicions that something’s not right with Mom and Dad, ending with her parent’s final breaths. “I wrote the book I needed to read while caregiving for my parents,” she says. "Alzheimer’s Daughter" is a beautiful but poignant tribute to her parents and a source of support for caregivers everywhere. Jean is also the author of a delightful series of children’s books based upon the family dogs:

In today’s podcast, I speak with Leeza Gibbons, author, entrepreneur, Emmy-winner, pop culture icon and former caregiver. Leeza was thrust into the world of Alzheimer’s when her mother was diagnosed in 1999. Throughout her journey, she observed the many challenges of caregiving and the importance of caregivers taking care of themselves. She created Leeza’s Care Connection, a non-profit organization to offer support to family caregivers by providing support groups, educational workshops and wellness activities.

I invited my 21 year old daughter Natalie on the show. In this episode, we talk about what our family caregiving situation looked and felt like from her perspective as a teenager and young adult (I shed just a few tears...). We also talk about college, self-care, and we each take turns sharing our '21 for 2021' lists....essentially what we are planning to do to have more FUN in 2021!

If you go to the hospital alone, you have to advocate for yourself. Here are tips for how to prepare and what to do when you are in the hospital to make sure you get the best possible care.

You are not alone in your caregiving role. I know. You hear me say that all the time. That is why I introduce new people who are here to help you. In Northeast Florida, there is another MAJOR PLAYER for caregivers and seniors like you. Aging True is a non-profit, charitable organization that enables seniors to stay home and be independent. In this podcast, I talk with Megan Taylor, Care Transitions Program Manager, about all the services that Aging True is providing to support seniors and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meals. Household items. Counseling. RESPITE. Home Health aides. RESPITE (yes – I said it twice. You need a break). Their Caregiver support program assists clients and/or caregivers in crisis. Aging True has a legacy of providing concern, compassion and care for seniors and caregivers. Megan and the Care Transitions Program team have been at the forefront of helping seniors and caregivers during the pandemic. You can learn more about Aging True and their programs by visiting

Robin Perini is an award-winning author of heart-stopping suspense and poignant romance novels. When not writing she works for an advanced technology corporation. When not writing or working she helps care for her mother who has Alzheimer’s and lives just across the street with Robin’s father. An advocate for Alzheimer’s education, Robin has woven the topic into two of her novels, “Forgotten Secrets” and “Forgotten Legacy,” books one and two in her Singing River Series. Her goal was to both entertain and educate her readers about the disease, and to raise needed funds for the Alzheimer’s Association. She happily donates a portion of the royalties from these books to the organization. As a writer, Robin is devoted to giving her readers fast-paced, high stakes adventures with a love story sure to melt their hearts. Her strong characters and tightly woven plots made her a seven-time Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® finalist. In 2011, she won the Golden Heart®, and that title became her first Harlequin

No matter one's age, misusing medications and other household items can be dangerous. Amanda Ruback from the Missouri Poison Center provides essential information and tips to help keep us (and our loved ones) safer in our homes. Topics we discuss include: Polypharmacy; Multiple Medications; Household Chemicals; and much more. Watch this video, to get the national 800 number that will connect you to your local poison center - available 24/7 - staffed by pharmacists and/or nurses.

Michael Ellenbogen was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's at the age of 49. Prior to his diagnosis, Michael was a network operations manager for a Fortune 500 financial institution until difficulty with work-related tasks led to an unwanted early retirement. He is a passionate, outspoken dementia advocate who pulls no punches. In this episode we discuss the trials of seeking a medical diagnosis, living with early onset Alzheimer's, and his advocacy work that brought him to the halls of Congress and the World Health Organization. As a world-renowned International Dementia Advocate and Connecter, Michael has been featured in nationally syndicated TV, radio, and other media outlets. He has written for blogs, newspapers, journals, and websites. He served on the Pennsylvania Alzheimer's Disease Planning Committee and other advisory councils. He was a regular speaker at the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care and Services and has been featured in the Alzheimer's Disease International's 2012 Worl

My latest podcast is because I care for you. I share this message with you every year – Take Care Of Yourself, especially during the holidays. ESPECIALLY DURING THIS COVID-19 PANDEMIC. My podcast is the recording of my presentation during the Caregiver Coalition of NE Florida’s recent webinar. I talk about how you can be COPING WITH THE HOLIDAYS. I share some important information and advice. This year I discuss extra precautions we are asked to take (and should follow) to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the COVID-19 virus. I wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. I look forward to working together with you (and, hopefully, seeing you in person again) in 2021.

Our special Holiday edition of Healing Ties features the soothing words of Author and Psychotherapist Loren Gelberg-Goff. Loren shares her story about losing her husband and son this year, while finding comfort in remembering them during the Holidays. When life transitions, recognizing our grief and talking about our love for the person you are missing, is one of the steps in our healing process that helps you take back your life. No matter what faith base you are coming from, the Holiday Season is intended to be a joyful time for everyone. This is an upbeat conversation, filled with real life stories, about a taboo topic that is often swept under the table. Listen in and learn how Loren Gelberg-Goff is creating Healing Ties all around us!Happy Holidays everyone!

Our special Holiday edition of Healing Ties features the soothing words of Author and Psychotherapist Loren Gelberg-Goff. Loren shares her story about losing her husband and son this year, while finding comfort in remembering them during the Holidays. When life transitions, recognizing our grief and talking about our love for the person you are missing, is one of the steps in our healing process that helps you take back your life. No matter what faith base you are coming from, the Holiday Season is intended to be a joyful time for everyone. This is an upbeat conversation, filled with real life stories, about a taboo topic that is often swept under the table. Listen in and learn how Loren Gelberg-Goff is creating Healing Ties all around us! Happy Holidays everyone!

Are you wondering about what objective driving assessment is available to test your loved one's abilities? Sometimes it takes such an assessment to help him or her see their limitations. Join Matt and Larry as they discuss this option to driving retirement. Show notes forthcoming!

Karin Murphy, bereavement and grief counselor, and I discuss the challenges of dealing with grief while caregiving - whether it’s anticipatory grief, the difference between grief and depression or how judgment plays into grief, Karin offers practical strategies we can use to help us cope on a daily basis.

Lisa Skinner is the author of "Not All Who Wander Need Be Lost,," a caregiver guide full of real-life stories and practical advice. Her dementia journey started when she was a teen and her grandmother displayed bizarre behaviors, diagnosed as senile dementia. At the time, resources for families were practically nonexistent and she dedicated her life to becoming an advocate and ally for those on the dementia path. She has witnessed 8 family members succumb to Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and with her husband served as a “relief caregiver” for his mother. She also provided dementia care for her beloved cockapoo, Oliver, who was diagnosed with Canine Dementia. Professionally, she is a Behavioral Specialist devoted to helping families understand the stages and related behaviors that are associated with dementia illnesses. She considers her career in elder care a calling and has more than 25 years’ experience starting up memory care programs, counseling patients and their families on dementia care, trainin