Caregiving Club On Air: Recent Episodes
Sherri Snelling
This podcast is dedicated to the millions of family caregivers who want wellness tips and self-care solutions, who seek expert advice, and who want news about healthy aging on how to fuel our bodies and brains, and how to bring wellness design into our forever homes.
Welcome to our 2ND June episode of “Caregiving Club On Air” podcast (S6, Ep 72) hosted by Sherri Snelling, corporate gerontologist, author and CEO of the Caregiving Club.
On this episode we are highlighting June’s Employee Wellness Month and specifically focusing on employees who are also caregivers with Melissa Fisher of Kaiser Permanente, who is both a caregiver and an advocate for caregivers at work.
Currently 63 million Americans are caring for an adult loved one – persons over age 18 – and 7 in 10 are also juggling job responsibilities. In the workplace, 1 in 5 employees are also family caregivers of adults and if you add children then 1 in 3 employees are caring for loved ones of all ages. Many of these are what we call the “Sandwich Generation” caring for children while simultaneously caring for older parents or grandparents and all while achieving this balancing act while working.
Sherri was recently on a panel discussion hosted by the National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) for employer HR executives on caregiving in the workplace and met fellow panelist, Melissa Fisher of Kaiser Permanente. She asked Melissa to come on the podcast to talk about her personal caregiver journey while working – caring for parents, a beloved aunt and also parenting her children. Her insights on what is needed from employers is important for all employees but especially those who are also family caregivers.
Sherri and Melissa discuss:
· How employers can support caregivers – what benefits or programs Melissa found most helpful but also what she wished you had access to
· Her workplace plus Sandwich Generation experience led Melissa to start “Care Partner Care” at Kaiser Permanente – she tells us about this program and how it helps caregivers in their workplace
· Sherri mentioned that some caregivers feel that going to work is a respite break from the challenges and burnout of caring for a loved one – it gives the caregiver back a sense of control they don’t experience in caregiving. Melissa agreed and explained her thoughts on how work can be a haven
· When it comes to workplaces and employees who are caregiving – Sherri and Melissa discuss what they hope to see change in the workplace over the next 5 years when we will have more parents than children to care for in this country.
WATCH THE PODCAST HERE: https://youtu.be/f18NsRsSxn0
Thank you for making “Caregiving Club On Air” #3 on the list of top 80 caregiving podcasts!
Subscribe on your favorite listening channel or our YouTube channel. Learn more on our episode guide page on the Caregiving Club website: caregivingclub.com/podcast/
Take care and stay well!
Welcome to our June episode of “Caregiving Club On Air” podcast (S6, Ep 71) with host Sherri Snelling, a corporate gerontologist, author and CEO of the Caregiving. In this episode Sherri highlights the 8th Annual National Day of Joy on June 24 including new survey results of caregivers and older adults in my interview with Joni Magnus-Ramsey of Comfort Keepers.
On this episode Sherri talks to Joni about the 2026 survey of more than 2,000 family caregivers and older adults:
• 92% of respondents say caregiving brings both joy and emotional strain – how do you find the balance and silver linings in caregiving?
• What types of activities bring caregivers joy as opposed to their older loved ones – what joy do they seek?
• As a caregiver, how do you ask for and accept help without feeling guilty?
• If your older loved one does not to bring help into the home, how do you help them to see it is not just them – you need help too
More than 100 Comfort Keepers offices will be celebrating #NationalDayofJoy on June 24 with special activities to help lift the human spirit of their clients. Join in on the celebration! WATCH THE PODCAST HERE: https://youtu.be/rKUEMD2Nvxk
Thank you for making “Caregiving Club On Air” #3 on the list of top 80 caregiving podcasts!
Subscribe on your favorite listening channel or our YouTube channel. Learn more on our episode guide page on the Caregiving Club website: caregivingclub.com/podcast/
Take Care and Stay Well!
Welcome to our 3rd May episode of “Caregiving Club On Air” podcast (S6, Ep 70) hosted by Sherri Snelling, corporate gerontologist, author and CEO of the Caregiving Club. On this episode we are highlighting May’s Mental Health Awareness Month with Jerri Clark, Resource and Advocacy Manager for the Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC) helping those with severe mental illness (SMI) and their families. Sherri talks to Jerri about the 23.4% of the U.S. adults living with mental illness – up from 3-5% prevalence from the 1960s. We may be better at diagnosing, and we may have removed some of the stigma of these brain diseases and neurodivergence, but the solutions and support for these individuals and their family caregivers is still woefully lacking. TAC takes on this support and advocacy role for those with severe mental illness (SMI) – such as the schizoid spectrum and bi-polar disorder – and Jerri explains how the challenges for these individuals and their families can be daunting. We discuss: •What to do if a loved one has anosognosia•How many physicians give family caregivers “HIPAA handcuffs” once a loved one with SMI becomes an adult – and where various states have different ages of health information consent•The effect of cannabis on teens and mental health•How a holistic treatment approach is needed – including a team of neurologists, psychologists or psychiatrists, nutritionists and other experts to explore different solutions that work better than our current state: incarceration, homelessness, 24/7 family caregiving duties•We also discuss Jerri’s book, “Gone Before Gone – When Mental Illness Steals Someone You Love” – not just a personal memoir but a guide for other parents and family members of those with SMIThank you for making “Caregiving Club On Air” #3 on the list of top 80 caregiving podcasts!Subscribe on your favorite listening channel or our YouTube channel. Learn more on our episode guide page on the Caregiving Club website: caregivingclub.com/podcast/Take care and stay well!
