Navigating the World with Your Aging Loved One

When her husband was diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration at just 29, Katie Brandt's life changed overnight. What began as confusion and heartbreak became a lifelong calling to transform how we see, support, and study dementia. Today, Katie is the Director of Caregiver Support Services and Public Relations at the Massachusetts General Hospital Frontotemporal Disorders Unit, and the Founder & CEO of Katie Brandt Advocacy. In this conversation, we talk about what it means to become a "caregiver detective", the quiet observer, the record keeper, the advocate who pieces together the truth when something feels off. We explore how early and accurate diagnosis brings dignity, how research becomes more human when it includes caregiver voices, and why supporting caregivers isn't just compassionate, it's strategic. Katie shares the lessons she's learned through love, loss, and leadership, and how her belief that "love will end FTD" continues to guide her work and the families she serves.   To buys tickets and learn more about A Night with the Arts for FTD, an annual gala featuring the Sermos Memorial Art Show, benefitting the clinical research program in the MGH Frontotemporal Disorders Unit. Visit HERE. The MGH Frontotemporal Disorders Unit hosts From Care to Cure podcast. Listen HERE. Thank you to our Sponsor Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Comedian Kelsey Cook, known for her specials on Hulu and YouTube, opens up about her personal journey as a caregiver for her mom with Frontotemporal Dementia. In this heartfelt conversation, Kelsey shares the early signs she noticed, the trauma of crisis care, and the challenges of supporting her mom from a distance. She reflects on how humor has been a lifeline, how advocacy became part of her purpose, and why community connection matters now more than ever. Follow Kelsey and check out her work and podcast! https://www.kelseycook.com/   Thank you to our Sponsor Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers.   We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com    

When caregiving became her world overnight, Andrea Suchin's life changed forever. Her husband was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia at 54, leaving Andrea to navigate full-time caregiving while raising four children. Sleepless nights and overwhelming stress became her reality. Out of that journey, Andrea and her sister created Wuggle™, a deep touch pressure sleep cap designed to bring calm and restorative rest. In this episode, Andrea shares her story of resilience, the creation of Wuggle™, and how better sleep can transform the caregiving journey.   To learn more about Wuggle here: http://www.wuggleme.com/ Thank you to our Sponsor Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers.   We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather

At 85, Jean Ketcham is just getting started. As the bold voice behind Aging But Dangerous, Jean reminds us that aging isn't about the body, it's about the soul. In this lively conversation, we talk about skydiving, style, friendship, caregiving, and yes, even vibrators. With her signature sass, fearless honesty, and contagious energy, Jean shows us how to embrace every year fully confident, empowered, and unstoppable. To connect with Jean and learn more visit https://www.agingbutdangerous.com/   Thank you to our Sponsor Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. Creating engaging, dementia-friendly video content to reduce anxiety, spark memories, and provide meaningful moments of connection for individuals living with cognitive challenges and their caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.   We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit https://www.willgatherpodcast.com/ 

When Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) entered their lives, everything changed for Nanci Anderson and her daughters, Lindsay Early and Emily Anderson. In this conversation, they open their hearts about the long and confusing road to Gary's diagnosis, the challenges of caregiving, and the deep grief of watching someone you love slip away too soon. They also share the turning point, when they chose to honor Gary by creating Gary's FUB Team and raising awareness through advocacy and community. This is a story of heartbreak and resilience, of carrying love forward, and of finding purpose in the face of loss.   And here's where you can step in. Gary's FUB Team is hosting their annual fundraising event, September 22nd, to benefit AFTD. This is an evening filled with community, storytelling, and hope. Every ticket, every donation, every act of support moves us closer to better care, greater awareness, and the possibility of ending FTD. If you'd like to attend, contribute, or simply stand alongside families like Nanci and Lindsay's, you can visit garysfubteam.simpletix.com. Whether you show up in person or from afar, your support matters more than you know! Connect with Gary's FUB Team on Instagram and Facebook @garysfubteam To learn more about The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration visit https://www.theaftd.org/   We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather   Thank you our sponsor, Zinnia TV. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.

