Care Giver Life with Dignity Podcast

Just Don't Pay It - What to do with Medical Bills Medical bills can often arrive unexpectedly. What is this for? Why is it so much? How am I going to afford this? These are the questions that arise from a surprise bill. In this episode Fran and Sue urge you to pause before paying the bill and provide advice on how to lower or maybe even eliminate the bill.  This is a production of Habanero Media.  

The Role of Hospitalists for Care Giving #56 Many people have a primary care physician that they see on a regular basis. But hospitalized patients see another type of primary care physician – a hospitalist. In this episode, Fran and Sue discuss the role of a Hospitalist and the services they provide to aid caregivers.    This is a production of Habanero Media.  

Planning for Adult Disabled Children Parents of adult disabled children are faced with a daunting responsibility. In this episode, Fran and Sue reveal the challenges parents face and provide solutions that will give their children the highest quality of life.  This is a production of Habanero Media.    

Beware of Elder Scams In this episode Pat sits in for Fran and asks Sue all about elder scams, scams that target older adults with the intent to steal their money. This includes phone scams, online scams, dating scams, and strangers at the door. But not only strangers, the elderly need to be skeptical of family and friends, too. All of this we cover. Give it a listen.  This is a production of Habanero Media.  

Elderspeak is way of talking to older adults that sounds like baby talk. Examples include using terms like Honey, Sweetie, and Dearie. Fran and Sue share stories, examples and the harm done by elderspeak. This is a production of Habanero Media.  

What to Expect When Moving Into Assisted Living #52 Moving to an assisted living facility can be a big transition. In this episode Fran and Sue share advice on how to ensure a smooth and comfortable move. First it's essential caregivers pack wisely and bring along essential items that will help the new resident easily settle into their new home. From personal belongings to practical necessities, this episode covers all bases when moving. This is a production of Habanero Media.  

How to Advocate Health Care For Loved Ones #51 Get up, stand up, stand up for your loved one's health rights. In this episode Fran and Sue share advice on how to move beuracracies and persuade fearful staff to provide the best healthcare for your loved ones.  This is a production of Habanero Media.  

Senior Living Options #50 In this episode Fran and Sue answer questions from their podcast producer Pat Helmers regarding the various options available for Senior Living.  This is a production of Habanero Media.  

In this episode Fran and Sue discuss a touchy topic  for the elderly; blended marriages. When a new spouse is significantly older, it raises the chances of them getting ill or passing before the other, and conflict with the spouse's children. These kinds of hazards need to be considered. Give it a listen. This is a production of Habanero Media.  

Care Plans: What When and Where #48 In this episode Sue and Fran discuss the need to have a plan of care for family members. Care Plans contain objective goals, strategies, and outcomes commonly reviewed quarterly for skilled care nursing homes or yearly for assisted living homes. Care Plans ensure accountability and should be considered a must. Listen here to learn more.   This is a production of Habanero Media.  

Pets and Older Adults #47 Pets are great. But do they make sense for order adults who struggle to take care of themselves? Fran and Sue discuss the challenges and rewards. Caregiver Life with Dignity Podcast Sue Salach-Cutler and Fran Piekarski co-host on the challenges caregivers face when helping their loved ones. Each episode is committed to ensuring caregivers, and those they care for, live a life with dignity, no matter their mental or physical state. Fran and Sue advocate for listeners in a system that grows more complicated year after year. This is a production of Habanero Media.   

Transitioning Into Assisted Living with Anne Marie Davidson #46 In this episode, Anne Marie Davidson visits Sue and Fran for a discussion on the challenge aging adults face regarding their needs and preferences for retirement living. There are many housing options from which to choose. In this conversation, Anne Marie considers care options, lifestyle choices, financial, and geographic considerations. This is a production of Habanero Media.  