Welcome to our 2ND May episode of “Caregiving Club On Air” podcast hosted by Sherri Snelling, corporate gerontologist, author and CEO of the Caregiving Club. On this episode we highlight both May’s Older Americans Month and National Home Modification Month with Sean Fitzgerald, President of TruBlueAlly, a home modification service dedicated to helping older adults live at home as long and safely as possible.On this episode Sherri talks to Sean about how of the 100 million homes in the U.S. only 1% have universal design features. Sherri calls this “Peter Pan Home Syndrome” – homes built for people who would never grow old. Sean explains how TruBlue Ally is helping to change this so older adults can live in their homes longer, safer and healthier. •Why it is essential to hire experts for ADA and universal design elements, such as grab bars, rather than a typical handyman, and what changes are needed in the bathroom - the #1 place for updates•Why many home modifications for older adults are orchestrated (and sometimes paid for) by adult children family caregivers •What critical modifications are uncovered with TruBlue Ally’s 75-question assessment•What are their Home Maintenance plans and how this help family caregivers•Innovative ways to cover home modification costs for older adultsThank you for making “Caregiving Club On Air” #3 on the list of top 80 caregiving podcasts!Subscribe on your favorite listening channel or our YouTube channel. Learn more on our episode guide page on the Caregiving Club website: caregivingclub.com/podcast/Take Care and Stay Well!
Welcome to one of our May episodes of “Caregiving Club On Air” hosted by Sherri Snelling, gerontologist, author and CEO of the Caregiving Club. On this episode we highlight both May’s Older Americans Month and National Travel & Tourism Week (May 3-9) with Debbie Dotson, the Ageless Adventurer and senior travel expert. On this episode Sherri talks to Debbie about: •How airlines are accommodating older passengers and even some “Dementia-Friendly Airport” design pilot programs in the U.S.•What to know about traveling with an older adult for air travel, cruises and rail travel. •Since Debbie is also an AgeTech expert, we ask her about her favorite travel apps for older travelers. •Also, what helps caregivers traveling with an older loved one – how to plan ahead and what to know before you go!Thank you for making “Caregiving Club On Air” #3 on the list of top 80 caregiving podcasts!Subscribe on your favorite listening channel or our YouTube channel. Learn more on our episode guide page on the Caregiving Club website: caregivingclub.com/podcast/Take Care and Stay Well!
Welcome to our April episode of “Caregiving Club On Air” hosted by Sherri Snelling, gerontologist, author and CEO of the Caregiving Club. We are highlighting two things happening in April on this episode: National Month of Hope and National Stress Awareness Month. Our guest for this episode could not be more perfect – Keith Saggers is the creator of NeuroFire, a neurobehavioral performance system for individuals and groups, and author of the upcoming book, “The Law of Hope.” We discuss the neuroscience of stress and how we function under the pressures and stressors that continue to hit the nervous system. Sherri and Keith also discuss how hope isn’t a feeling; it’s a trainable biological driver and how to go from the emotional aspect of hope to physical action. There is also a concept from Keith’s book on neuroscience vs. niceness that Sherri was fascinated to explore. These insights are focused on family caregivers dealing with stress and living with hope but anyone will benefit from the insights Keith delivers.Thank you for making “Caregiving Club On Air” #3 on the list of top 80 caregiving podcasts!Subscribe on your favorite listening channel or our YouTube channel. Learn more on our episode guide page on the Caregiving Club website: caregivingclub.com/podcast/Take Care and Stay Well!
Welcome to our March episode of “Caregiving Club On Air” I’m your host – Sherri Snelling, gerontologist, author and CEO of the Caregiving Club. We are celebrating Brain Health Awareness Week March 16-20 by focusing this episode on the exploration of how our brains work in relation to one of our five senses: our sense of smell. As many of you know, my book ME TIME MONDAY was based on how our 5 senses affect brain health and function. When our senses are enhanced, we are building better brain performance while also reducing risk for chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, by lowering inflammation and oxidative stress that have been shown to accelerate brain aging. Joining us is one of the most noted researchers on this area, Dr. Michael Leon, Professor Emeritus of the University of California at Irvine (UCI). His vast years of research are focused on neuroscience and disorders and diseases of the brain from autism to Alzheimer’s. His special expertise is in the interaction of the olfactory or sense of smell and how it can stimulate the brain for healthier outcomes.Dr. Leon is also one of the co-creators of a wellness home product, Memory Air, which aids in better sleep health and memory improvement through scent and aromatherapy.Thank you for making “Caregiving Club On Air” #3 on the list of top 80 caregiving podcasts!Subscribe on your favorite listening channel or our YouTube channel. Learn more on our episode guide page on the Caregiving Club website: caregivingclub.com/podcast/Take Care and Stay Well!
In this February episode, Sherri Snelling, gerontologist, author and host of the “Caregiving Club On Air” is discussing the mysterious case of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year old mother of TV host, Savannah Guthrie, who was apparently abducted from her home. Because this case highlights safety for older adults living alone, the health implications of older adults under stress and the role of AgeTech in home safety, Sherri interviews two experts to help us understand and unravel this mystery and use it as an opener to have conversations with older parents and grandparents about their own health and home safety. (10:18) Dr. Tina Sadarangani – Asst. Professor NYU, geriatric nurse and creator of Englightened Caregiver and CareMobi app – Dr. Tina enlightens us about the health issue for older adults in stressful situations – increased heart rate, anxiety, dehydration, mobility challenges and more that we do not always think about. We also talk about the use of technology as both a health aide and a home safety tool. We explore the tech tools that the medical community feels are helpful including Dr. Tina's CareMobi app. And, finally how do we have the talk with older loved ones about their safety at home? Is this case a kickstarter to those family conversations – Sherri and Dr. Tina discuss how to use frightening news headlines as lessons learned without increasing anxiety of those living alone. (34:38) Abbie Richie – Tech Guru at The Smarter Service – Abbie has been an expert in the world of AgeTech for many years as a TV host, radio host, podcast host and serving as the Tech Guru for The Smarter Service. This tech concierge service helps older adults living in senior living communities as well as those living at home – especially the solo agers. Abbie provides insights into the tech that Nancy Guthrie was using – Apple Watch to synch with her pacemaker, Google Nest home surveillance cameras, smartphone – what do we need to know and what other tech tools or alternative gadgets may also help us keep older loved ones safe at home – Abbie shares her top list. And we end with a discussion around tech and privacy - what we should know to provide trust and confidence for our older loved ones in their tech tools.For our podcast listeners who are familiar with our Caregiver Wellness News and Well Home Design News as well as what is happening in the workplace for employees who are also caregiving as part of the Sandwich Generation – we are moving those news segments to our new “Caregiving Club News” program on YouTube. You can catch all the same news, including the latest research news, resources and pop culture we have previously done on our podcast now on our news channel – and it’s all free! All we ask is that you subscribe to us on YouTube as well so you get the bi-weekly news updates and all of our other education caregiving content.Thank you for making “Caregiving Club On Air” #3 on the list of top 80 caregiving podcasts!Subscribe on your favorite listening channel or our YouTube channel. Learn more on our episode guide page on the Caregiving Club website: caregivingclub.com/podcast/Take Care and Stay Well!