Most people think aging is about endings. Familiar Touch shows us it's about beginning again. In this episode, filmmaker Sarah Friedland, actress Kathleen Chalfant, executive director Shaun Rushforth, and resident Jean Owen of Villa Gardens, take us behind the scenes of this award-winning film that reimagines aging, dementia, and caregiving through dignity, creativity, and collaboration. A must-listen for family caregivers and senior living advocates. We go behind the scenes of Familiar Touch—filmed at Villa Gardens, a Front Porch Community. What does it mean to open your doors, your story, and your heart to a film crew? How do you protect dignity while embracing creative risk? And what happens when older adults shift from being passive recipients of care to powerful co-creators? We talk about everything: boundaries and trust, storytelling and memory, leadership in senior living, and how art can reimagine what aging and caregiving really look like—rooted in love, dignity, and the belief that every person deserves to be seen and why this film needs to be shared. Familiar Touch gives family caregivers a rare gift: the chance to see their own journey reflected with honesty and grace, reminding them that they are not alone. The small moments of transition. The weight of goodbyes. The quiet strength of starting over. Filmed on location at Villa Gardens in Pasadena with residents as cast and crew, Familiar Touch offers an authentic, collaborative portrayal of aging and caregiving. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival, winning three major awards, and will be released in U.S. theaters on June 20, 2025 by Music Box Films. Learn more about the film at https://www.familiartouchfilm.com/   Thank you to our sponsors: HeroGeneration empowers caregivers and families by providing innovative resources, education, and support to navigate the challenges of aging and caregiving with confidence and connection. It's free to start. Join now HERE. Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.     We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Last year, I had the privilege of joining as a Jury member, award presenter, and speaker. Meeting changemakers and those that reshaping aging care around the globe brings hope to our future, and we still have work to do! I left inspired by the global momentum to rethink how we support aging populations. Every conversation, every connection, reminded me that "Care and love are universal." In this episode, I share a glimpse into our time last year and re-share my interview with the founder, Jerome Pigniez. He shares  about The SilverNight Awards, and the SilverEco & Ageing Well International Festival is an event that unites global leaders to celebrate and advance the cause of aging well. From Paris to Tokyo and now Cannes, this festival has grown to become a gathering for those dedicated to making a difference. This international festival is a premier event that brings together experts, innovators, and passionate individuals from around the world, dedicated to improving the lives of older adults.   If you're looking to: Spark meaningful partnerships Inspire and be inspired Elevate your work and your network Deepen your impact alongside global leaders Build global connections across sectors Learn from leading voices in aging and eldercare Showcase or discover innovations making real impact Celebrate those who care—with heart and vision   …then SilverEco 2025 is the place to be. If you work in aging, caregiving, agetech, innovation, or healthy longevity—this is your invitation.   🌍 SilverEco & Ageing Well International Festival 2025 📅 October 20–21, 2025 📍 Cannes, France🔗 silvereco.org And yes—submissions are open now for the 2025 SilverEco Awards. Register HERE: https://silvereco.org/pass/subscribe-festival/?scr=25wg767iv Learn more HERE: https://www.silvereco.org/festival/en/contact-us/?scr=25wg767iv   Thank you to our Sponsors HeroGeneration empowers caregivers and families by providing innovative resources, education, and support to navigate the challenges of aging and caregiving with confidence and connection. It's free to start. Join now HERE. Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. Creating engaging, dementia-friendly video content to reduce anxiety, spark memories, and provide meaningful moments of connection for individuals living with cognitive challenges and their caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.   We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

What if your deepest caregiving experience became the blueprint for changing the system? Dr. Francesca Falzarano was just 14 when her mother was diagnosed with dementia—an experience that shaped not only her identity, but her life's work. Now an Assistant Professor of Gerontology at USC and founder of the Falzarano Family Caregiving Lab, Francesca is studying the full arc of caregiving—from diagnosis to grief. In this conversation, she shares how personal loss inspired a research mission, what caregivers actually need (and when), and how technology and storytelling can foster healing and connection. Whether you're a family caregiver, healthcare professional, or someone walking this journey alongside a loved one, this episode is a powerful reminder that research doesn't belong in silos—it belongs in real life.   This episode is made possible by our sponsors: HeroGeneration – offering tools, guidance, and a sense of belonging for caregivers who often feel like they're navigating alone. Zinnia TV – bringing calm, joy, and meaningful moments to people living with dementia and the ones who love them. Use the code GATHER20 for 20% off your annual subscription. Thank you for supporting the heart of this conversation.    We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

