Having recently attended the AARP Family Caregiving Executive Summit in Washington, DC, I am excited to share some of the new ideas being developed to enhance our lived experience - ideas that will become reality in the very near future if not already available. I certainly can't cover all of the innovative approaches to aging...but I hope to spark your curiosity about the creative aging resources on the horizon.

Today, I want to chat about the pros and cons of aging - the pluses and minuses about getting older. I know - most people don’t relish the idea of aging. But if we can be realistically optimistic about the journey, perhaps we’ll engage the journey in a more life-giving way. It’s certainly worth a try!

When knee-deep in the midst of caring for a family member or friend, have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered, “Who am I?” Have you ever felt as if you lost yourself somewhere along the way? If so, you are not alone. Today, I want to explore the implications of our personal roles playing second fiddle to that of caregiver.

Today, I want to talk about the experience of Being Left Behind. Often referred to as “the bereaved” - people who suffer the death of a family member or friend. In obituaries, we read that the decease is “survived by”…..Regardless of the terminology used, I want to focus on the experience of Being Left Behind. What does it feel like? How do we deal with Being Left Behind?

Today, I want to share a story that serves to highlight just how difficult it is for most of us to receive help from other people. More importantly, I want to reiterate that an essential aspect of becoming fully human is learning how to graciously offer and receive help.

Today, I want to chat about the difficulty of knowing when it’s time—when it’s time to change goals of care when companioning our beloved pets. When is it time to shift from a curative approach to a palliative (comfort) approach to care?

Today, let’s consider what it means to be called to witness the journey of a family member or friend. In a previous podcasts I spoke about the power of presence and the gift of listening—the importance of being with people through the trials of life. There are times when we can’t do anything to change the reality of a situation, but we can be present to the moment. What is required of us when called to witness?

Today, I want to reflect on the power of presence and our ability (or perhaps our willingness) to listen well—skills too often discounted or dismissed when there is so much to do! Granted, caregiving entails a myriad of tasks. There is so much to do. However, remembering the power of presence and the gift of listening is important for caregivers and care receivers. So, listen well.

If you are feeling a wee bit stressed or overwhelmed, you’ve come to the right place. Today, it’s time to remember that even during the toughest times, ya gotta laugh. No joke! Humor is no laughing matter. It has been scientifically proven that humor is an effective method of coping. So, humor me. Let’s chat about the benefits of a good belly laugh from time to time.

Care to chat about the journey of aging? Yep, I want to talk about getting older. I know, another socially taboo subject, right? Well, getting older may not be your favorite subject, but in order to age well, we need to meet this challenge head on and thereby recognize some of the opportunities afforded by aging as well. And over the course of our discussion, we’ll highlight the fact that the journey of aging is not a solo flight. We share our journey of aging with others—and that is a very good thing indeed!