Sherri Snelling, gerontologist, author and host of the “Caregiving Club On Air” podcast is kicking off the first episode of Season 6 with two great interviews. For this January episode we will focus on Financial Wellness Month with two guest expert interviews from Raymond James financial advisors:(7:50)Emily Treasure – Sr. Manager for Longevity Planning – Raymond James who will talk about the new role financial advisors are playing with clients for comprehensive family financial planning that includes caregiving and long-term care costs. Emily will also highlight a unique program Raymond James has that offers connections to a specially curated group of companies that help caregivers navigate care needs and services – part of the value advisors are adding to their client services(36:20) Margaret Starner – Founder & Managing Director of The Starner Group, part of Raymond James who will speak as a “super ager” who is still going strong in her 80s running her company and advising clients on longevity planning. Margaret will explain what challenges people face after 50 in planning for the next 50 years and how each decade brings new opportunities and decisions. Her secret? Margaret shares how she advises clients to plan for passion, purpose and lifelong learningFor our podcast listeners who are familiar with our Caregiver Wellness News and Well Home Design News as well as what is happening in the workplace for employees who are also caregiving as part of the Sandwich Generation – we are moving those news segments to our new “Caregiving Club News” program on YouTube. You can catch all the same news, including the latest research news, resources and pop culture we have previously done on our podcast now on our news channel – and it’s all free! All we ask is that you subscribe to us on YouTube as well so you get the bi-weekly news updates and all of our other education caregiving content.Thank you for making “Caregiving Club On Air” #3 on the list of top 80 caregiving podcasts!Learn more on our episode guide page on the Caregiving Club website: caregivingclub.com/podcast/Take Care and Stay Well!
For our November Thanksgiving/Holidays episode Sherri Snelling, gerontologist, author and CEO of the Caregiving Club, highlights news and some of the recent studies for National Family Caregiver Month including recent research showing 20 million more caregivers have joined the caregiver volunteer army over the last decade, how men as caregivers are dealing with their mental health and how the Sandwich Generation is challenged with financial resiliency. And since families are gathering for the holidays Sherri shares some insights into how “respitality” can help traveling caregivers but also how caregivers can get a much-needed break during the holidays with respite care. Speaking of self-care, we know the holidays and recent adjustments to Daylight Savings Time on November 2 may negatively impact your sleep health – Sherri shares how your sleep posture tells you about the type of stress you may be experiencing during the hectic holidays.Sherri also provides a sneak preview of Caregiving Club’s 5th Annual Holiday Gift Guide just in time for Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals. And she gives a shout-out to her fellow authors who have appeared on this podcast with books on caregiving, wellness, brain health and longevity for National Author’s Day November 1. We specifically made this podcast a little shorter than most of our episodes so you can have more minutes to focus on you this holiday season. We are grateful for all our podcast listeners and subscribers and to all the nation’s 63 million family caregivers! Happy Thanksgiving!(3:48) – Caregiver Wellness News (29:36) - Well Home Design NewsTake Care and Stay Well!Find out more at: caregivingclub.com/podcast/
In our 2nd October episode we focus on National Work-Family Month and also National Emotional Wellness Month. Host and gerontologist, Sherri Snelling, has two great expert interviews for this episode:1)Jill McNamara – General Manager of Senior Care for Care.com which offers caregiving services including a caregiver marketplace to find in-home care. Jill shares BREAKING NEWS with us: How Care.com has now added care navigation help from senior care experts to not just employer clients but now to individual families as well. Jill also shares the latest research surveys from Care.com on trends in workplace caregiving from both the employer and employee perspective. 2)Chanel T. Rowe, Esq. – Attorney, Author, Coach, Speaker and Caregiver – Chanel provides us an overview of her new book, “Finding Balance: A Devotional to Help Caregivers Move From Suffering to Strength” where she talks about juggling career and caregiving for her mom with a rare disease, and how her faith helps her on her journey.For CAREGIVER WELLNESS NEWS, Sherri reviews:oNational Work-Family Month – Sherri talks about caregiver wellness in the workplace and how some brain health or “brainspan” programs are trending as the newest emotional health services employers are usingoSherri also talks about “Ageism Awareness Day” (Oct 9) – What is ageism and what does it mean for employers and employees? Sherri also provides insights into a new role for employers – a growing new trend in hiring Chief Longevity Officers or Chief Gerontology Officers and how this will change not just workplaces but products, services, communities and homeoAnd, since October is Halloween month, Sherri highlights two topics that made us think of spooky or scary aging and caregiving issues: Zombie Cells and Cog Fog. She shares how to combat them both and whether blue methylene is good for your brain health?In WELL HOME DESIGN NEWS, Sherri covers:oA new study showing couples who live together have a stronger mental health connection – which can be good and bad. It also demonstrates how environmental and social wellness (our homes and relationships) can impact our emotional health.oOctober is also Long-Term Care Planning Month so Sherri pivots into one of the 7 wellness elements from her ME TIME MONDAY book with a look at Financial Wellness. AARP’s recent survey shows solo agers, especially older women, are at great financial risk. Sherri offers some long-term care planning resources to help older adults and family caregivers find out what can help for future financial resiliency. (4:37) – Caregiver Wellness News (26:07) Interview with Jill McNamara – Care.com(53:02) – Interview with Chanel T, Rowe, Esq. – Attorney, Author and Caregiver(1:29:41) - Well Home Design NewsTake Care and Stay Well!Find out more at: caregivingclub.com/podcast/