What happens when the roles we've known all our lives—daughter, professional, partner—are suddenly eclipsed by one word: caregiver? For so many, caregiving becomes not just a responsibility but an identity. And with that comes the heavy mix of self-sacrifice, emotional resilience, and a quiet grief. But what if there's another way to see it? What if caregiving could be both a deep act of love and an opportunity to hold onto who we are, to grow, and to even rediscover our power? Today's guest, Nikki Nurse, spent 12 years as a full-time caregiver for her mom, who lived with early-onset dementia and Alzheimer's. That journey shaped not only her days but her entire understanding of empathy, resilience, and what it means to care for someone while still caring for yourself. Nikki's story is one of navigating grief, finding emotional respite, and redefining what sustainable self-care looks like—not as a luxury, but as a lifeline for caregivers. In this conversation, we'll explore the truth behind caregiving and self-sacrifice, what sustainable self-care really looks like, and why permission to be seen is a radical act for caregivers. Nikki will share how to navigate grief and guilt, set boundaries, and even break the generational patterns that tell us caregiving must mean losing ourselves. Nikki shares how AI can help caregivers by easing the mental load—automating tasks, offering reminders, and creating space for what really matters: being present and caring without burning out. We'll also talk about reclaiming confidence, embracing resilience, and the small, powerful ways caregivers can give themselves flowers—every day.   Follow and connect with Nikki at http://www.alogcabininbrooklyn.com/ and follow her  HERE. Listen to her podcast with CARE-isma HERE. Thank you to our Sponsors HeroGeneration empowers caregivers and families. It's free to start. Join now HERE. Share your caregiver story HERE! Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.     We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

What caregiving really asks of us—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. What happens inside us when we're called to care for someone we love? Beneath the to-do lists and the sleepless nights lives an unspoken truth: caregiving changes us. It can strip us down, reshape our identity, and ask us to find meaning in all of it. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Barry J. Jacobs—a clinical psychologist, family therapist, and longtime caregiver himself. He's the author of The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers and the upcoming AARP Caregiver Answer Book. Barry brings decades of insight into what it really means to show up for others while trying to hold onto yourself. We talk about the emotional toll of caregiving, the guilt that lingers, and the loneliness that can come when no one sees what you're carrying. Barry shares real, practical ways to manage anxiety, protect your identity, and build resilience. We also explore what a truly supportive healthcare system could look like—and how caregivers can begin to advocate for themselves. This is an episode for anyone in the thick of it, anyone who's quietly unraveling and rebuilding, and anyone who just needs to hear: you're not alone.     Thank you to our sponsors! HeroGeneration empowers caregivers and families by providing innovative resources, education, and support to navigate the challenges of aging and caregiving with confidence and connection. It's free to start. Join now HERE. Share your caregiving story HERE!        Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. creates engaging, dementia-friendly video content to reduce anxiety, spark memories, and provide meaningful moments of connection for individuals living with cognitive challenges and their caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.     We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

We're told that aging is about loss. About slowing down. About limits. But what if we've got it all wrong? In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Charlotte Yeh — a trailblazer in healthcare, a former emergency physician, and now the Chief Experience Officer at Cherish. With over three decades of experience, including former Chief Medical Officer at AARP and now Yeh Innovation, Charlotte brings a deeply human perspective: that aging can be a time of growth, connection, and purpose. Together, we explore the myths and truths around getting older. We ask: how can we shift the narrative from decline to vitality? From isolation to community? From fear to intention? Dr. Yeh shares profound insights on emotional well-being, the quiet epidemic of loneliness, and how technology — when used wisely — can measure what really matters. This is a conversation about agency, resilience, and how we can all age not just gracefully, but powerfully. Because aging isn't something that happens to us — it's something we can choose to do with meaning. Thank you to our sponsors: HeroGeneration – Empowering caregivers and families with free tools, resources, and a supportive community to navigate aging with confidence and connection. Sign up HERE. Zinnia TV – A therapeutic platform for dementia care, offering calming, connection-centered video content. Use code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription. Sign up HERE. 

