Raising 'Rents (as in Parents) Podcast: Recent Episodes
Zack Demopolous
Raising ‘Rents (parents) Podcast is a short bi-weekly show for the sandwich generation – which is someone, who suddenly, in addition to current responsibilities like raising kids, pets or having a full-time job, are now faced with the realization they must help raise their parents or an aging adult. Raising ‘Rents’ primary purpose is to inspire, educate and support those who currently, or in the near future, will be caregivers for someone a lot older than themselves. The host, Zack Demopoulos, along with his wife Phyllis, have owned and operated a home healthcare agency in New Jersey for many years and have gained quite a bit of experience and knowledge about caring for aging adults along the way. Raising ‘Rents will deliver, through an entertaining and informative format, stories about care-giving from those who have experienced it on both sides…caregivers, industry experts, and aging parents themselves.
Host Zack Demopoulos launches his 30 day preparation plan to care for an aging adult. In Day 16, Zack talks about how prevalent senior scams are, especially around the recent issuing of the new Medicare Card, and how you need to have a conversation with your parents about this.
Host Zack Demopoulos prepares to kick off Season 2 of Raising ‘Rents but before he does he shares a bonus episode on the transition of care for a family loved one who has been hospitalized and is being discharged. This one is a personal story about Zack’s Mom. It is the first time he is sharing on a personal note and plans to do more in the future.
Host Zack Demopoulos launches his 30 day preparation plan to care for an aging adult. In Day 15, Zack talks about what is involved when it is time for your parents to down size and move.
Host Zack Demopoulos launches his 30 day preparation plan to care for an aging adult. In Day 14, Zack talks about what it means when the term “aging in place” is used and how this may apply to you and your parents or an aging adult you know.
Host Zack Demopoulos launches his 30 day preparation plan to care for an aging adult. In Day 13, Zack talks about being a long distance adult kid caring and worrying about your aging parent and some things you can do about it.
Host Zack Demopoulos launches his 30 day preparation plan to care for an aging adult. In Day 12, Zack talks about how staying active as you age will keep go far in keeping you healthy.
Host Zack Demopoulos launches his 30 day preparation plan to care for an aging adult. In Day 11, Zack talks about how important estate planning is, and how an elder care attorney can help with that and long term planning.
Host Zack Demopoulos launches his 30 day preparation plan to care for an aging adult. In Day 10, Zack talks about how important it is to stay on top of your parents hearing and some of the things to look for as they age.
Host Zack Demopoulos launches his 30 day preparation plan to care for an aging adult. In Day 9, Zack talks about how important it is to stay on top of your parents hearing and some of the things to look for as they age.
Host Zack Demopoulos launches his 30 day preparation plan to care for an aging adult. In Day 8, Zack talks about how important it is to stay on top of your parent’s eye health and some of the things to look for as they age.
Host Zack Demopoulos launches his 30 day preparation plan to care for an aging adult. In Day 7, Zack talks about how many doctors an aging adult may have and what are the best ways to help your parent manage them and benefit most from them.
Host Zack Demopoulos launches his 30 day preparation plan to care for an aging adult. In Day 6, he talks about medication management, the risks of not complying, the polypharmacy issues, and the problems that can occur if medication is not managed correctly.
Host Zack Demopoulos launches his 30 day preparation plan to care for an aging adult. In Day 5, he talks about what some of the signs are that Mom or Dad should not be driving anymore and how to take the keys away.
Host Zack Demopoulos launches his 30 day preparation plan to care for an aging adult. In Day 4, he talks about what to look for when you visit your mother and father’s house in terms of safety and aging in place. There are simple measures one can take to ensure that their home is as safe as possible. One of the primary goals is to make a home safer to prevent falls.
Host Zack Demopoulos launches his 30 day preparation plan to care for an aging adult. In Day 3, Zack finishes up the three critical parts to Y.O.U as the caregiver. He discusses the importance of understanding your parents’ needs, the “U” in Y.O.U. “Y” stands for “Your Well Being” covered in Day 1. “O” is Overall financial situation—yours and your parents which he covered on Day 2. In this episode Zack talks about the importance of knowing and respecting your parents’ wishes and needs while walking the thin line of making sure they are living safely as they age and have prepared for the long term. He reviews the 9 Beginner Steps To Raising Parents as well.
Host Zack Demopoulos launches his 30 day preparation plan to care for an aging adult. In Day 2, it is still all about Y.O.U. as the caregiver. “O” stands for “Overall Financial Situation, both yours and your parents.” Zack shares how important it is to not only help your parents with prepare for long term care expenses but you should plan accordingly as well due to caregiver costs that can unexpectedly hit you.