In our 1st episode for October, host and gerontologist, Sherri Snelling, has two great expert interviews to share:1)Justin Boogaard – Co-Founder and CEO of GoGoGrandparent. We’re celebrating October National Rideshare Month with Justin! You’ll learn how this rideshare company has created a concierge service specifically designed for older adults and how the services are expanding into other delivery and care needs into the home. 2)Marty Stevens-Heebner – Author, CEO of Clear Home Solutions and Founder of AgeWise AllianceMarty shares insights for October’s National Emotional Wellness Month on how adult children can help their older parents downsize, identify clutter from hoarding (a mental health issue) and move into a smaller space or a senior living community.For CAREGIVER WELLNESS NEWS, Sherri focuses on National Train Your Brain Day on Oct 13 including why brain games do not create the neuroplasticity of brain exercises and what is the difference? Also tips on brain health hacks and insights from our friends at brainHQ. Since October is also National Positive Thinking Month and National Gratitude Month Sherri shares news of a new online matchmaking tool where older adults are paired with younger adults with a mission to mentor and build resiliency with age. Also, studies on how gratitude impacts both physical and mental health. In WELL HOME DESIGN NEWS, Sherri talks about a new trend in home design that helps older adults and family caregivers” 5 Senses Design. This trend taps into the Neuro Design that Sherri has talked about in her upcoming book, THE SNUG HOME. She provides tips and insights as to why this type of home design support mental and emotional health all for October’s National Emotional Health Month. (4:18) – Caregiver Wellness News (28:56) Interview with Justin Boogaard – GoGo Grandparent(1:08:07) – Interview with Marty Stevens-Heebner – Clear Home Solutions(1:44:01) - Well Home Design NewsTake Care and Stay Well!Find out more at: caregivingclub.com/podcast/
Sherri Snelling, corporate gerontologist and “Caregiving Club On Air” podcast host, has a different kind of episode for August – while celebrating August National Wellness Month and August 6th National Friendship and Aug 15th National Relaxation Day, she is also commemorating August 9th National Booklovers Day with the launch of her new book this month, ME TIME MONDAY – The Weekly Wellness Plan to Find Balance and Joy for a Busy Life.
Sherri takes this episode to answer the Top 7 questions from followers of her GoodReads page about her new book. She weaves in the social wellness of friendships and relaxation while sharing her inspiration while writing the book. Questions included: Q: What is your new book, ME TIME MONDAY, all about? Q: What inspired you to write your new book, ME TIME MONDAY? Q: You say you write your books for family caregivers but ME TIME MONDAY seems like a book that could benefit any adult? Q: You say ME TIME MONDAY will help readers “Marie Kondo” their lives – can you explain? Q: You talk a lot of about microflows or “baby steps” as a key part of ME TIME MONDAY – how does that work? Q: What is the magic behind Monday in ME TIME MONDAY? Q: You also talk about how the book is based on neuroscience coming together with nature – tell me more about that?
The episode wraps up with a “Happy Birthday to Rosalynn Carter,” a pioneer in caregiving whose 96th birthday is August 18, and a special appearance from Penny for National Dog Day on August 26th. And, as always, we end the episode with a Me Time Monday Wellness Hack on how friendships increase our wellness and 3 tips on how to find relaxation. Find out more at: caregivingclub.com/podcast/ and caregivingclub.com/me-time-Monday-book/
Sherri Snelling, corporate gerontologist and “Caregiving Club On Air” podcast host, kicks off July National Sandwich Generation Month featuring an interview with Alexandra Drane, Co-Founder and CEO of Archangels, which provides insights and tools on family caregiving including the Caregiver Intensity Index to determine your emotional health score.
In Caregiver Wellness News Sherri shares the latest research from her book, Me Time Monday – The Weekly Wellness Plan to Find Balance and Joy for a Busy Life including information about forest bathing to celebrate National Forest Week July 10-16 and July also being National Self-Care Month. Sherri will also highlight Richard Lui’s latest documentary on caregiving and mental health, “Unconditional.”
Sherri also gives a Happy Birthday shout-out to friend, Norman Lear, TV showrunner icon who is turning 101 on July 27.
In Well Home Design News, Sherri highlights her recent article on what to plan for when older parents move into your home – one of the conversations the Sandwich Generation encounter: the 3Ps of Prevention, Privacy and Personalization.
The episode wraps up with a Me Time Monday Wellness Hack especially for July 4th Independence Day with the Caregiving Club’s “Caregiver Bill of Rights.” Find out more at: caregivingclub.com/podcast/
Sherri Snelling, corporate gerontologist and “Caregiving Club On Air” podcast host, has three great interviews for this episode beginning with Rachel Francine and Andy Tubman, co-founders of SingFit, who talk about music, brain health and Alzheimer’s for June’s National Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness Month as well as June 21 World Music Day.
Sherri’s second interview is with Saudia Gajadhar, Chief Happiness Officer with Comfort Keepers, who will talk about National Day of Joy on June 28 and the results of Comfort Keeper’s new survey on what makes older people happy.
In Caregiver Wellness News Sherri shares the latest research from her book, Me Time Monday – The Weekly Wellness Plan to Find Balance and Joy for a Busy Life. It includes tips on green exercise and brain health. Sherri also talks about the actor Bruce Willis and his recent frontotemporal dementia (FTD) diagnosis and how to care for our dads for Father’s Day. In Pop Culture, Sherri shares her playlists for World Beatles Day (June 25) and the Beach Boys (International Surf Music Month).
In Well Home Design News, Sherri highlights June as National Employee Self-Care Month with tips on how to increase brain health and calm in both the workplace and a home office setting.