U.S. News & World Report announced its 2025 Best Senior Living ratings, naming 1,894 communities based on 450,000+ survey responses. In this episode, Liz Pearce, Product Director for Senior Living, joins us to share how the rankings are created, what families should know, and how these ratings help older adults and caregivers find trusted, compassionate senior living options nationwide. Learn more about U.S. News & World Report HERE.    Thank you to our Sponsors HeroGeneration empowers caregivers and families by providing innovative resources, education, and support to navigate the challenges of aging and caregiving with confidence and connection. It's free to start. Join now HERE. Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.   We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

What do we do when someone we love says no to the very thing we believe will help them most? When care is met with resistance, it can feel frustrating and heartbreaking—especially when dementia is part of the story. In this episode, we unpack the topic of refusals of care in dementia: why they happen, what's really behind the resistance, and how we can respond with more compassion and less fear. Joining me is award-winning dementia care educator Adria Thompson, founder of Be Light Care Consulting. With over nine years of experience as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, Adria shares practical strategies for decreasing refusals of care through communication, environment, and truly knowing the person behind the diagnosis. We recorded this conversation at the Silver Eco Festival in Cannes, France, where Adria was recognized internationally for her work and we spoke on a panel together with Dementia Darling, Carrie Aalberts.   Whether you're a professional or family caregiver, you'll walk away with insights you can use today—and a renewed sense of hope. Thank you to our sponsors: HeroGeneration – free tools and support for caregiving families. Join HERE. Zinnia TV – meaningful moments for dementia care. Use code GATHER20 for 20% off HERE.   Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

What if the people we care for had the microphone? What if—before we create another policy, schedule a medication, or make assumptions about what's "best"—we paused and simply asked: What do you want? How does this feel? What matters most to you today? In a world where caregiving often centers on doing for, we sometimes forget the power of simply being with. This episode is an invitation to slow down and listen to the voices that often go unheard—the ones on the receiving care.   Today, I'm sharing a conversation that is deeply personal and one that I've been wanting to have for some time. I sat down with four incredible residents from the Trails of Orono, an Ebenezer assisted living community. Mike D is 88 and carries stories from a rich life full of meaning. Gary J, who just turned 86 on March 30th, brings warmth and wisdom to every word. Marie H celebrated her 103rd birthday on March 27th—yes, 103!—and Lucia A, at 93, offers reflections that are both grounded and generous. These conversations aren't about statistics or systems. They're about humanity—what it feels like to age, to receive care, to be seen, to be missed, to be remembered.   You'll hear about their life, what brings them joy, how they feel well cared for and what it feels like to transition to being cared for. We talk about dignity, loss, autonomy, surprise, and love. And we ask the question at the heart of it all: How can we truly care well for people if we don't know what they are thinking, feeling, and needing? These voices—Mike, Gary, Marie, and Lucia—are the heartbeat of this episode. It's my hope that by listening to their stories, we'll become better listeners, better caregivers, and better humans.   Thank you to our Sponsors HeroGeneration empowers caregivers and families by providing innovative resources, education, and support to navigate the challenges of aging and caregiving with confidence and connection. It's free to start. Join now HERE. Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. creates engaging, dementia-friendly video content to reduce anxiety, spark memories, and provide meaningful moments of connection for individuals living with cognitive challenges and their caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.   Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Thank you to our sponsors HeroGeneration and Zinnia!    What would you do if someone you loved needed care—and the system meant to help only left you feeling more lost? When Christie Stukenholtz set out to find care for her grandmother, she never imagined the overwhelming maze she'd have to navigate. No clear answers. No trusted guide. Just frustration. That experience lit a fire in her—and from it, Senior Care Finder was born. We explore: What families really need when facing senior care decisions How to quickly find trusted care options without the overwhelm The untold burden of the "sandwich generation"—and how to manage it Why transparency and access are reshaping the caregiving landscape Whether you're stepping into a caregiving role or supporting someone who is, this conversation will leave you informed, empowered, and inspired by what's possible when purpose meets innovation.   Thank you to our Sponsors HeroGeneration empowers caregivers and families by providing innovative resources, education, and support to navigate the challenges of aging and caregiving with confidence and connection. It's free to start. Join now HERE. Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. creates engaging, dementia-friendly video content to reduce anxiety, spark memories, and provide meaningful moments of connection for individuals living with cognitive challenges and their caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.   We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