Host Zack Demopoulos launches his 30 day preparation plan to care for an aging adult. In Day 1, it is all about Y.O.U. as the caregiver. “Y” stands for “Your Well Being” and Zack shares how important it is to ensure your physical, mental, emotional and social well-being are in a good place so that you can be the best caregiver possible.
Host Zack Demopoulos continues his discussion with Wendy Sabin, MSW, LCSW (check out Episode 007 for Part 1: http://bit.ly/2sSpTIz) about how to hire a GCM (Geriatric Care Manager), resources they can help you with caring for your aging parents, Wendy’s dog Sophie who is training for pet animal therapy and how important this therapy. Zack also does a review of the ALCA (Aging Life Care Association) as in its members and its purpose. This show is dedicated to pet therapy animals—stick around until the end of the show to learn why.
Host Zack Demopoulos invites Wendy Sabin, MSW, LCSW to talk about what a GCM or Geriatric Care Manager is, the name change from GCM to ALCA or Aging Life Care Adviser, why you would call one, what they do for you, and how she balances her professional care giving and personal care giving which you may be surprised by her answer. She also answers a listener’s question on how to handle an aging parent who is reluctant to move out of state to be near an adult child who can care for them.
Host Zack Demopoulos invites Barbara Davey as a guest to discuss what is a CCRC, IL, AL, SNU, SA and MC–all long-term care options that one day an aging parent or adult may need. Barbara is a Community Relations Director for a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC).
The discussion on The 9 Beginner Steps to Raising Parents is concluded with the introduction of Step 9 “Be There.” Stories and tips are shared about how important being there emotionally for the aging adult you are caring for, as well as being there physically with them. Zack Demopoulos is your host and has guests provide insights. Guests include ComForCare employee, Cheryl Wilson, her mother, Anne Smith, client, Helen Mintz, and Paula Muller of Sociavi. This show is dedicated to wife Phyllis and some fun awkward bloopers are shared at the end…
Step 7 “Be Fun” and Step 8 “Be Loving” are introduced as the next of the 9 Beginner Steps to Raising Parents or an Aging Adult. Stories and tips are shared about how important having fun is for the person you are caring for as well as yourself. Fun includes laughter and music. It is also important to show your love for the person you are caring. Resources are shared to help you prepare in caring for an aging adult. Zack Demopoulos is your host and has guests provide insights. Guests include wife Phyllis and Eugene “Gene” Foret. This show is dedicated to Chuck Berry who passed away on March 18th, 2017.
Step 5 "Be Compassionate" and Step 6 "Be Respectful" are introduced as the next Beginner Steps To Raising Parents or an Aging Adult. Stories and tips are shared about how important compassion is when caring for someone and to be careful of compassion fatigue; and the importance of being respectful in helping someone with their decisions as they age. Resources are shared to help you prepare in caring for an aging adult. Zack Demopoulos is your host and has guests provide insights. Guests include wife Phyllis, a professional caregiver, and a current client who is an aging adult herself. This show is dedicated to James F. Ward, a former client.
Step 3 "Be talking and listening" and Step 4 "Be patient" are introduced as the next Beginner Steps To Raising Parents or an Aging Adult. Stories and tips are shared about how to have a conversation with someone who needs help, how important it is to listen, and how being patient will increase the probability that they will listen. Resources are shared to help you prepare in caring for an aging adult. Zack Demopoulos is your host and has guests provide insights. Guests include wife Phyllis, an aging adult, and a senior advocate/home health care provider/author/radio host. This show is dedicated to all Social Workers. March is National Professional Social Worker Month.
Step 1 "Be good to your self" and Step 2 "Be resourceful" are introduced as the first two Beginner Steps in Raising Parents or an Aging Adult. Stories and tips are shared about caring for yourself before you can care for someone else. Resources are shared to help you prepare for caring for an aging adult. Zack Demopoulos is your host, his wife Phyllis joins in the conversation, and Zack has two industry providers share their experiences. This show is dedicated to Zack's best friend Tracy Armstrong.
The new Raising ‘Rents podcast series introduces itself. Raising ‘Rents is the show that will share everything you need to know in caring for your aging parents. Experts, adult kids, caregivers, and aging parents themselves share experiences about aging and how to care for aging adults. Zack Demopoulos is your host, and he will share clips of future episodes.