The episode wraps up with a Me Time Monday Wellness Hack on how music is beneficial for brain health.
Find out more at: caregivingclub.com/podcast/
In this episode, Host Sherri Snelling celebrates the Thanksgiving season along with November’s National Family Caregiver Month.
Special guest for this episode is Dr. Charles Spence, a world renowned gastrophysicist and professor at the University of Oxford. He explains the neuroscience behind musical menus and using sonic seasoning for better nutrition and overall meal enjoyment.
In Caregiver Wellness News, Sherri talks about the latest studies and initiatives on family caregiving as well as how to have the family caregiving conversation and how to create empathy when talking to older parents or grandparents. She also shares several caregiver cookbooks in our Pop Culture segment.
In Well Home Design News Sherri shares how creating “Me Time” spaces at home are the latest home design trend using design that embraces the 5 senses.
As always, we end our episode with our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack that offers our Gratitude Gravy Recipe to support emotional health throughout the holidays.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Host Sherri Snelling continues to celebrate National Family Caregiver Month along with National Alzheimer’s Month and Veteran’s Day in November.
Special guest for this episode is Dr. Eboni Green who is the founder and president of Caregiver Support Services and a noted grief expert. She talks to us about the stages of grief and how to find gratitude.
In Caregiver Wellness News, Sherri also touches on the latest surveys in workplace wellness for employees who are also caregiving, the latest news caregiving and Alzheimer's, and also the great work of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and its Hidden Heroes program providing support for the family caregivers of veterans for Veteran’s Day November 11.
In Well Home Design News Sherri once again celebrates Veteran’s Day sharing news of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation that provides smart homes to disabled veterans and their families and mortgage free homes to the families of veterans and first responders whose loved ones were lost in the line of duty making the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
As always, we end our episode with our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack that recognizes the power of the color purple to provide us with spirituality, creativity and healing.
Host and Gerontologist, Sherri Snelling, kicks off November National Family Caregiver Month, National Family Stories Month and National Author’s Day (Nov 1) with an interview with special guest, noted author Elizabeth Winthrop Alsop. Her new book, “Daughter of Spies,” is about her caregiving journey and uncovering family secrets. This fascinating story takes us inside the life of famous journalist Stewart Alsop and his beautiful British wife, Tish, during World War II and later Elizabeth’s caregiving for her mother who suffered from alcoholism and dementia. She learns both of her parents were spies during WWII and how that shaped their family life. It is an intriguing read and a fascinating interview.
In Caregiver Wellness News, Sherri also reviews traveling with an older loved one this holiday season – some tips and resources and also the new trend in senior travel – Virtual Travel. And she touches upon a new report about employees who are caregiving and their mental health supports in the workplace. For our Pop Culture segment, Sherri shares her list of family caregiver memoirs and books.
In Well Home Design News, Sherri talks about legacies and life stories of our older loved ones with terrific resources to keep those memories alive.
Our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack this episode is on using storytelling to create empathy by walking in someone’s else’s shoes.
Host Sherri Snelling celebrates October National Active Aging and Aging in Place Weeks by talking to two experts using innovative solutions to help older adults to be lifelong learners and gain social health through a new learning platform and how to transform our homes into “forever homes” through universal design.
She first talks to Lawrence Kosick, Co-Founder of Get Set Up, about how an online learning platform keeps older adults emotionally healthy but also provides skills for encore careers.
Then for our Well Home Design News, Sherri talks to national aging in place expert, Rosemarie Rossetti, designer of the Universal Design Living Lab – which happens to be her home in Ohio! Rosemarie’s story is very poignant regarding how a terrible accident led her on a journey to adapt our homes to make it work for whatever physical challenges we may have.
In Caregiver Wellness News, Sherri also touches on October Emotional Health Month and how emotional health is different from mental health. She also talks about what employers are doing to support mental and emotional health in the workplace and a note on finding resiliency and longevity in the life story and recent passing of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. And, we are thinking pink as Sherri acknowledges October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Finally, as always, we end our episode with our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack that recognizes October 13 which is both World Vision Day and National Train Your Brain Day. Our Me Time Monday wellness hack is on how our brains see colors and how chromatherapy – based on color – is another tool for better wellness.
Host Sherri Snelling celebrates September Healthy Aging Month by talking to two experts using entertaining ways to help older adults keep their brains and bodies in shape.
She first talks to neuroscientist Henry Mahncke who is CEO of Posit Science, creators of brainHQ brain exercise programs to enhance cognitive performance. Then Sherri talks to Mark Evin, CEO of Jintronix, an online health platform using gamification to help older adults with rehabilitation and body strength using virtual skiing, soccer and even gardening.
Our bonus interview in celebration of New York and Paris Fashion Weeks this month is with fashion designer, Cara Sumpton, co-founder of Apparelmark and lead designer for the Joe & Bella adaptive clothing line. She will talk about how fashion is ageless and what interested her in designing for older adults.
Sherri also touches on World Gratitude Day September 21 in Caregiver Wellness News and Falls Prevention Week September 18-25 in Well Home Design News.
As always, we end our episode with our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack that plays off our theme of “The Year of Living Colorfully” as we dive into the color psychology of orange which is tied to social health and gratitude. More information, articles and resources mentioned in this episode on: caregivingclub.com/podcast/
Host Sherri Snelling celebrates September 11 National Grandparents Day by talking about two fashion and home design trends that bridge older and younger generations: Coastal Grandmother and Grandmillennial style.
She also talks to financial elder abuse expert, Liz Loewy, Co-Founder of Eversafe, about Grandparent Scams and how to help older loved ones avoid identity theft and other fraud and scams.
And as a passionate supporter of the first responders of September 11 – Sherri recognizes this day as one “We Will Never Forget” with her thoughts on how her grandparents lived through Pearl Harbor and promised never to forget that tragedy and for her generation 9/11 is our day of remembrance.