In this episode, we sit down with Norman Harris, a licensed nursing home administrator, founder of Comfort Measures Consulting, and host of The Let's Get Comfy Podcast. His journey started at just 8 years old, volunteering in nursing homes with his grandmother. Now, he's on a mission to revolutionize elder care, advocate for caregivers, and inject energy, purpose, and fun into an industry that desperately needs it. Norman shares: ✅ The power of advocacy in healthcare and why caregivers need champions ✅ How to make caregiving "cool" and elevate healthcare professionals as leaders ✅ The challenges families face in senior care—and how to navigate them ✅ His journey from business to finding purpose in care This conversation is for anyone navigating healthcare decisions, working in caregiving, or looking for inspiration on leading with heart.    Thank you to our Sponsors HeroGeneration empowers caregivers and families by providing innovative resources, education, and support to navigate the challenges of aging and caregiving with confidence and connection. It's free to start. Join now HERE. Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. creates engaging, dementia-friendly video content to reduce anxiety, spark memories, and provide meaningful moments of connection for individuals living with cognitive challenges and their caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.     We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com    

What happens when the people who raised us, cared for us, and shaped our lives suddenly need us to step in and care for them? For many, caregiving doesn't arrive as a sudden, clear-cut role—it sneaks in gradually. At first, it's just helping with a few things here and there. Then, one day, you look up and realize you've become a caregiver. Today, we're talking about what it means to step into this role as well as balancing our own lives while ensuring our loved ones receive the care they need. Joining me are two women who know this journey firsthand. Nicole àBeckett spent over eight years as a caregiver for both of her parents—supporting her father through cancer and serving as the primary caregiver for her mother, who battled a debilitating lung disease. She admits that, at the time, she didn't even recognize herself as a caregiver. It was just what she did for family. Alongside her personal caregiving experience, Nicole is a seasoned tech entrepreneur with two decades of experience in scaling startups. She's turning that same energy toward solving challenges in caregiving. Dr. Shruti Roy is a mom of three and a pediatrician who has spent years supporting families in emergency and urgent care settings. But when the care of her parents became part of her reality—her father diagnosed with Parkinson's and her mother managing an autoimmune condition—she quickly realized how broken and unsupported the system is for family caregivers. Like many, she was thrown into the role without a roadmap, and that experience fuels her determination to help others. Today, we'll talk all about the lessons they've learned, the gaps they're working to fill, and the ways we can all be better prepared for the caregiving road ahead. Caregiving often arrives unnoticed. Nicole àBeckett & Dr. Shruti Roy share personal stories, challenges, and solutions for navigating the caregiver journey. Don't miss this episode and learn how you can find the support you need. Learn more about HeroGeneration HERE.   Thank you to our Sponsors HeroGeneration empowers caregivers and families by providing innovative resources, education, and support to navigate the challenges of aging and caregiving with confidence and connection. It's free to start. Join now HERE. Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. creates engaging, dementia-friendly video content to reduce anxiety, spark memories, and provide meaningful moments of connection for individuals living with cognitive challenges and their caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.   We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com 