Why Caregivers Must Advocate For Themselves #45 In this episode, Fran and Sue talk about why it's crucial to stand up for yourself, especially for caregivers who face a lot of responsibility. Caregivers often overlook their own needs, whether it's about time, energy, or medical expenses. Sue shares a dramatic story about an accident involving her and her husband, and how they advocated for themselves in terms of care and expenses. Tune in today to hear more. This is a production of Habanero Media.  

Why Setting Boundaries Is Essential to Care Giving In this conversation, Fran and Sue highlight how important it is for caregivers to set boundaries. Caregivers have many responsibilities, which can take up a lot of their time, money, and emotional energy. To stay strong and healthy, it's crucial for caregivers to establish clear limits. They'll discuss how caregivers can do this in today's episode. This is a production of Habanero Media.  

How To Know if Your Lifestyle is a Fit for the Future In this episode Sue and Fran challenge the listeners to reflect on their current lifestyle and assess if it's still a good fit for the future. Does your home ownership and current social circles still make sense? That's the topic for today.  Caregiver Life with Dignity Podcast Sue Salach-Cutler and Fran Piekarski co-host on the challenges caregivers face when helping their loved ones. Each episode is committed to ensuring caregivers, and those they care for, live a life with dignity, no matter their mental or physical state. Fran and Sue advocate for listeners in a system that grows more complicated year after year. This is a production of Habanero Media.   

Celebrating the Holidays While Caregiving With the holidays upon us, it's a moment for caregivers to pause, reflect,t and take advantage of the opportunity to spend quality time with family, and friends while making special the time spent with those we care for. Fran and Sue share advice that any caregiver will find value during the holiday bustle.  This is a production of Habanero Media 

Family Dynamics - How to Avoid Drama   Drama is often hard to avoid when a family is stressed with sickness and disease. Fran and Sue delve into this challenge with advice, rules, and stories of how to best deal with and avoid families hurting the ones they love most.    This is a production of Habanero Media 

How To Recognize the Right Level of Care Have you ever wondered how to determine the level of care that your family member needs; where they should be cared for and how long? That's the topic Fran and Sue discuss in this episode.     This is a production of Habanero Media.   

Adult Services with Margo Vesely In this episode, Fran and Sue interview Margo Vesely who shares her life journey into adult services, and then they discuss various caregiving opportunities available for the community.  This is a production of Habanero Media.

Strategies for Moving Your Loved Ones #38 Caring for an elderly loved one and moving them to a new home can be a challenging task. Start with a plan: Develop a detailed plan for the move, including a timeline, budget, and a list of tasks that need to be accomplished. Identify any specific needs or preferences your elderly loved one may have regarding their new home. Communicate: Keep open lines of communication with your elderly loved one throughout the process. Include them in decision-making and listen to their concerns and preferences. This can help alleviate any anxiety they may have about the move. Declutter and downsize: Help your loved one go through their belongings and decide what to keep, donate, or discard. This can be an emotional process, so be patient and empathetic. Remember to give them enough time to sort through their possessions. Enlist help: Don't hesitate to ask for help from friends, family, or professional moving services. This can reduce your workload and help you focus on providing emotional support to your loved one. Ensure safety: Prioritize safety in the new living environment. Install grab bars, non-slip mats, and good lighting to minimize the risk of falls. Make sure any necessary medical equipment is easily accessible and in good working order. Create familiarity: To help ease the transition, recreate familiar spaces from their previous home in the new environment. Arrange furniture and personal items in a similar way to help your loved one feel more at home. Be patient: Moving can be a stressful experience, especially for the elderly. Give your loved one time to adjust to their new surroundings and provide emotional support as needed. Establish a routine: Help your elderly loved one establish a daily routine in their new home. This can provide structure and a sense of stability. Stay involved: Continue to provide support after the move, whether it's helping with daily tasks, accompanying them to appointments, or simply spending quality time together. Seek professional support: If your loved one requires additional support, consider hiring professional caregivers or exploring other resources such as adult day care programs or support groups. Remember, every situation is unique, so adapt these tips to best suit the needs of your elderly loved one and your caregiving role. This is a production of Habanero Media