For Caregiver Wellness News, Sherri talks statistics on grandparents and caregiving and offers some key resources to help care for older loved ones.
For our Well Home Design News, Sherri besides the new design trends talks about September National Emergency Preparedness Month and offers a free webinar for listeners on how families can prepare for natural and other disasters and emergency situations.
As always, we end our episode with our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack that plays off our theme of “The Year of Living Colorfully” as we dive into the color psychology of blue and how it affects well-being. More information, articles and resources mentioned in this episode on: caregivingclub.com/podcast/
Host Sherri Snelling celebrates August National Wellness Month and the August 18th birthday of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter by sharing a previously recorded interview with her. Mrs. Carter, who founded the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, was the first national figure to identify caregiver burnout and the need for emotional wellness. She also tells Sherri how she finds her “me time.”
Sherri also interviews Tia Newcomer, CEO of CaringBridge about the need for caregivers to have social support. CaringBridge helps facilitate the opportunity for caregivers to get a respite break with a little help from family and friends as we also celebrate National Friendship Day on August 8 and National Relaxation Day on August 15.
For Caregiver Wellness News, Sherri talks about ways to find both paid and free respite support and for the Pop Culture segment she also shares her beach reads for caregivers in recognition of National Booklovers Day on August 9 and National Beach Day on August 30.
For our Well Home Design News, Sherri shares exciting news from Pottery Barn and how to stay cool and keep older loved ones hydrated for summer.
As always, we end our episode with our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack that focuses on beating burnout to find better balance and wellness.
More information, articles and resources mentioned in this episode on: caregivingclub.com/podcast/
Host Sherri Snelling shares the latest news for July’s National Sandwich Generation Month about those family caregivers who are caring for two generations simultaneously – younger children and older parents or grandparents. We also offer some tips for caregivers in our Caregiver Wellness News on how to find a little me time and self-care for International Self-Care Day on July 24.
Our inspirational interview this episode is with Steve Nygren, the founder and CEO of Serenbe – one of the top wellness spots to live in the U.S. and a growing trend of neighborhoods built with biophilic design that means “love of life and nature” and which Sherri writes about in her upcoming book, “The Snug Home - A Family Caregiver’s Guide to Well Home Design.”
For our Well Home Design News we provide Summer Travel Tips for the Sandwich Generation – including something you may not know about – respitality – and the latest trend in virtual travel. Sherri explains how it is all about going from “staycations” to “wellcations.”
As always, we end our episode with our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack which captures our 2022 theme of “Living Colorfully.” Sherri talks about the healing, healthful and happy color of green while we also celebrate National Forest Week July 11-18. Learn more: caregivingclub.com/podcast/
June is National Home Safety Month and National Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness Month. Sherri talks to Ken Deering, CEO of iGuard Home Solutions about how to prevent fires in the kitchen especially for our older loved ones who may have dementia.
June 19 is Father’s Day so our Caregiver Wellness segment focuses on the recent news of Bruce Willis and his aphasia diagnosis – helping family caregivers understand what it is and how to know the warning signs. And June 21 is the Longest Day of the Year where we bring you the latest headlines in Alzheimer’s news.
For Pop Culture, June 21 is also the day we commemorate World Music Day. And since June 25 is Global Beatles Day and June is International Surf Music Month Sherri created her playlists of favorite Beatles and Beach Boys tunes with family caregivers in mind.
To end the podcast our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack is on the therapeutic power of music – how it helps us sleep, enjoy our food, be more energetic and bring back memories especially for those with Alzheimer’s.
Learn more at: caregivingclub.com
Season 2, Episode 9 – Calling All Caregivers – Let’s Go Shopping! What’s Your Real Age? Daydreams for Better Health May is both Older Americans Month and National Small Business Month where we spotlight two start-up businesses that are making shopping for caregivers and older adults easier, better and more affordable. Host Sherri Snelling talks to Bianca Padilla, CEO/Founder of Carewell, the store for caregiving essentials, and Jimmy Zollo, co-founder of Joe & Bella, that offers a range of care-related products including a new branded line of adaptive clothing.
For Caregiver Wellness News, Sherri shares online tools on how to calculate your “real age” and to see if you may live to age 100! She also talks about how being playful makes us healthier and for May’s National Mental Health Awareness Month she shares insights on trends in the workplace and how employers are supporting employee mental health – especially for caregivers reporting more burnout and emotional health issues since the pandemic.
For our Well Home Design News, Sherri shares the latest information from AARP’s caregiving out-of-pocket costs study specifically on caregiving shopping. She also provides several e-commerce online shopping sites for caregivers for older adult and caregiver home care needs.
We finish the episode as always with our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack on Daydreaming – how we can improve brain health through “free moving” and elastic thinking that gives us more flexibility and empathy, lowers our stress and improves our relationships.
May is Older Americans Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, Military Families Month and Mother’s Day! We talk to radio host, Shawn Perry about “The Senior Zone” about issues facing older adults and his caregiving for his mom. and as an Air Force veteran, Shawn shares his tips on how to “move it or lose it.”
For Caregiver Wellness News, Sherri shares the latest statistics on older americans and how we are all living longer but not planning for those 20-30 bonus years of life. Sherri also shares information about mental illness among our older adult population and reflects on the recent passing of country singing legend, Naomi Judd. She also recognizes youth caregivers and the great work of the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) and shares her Pop Culture list of favorite “mom” movies for Mother’s Day.
For our Well Home Design News, Sherri talks about the little known “solastalgia,” a new term in the mental health of older adults who feel homesickness even when at home.
We finish the episode as always with our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack on The Matthew Effects and tips on how caregivers (and older adults) need to move it or lose it.
April is National Parkinson’s Awareness and National Autism Awareness Month and April 30th is National Pet Therapy Day. One thing that ties all three of these together is the healing power of pets whether real or robotic. Our expert guest this episode is Ted Fischer, CEO of Ageless Innovation which makes Joy for All Companion Pets, a line of robotic cats and dogs. Ted will talk about the therapeutic effect of animal companionship and how robotic pets help those with dementia and mobility issues and he debuts their newest pet – the Walker Squawker bird!