Caregiving is one of the most profound acts of love—but it can also feel isolating, overwhelming, and uncharted. My guest today is Carlos L. Olivas III, an advocate for Alzheimer's caregivers and mental health awareness. His journey is deeply personal—rooted in the love and care he provides for his father, who is living with Alzheimer's. In this episode, we talk about the meaningful layers of caregiving—the mental toll, the lessons in resilience, and the unexpected ways it changes us. We talk about what it means to find strength in community, navigate this journey as a male caregiver, and how art has given both him and his father a way to process, express, and hold onto something real. Carlos has transformed his experience into a mission, serving on California's Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Advisory Committee, working with organizations like Caring Across Generations and the Alzheimer's Association, and using art as a way to foster connection and healing. As a docent at Artbeat Gallery in Sacramento, he proudly shares his father's artwork. Carlos is also an esteemed member of We Are HFC's Care Squad, bringing raw honesty, empowerment, and deep empathy to the caregiving community. Carlos's story is being shared far and wide—he is featured in Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer's, premiering on PBS Independent Lens on May 5, offering an intimate look at the emotional and physical toll of caregiving while highlighting the resilience and love that define this experience. He is also featured in Well Beings Caregiving, a powerful series produced by Bradley Cooper, that brings attention to the lived realities of caregivers. Through storytelling, advocacy, and art, Carlos is making sure that caregivers everywhere feel seen, heard, and supported.   Thank you to our Sponsors HeroGeneration empowers caregivers and families by providing innovative resources, education, and support to navigate the challenges of aging and caregiving with confidence and connection. It's free to start. Join now HERE.   Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. creates engaging, dementia-friendly video content to reduce anxiety, spark memories, and provide meaningful moments of connection for individuals living with cognitive challenges and their caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.   Connect with Carlos via social media, interviews, podcasts and resources:   https://linktr.ee/charlierobot     We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com    

Thank you to our sponsor, Zinnia TV, a therapeutic dementia care platform to support caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.   I have felt called not to speak for others, but to listen, to learn, and to help share the voices that too often go unheard. I want to amplify the voices of those who have lived the experience, who remind us that life doesn't end with a diagnosis. Through willGather, I've been privileged to meet extraordinary people—care partners, advocates, and those living with dementia—who are actively shaping what it means to live with dementia. Their voices, their wisdom, and their experiences matter. I'm drawn to the work of the Dementia Action Alliance (DAA). Their guiding principle, "Nothing About Us Without Us," isn't just a phrase—it's a movement. It's about listening, about real advocacy, and about making sure that every person living with dementia has a seat at the table. Too often, a diagnosis is handed down like a sentence, with little guidance beyond, "Go home and prepare for the worst."  But that's not the full story. There is another way. A way that prioritizes dignity, advocacy, and community. Today, I'm honored to sit down with a panel of extraordinary individuals who are not only living with dementia but are reshaping the future of how we understand it and who refuse to let their diagnosis define them. Laurie Scherrer, Jack George, Monica Downer, and Tim Perkins each bring a unique perspective—facing the shock of diagnosis, the roller coaster of emotions, and the daily realities of life with dementia. Beyond each of their challenges, they've found resilience, purpose, and community. From advocacy work to artistic expression, from research participation to daily problem-solving, their journeys reveal the power of adapting, growing, and redefining what's possible. So, let's step into their world, and listen with open hearts. To my panel, thank you for your advocacy and for joining me! To learn more and donate visit:  https://daanow.org/   Thank you for supporting and listening to our podcast. Please follow along and subscribe for updates.   Visit https://www.willgatherpodcast.com/ to learn more about our guests, become a sponsor and connect with us.     

Today, we're giving you a sneak peek into Gather Darlings, my other podcast with the amazing Carrie Aalberts, aka Dementia Darling! This space is all about heartfelt conversations, real-life caregiving, and the deep connections that keep us going. In this episode, we sit down with the wonderful Veronica Shanklin, a full-time caregiver and founder of Dementia Care Warriors, who is bringing light, love, and community to caregivers. We talk about the realities of caregiving, filming Wine, Women, and Dementia with Kitty Norton, managing burnout, finding balance, and yes—even dating while caregiving! Veronica is a dedicated full-time caregiver who has been taking care of her mom and late grandmother for over a decade. Living her best life in Chicago, she finds herself coming home to visit her mom, who was caring for her grandmother. Discover how her experiences led her to create the non-profit, Dementia Care Warriors and bring light and love to younger caregivers while disrupting the space with new ways to bring the community together.  We celebrate the spirit of hope and community of Dementia Care Warriors. Listen to how they are creating an open space for education, support, and resources. Join us for this special Gather Darlings episode, and if you love these conversations, make sure to follow along for more! Listen to Gather Darlings HERE.   To learn more and donate visit:  https://www.iamacarewarrior.org/   Listen to our episode HERE. Thank you to our sponsor, Zinnia TV, a therapeutic dementia care platform to support caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.   We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.   Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com