For Caregiver Wellness News, Sherri shares the latest research, programs and workplace training to support those with autism and Parkinson’s disease. She also shares resources to help older loved ones keep their pets at home even if it’s harder to care for them and some senior living communities such as Silverado Senior Living, that integrate pets into their care culture. In Pop Culture, Sherri shares her favorite animal movies that help caregivers catch a break and escape into a feel-good animal film.
For our Well Home Design News, Sherri talks about how to design for pets in the home and services that come into the home to help older loved ones care for their pet including Meals on Wheels.
We finish the episode as always with our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack on the healing power of pets.
April is National Humor Month so the perfect guest for this episode is Kelly Conway, author of a new book about growing up with and caregiving for her famous comedian father, “My Dad is Funnier Than Your Dad – Growing Up with Tim Conway in the Funniest House in America.” Kelly shares emotional moments of her childhood and caring for her dad at the end of his life. You’ll laugh and cry and learn some great advice about blended families who don’t always agree on a loved one’s care.
For Caregiver Wellness News, Sherri shares Volkswagen’s Fun Theory video on how to make health fun for National Stress Awareness Month. She also provides some insights on elder abuse and resources that can help if you fear a loved one is being harmed, exploited or neglected. Sherri also talks about how humor can help our health, and ways for caregivers to get a humor break during the day with her funniest YouTube videos with Johnny Carson, Eddie Murphy, Gilda Radner and of course, Tim Conway. In Pop Culture Sherri shares some movies that relate to the themes of elder abuse (dark humor) and sibling conflict when caregiving (lighter humor).
For our Well Home Design News, Sherri shares some tips on inserting fun into your home design.
We finish the episode as always with our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack on the wellness trend in Forest Bathing for National Stress Awareness Month and Earth Day on April 22 including a 1-minute virtual forest bathing experience.
Spring officially starts March 21 and that means longer daylight hours to enjoy nature either by bringing it inside or viewing upon it from indoors. This love of nature and biophilic design is part of Sherri’s interview with Dr. Esther Sternberg, author of Healing Spaces. Dr. Sternberg talks about how our environments can help our health and wellness and shares her own insights on being a caregiver for her mother.
For Caregiver Wellness News, Sherri shares what trends she learned at the recent Global Wellness Summit and shares some recent studies and best practices for Companies That Care Day on March 17. She also talks how about the FORTUNE Magazine “Best Places To Work” issues need to add a culture of caring for employees who are caregiving to the list. For our Well Home Design News, Sherri shares the latest trends from the KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Industry Show – North America’s largest tradeshow for the kitchen and bath industry and what is trending that help older adults live in their homes longer, healthier and happier. Sherri also does her take on the upcoming Oscars how for best films by showcasing the interior set design genius of filmmaker Nancy Meyers and some of her best movies including “Something’s Gotta Give,” “It’s Complicated,” and “The Holiday.”
We finish the episode as always with our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack on the science of sleep for National Sleep Awareness Week in March. Learn about how routines, pink noise and creating the right environment help event restless sleepers get the shut-eye needed for optimal wellness.
For National Nutrition Month this March we have an exciting guest, Bonnie J. Kaplan, author of “THE BETTER BRAIN – Overcome Anxiety, Combat Depression, and Reduce ADHD and Stress with Nutrition.” Bonnie talks about how our daily diets are critical to helping manage the mental and emotional health issues caregivers and their loved ones experience. For our Caregiver Wellness segment we celebrate March “National Reading Month” where we talk about how reading books can improve your health and how to achieve hygge especially on March 4 “National Unplug Day” by curling up with a favorite book. And since books are the topic of this episode our Well Home Design segment focuses on how to create a cozy reading nook at home. We finish the episode as always with our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack. We actually have four hacks in one: how to eat the rainbow, how to adopt a Mediterranean style diet with Sherri’s Sunshine Diet tips and how to eat like the French also known as social eating style.
We’re launching this episode on February 14 – Valentine’s Day – so it’s a perfect time to look at the special caregiving role of spouses and partners. This episode also celebrates National Caregiver Day on February 18 and the ways we can practice more self-care at any time but especially when caregiving and in our home living environments. In this episode we talk to Dr. Jessica Zitter, a hospice and critical care doctor who is also a documentary filmmaker. She talks to us about her new film, “Caregiver: A Love Story” which is a poignant picture of what spouses go through when their partner is diagnosed with a terminal illness. We learn about what palliative care is and how to prepare for loss of a loved one. Sherri also provides Caregiver Wellness information specifically for spouses and partners who tend to take on more physical caregiving tasks themselves that can impact their health over time. And since “love” is the theme for this episode, Sherri shares in Pop Culture some of the celebrity caregiving love stories of people she has interviewed on TV and for articles including: lifestyle guru B. Smith and her husband Dan Gasby, Kim Campbell wife of country music star Glen Campbell, and Sylvia Mackey, wife of NFL Super Bowl star of the 60s and 70s “No. 88” former Baltimore Colt, John Mackey. She also highlights her favorite caregiving love story movies. For Well Home Design, Sherri talks about how to create Sanctuary Spaces in our homes for much-needed escapes for caregivers. As always, the episode ends with Sherri’s Me Time Monday Wellness Hack explaining the color psychology and scientific studies behind pink colors, pink clouds, living with rose-colored glasses and looking for silver linings.
Since it is still the beginning of the New Year, we are focused on things that support a family caregiver’s physical and environmental health – two elements of our 7 Elements of Wellness which is part of the Me Time Monday program. On this episode we feature our interview with Matt Paxton, star of “Legacy List with Matt Paxton” on PBS-TV and talk about his upcoming book, “Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff”. Matt shares his expert tips on decluttering, downsizing and how 10-minute sweeps every day not only help our environmental wellness but also our emotional wellness. Sherri also provides Caregiver Wellness and Well Home Design insights into the science of hugs to boost our physical and emotional health, the latest trends in physical fitness for those over 50 from Peloton, Nike and two start-up companies: Spiro 100 and Vitality Society. Speaking of hugs, Sherri also shares her pop culture news on hugs from iconic TV shows to popular movies, how Volkswagen sparked healthy fun around the globe and two books for organizing your home for emotional wellness. As always, the episode ends with Sherri’s Me Time Monday Wellness Hack explaining how the program works using baby steps, habit-stacking, the science of Monday and color psychology to practice health in body, mind and soul all year long.
Welcome to Season 2 of our podcast! We’re excited to kick off new episodes of our podcast with amazing guests and more great information about caregiver wellness and well home design. For 2022, Caregiving Club has chosen a theme of “The Year of Living Colorfully.” This theme connects to the 7 elements of our Me Time Monday Wellness Edit and as always we have another wellness hack at the end of our podcast episodes with this episode focused on the 7 Yellow Brick Roads to Happiness. We also have two great guests on this episode: 1. Since we’re talking about happy new year and creating happiness in life – author and clinical psychologist, Joan Neehall, PhD is here to talk about her new book, “Happy Is the New Healthy”. Joan shares insights from her book including: time affluence and how to use it for caregiver self-care; how to bookend your day with happiness, the Matthew Effect, how to avoid the social media scorecard and how happiness is about what we manufacture not about what we acquire. 2. Our second guest is a national expert on financial wellness and since January is Financial Wellness Month we could not think of anyone better than Cindy Hounsell of WISER (Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement) to tell us how we can achieve wellness in our financial lives. Cindy also talks about a new tool from WISER for caregivers called the Caregiver Financial Hub – you won’t want to miss this important information.
Caregiving Club On Air podcast host, Sherri Snelling, also reports on Caregiver Wellness News including: Gallup’s Annual Survey on Global Happiness, the U-Curve of Happiness research, the merger of Headspace and Ginger to form a $3 billion mental health company, the Viagra-Alzheimer’s connection, and the Blue Zones of Happiness book ending with some pop culture happiness news. She also reports on the latest in Well Home Design news and costs of care at home for Financial Wellness Month as well as the 2022 Home Design Trends that make sense for caregivers and older adults.
Our Holiday Season episode focuses on dreams, wishes, end-of-life discussions and innovations and a glimpse into our First Annual Holiday Gift Guide and a reminder that purchases made from BlueStarSeniorTech.com using code CARE20 will give you a 20% discount and proceeds help veterans organizations. We feature an interview with Justin Crowe, founder and CEO of Parting Stone, a unique way to have a lasting reminder of a departed loved one. Sherri also reports Caregiver Wellness News tackling tough topics such as facing end-of-life for a loved one – including some tips on having those conversations and understanding the stages of grief along with some pop culture resources that can help shed light on death and last wishes. Sherri also reports on the latest in Well Home Design news ending with her Me Time Monday Wellness Hack: “7 Caregiver Lessons from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and How to Create your Social Convoy Model.”
Our Thanksgiving episode focuses on family conversations and holiday shopping. We begin with Donna Benton, Executive Director of the USC Family Caregiver Resource Center who provides expert advice and insights on how to start the family conversation about long-term-care and end-of-life wishes. We also chat with Mark Gray, Founder and CEO of Constant Companion who gives listeners an expert shopping guide to smart home technology for older loved ones. Mark also talks about cybersecurity and how to maintain privacy and avoid hackers when using smart home tech. We also remind listeners to shop the Black Friday Sale at Blue Star Senior Tech - use our special code CARE20 to get a 20% discount on purchases, which also help support veterans organizations. Sherri also reports the news for caregivers home for the holidays – including some tips on warning signs that older loved ones need more care and her formula for having the family C-A-R-E Conversation, what it takes to have a visitability-ready home for loved older ones who may be visiting during the holidays, some ideas for holiday shopping and her Me Time Monday Wellness Hack: the Gratitude Gravy Recipe.
This Veteran’s Day episode includes interviews with three different people all with ties to military veterans and their family caregivers: NBC News anchor, Richard Lui, shares his experiences as a long-distance caregiver and discusses his passion project as a documentary filmmaker on “Sky Blossom” telling the stories of young military caregivers in their teens and 20s caring for a parent or grandparent who is a veteran. Sherri also talks to Beth Sanders, founder and CEO of LifeBio, about the launch of a new app, using artificial intelligence and voice/visual prompts to help older adults capture their life stories that is being used in a project with young and old military veterans. And Sherri interviews Robert Wray, retired Rear Admiral of the U.S. Navy and CEO of Blue Star Senior Tech where listeners can use CODE20 to get a 20% discount on purchases, which also help support veterans organizations. Rob also shares his wisdom on how caregivers can build resiliency. Sherri also reports the news on respite care resources, home modification tips and her Me Time Monday Wellness Hack: Letting Go of Grief and Guilt with The Lantern Festival.
To kick off National Family Caregiver Month and National Alzheimer's Awareness Month, Sherri talks to TV host and author Joan Lunden about her caregiving journey with a mom with dementia and how she finds balance and self-care through humor and fun. Sherri also interviews brain health and Alzheimer's champion Brooks Kenny, of WomenAgainstAlzheimer’s, about the new online & mobile resource for families called Brain Guide and George Netscher, founder of SafelyYou, who is an entrepreneur with a mission to stop falls in the home for those with dementia. We share the latest news in caregiver wellness, including workplace emotional health and coping through caregiving and COVID; and wellness home design such as the Sherwin Williams color of the year that sparks a rebirth and the recently published guidebook for dementia home design called The Apartment from Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Sherri also shares her movie reviews with an Alzheimer’s and caregiving theme and spotlights Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga’s “60 Minutes” interview. We also bring you the Me Time Monday Wellness Hack: 5 Senses Workout in 5 Minutes for a healthier, calmer, happier brain.