Send a text

Summary

In this conversation, Pooja A. Patel and Rachel Wiley discuss the systemic challenges in dementia care, emphasizing the unrealistic expectations placed on families and the inadequacies of memory care facilities. They explore the importance of communication between caregivers and families, the need for early diagnosis, and the role of occupational therapy in supporting individuals with dementia. The discussion also highlights positive changes in dementia care and the growing community awareness surrounding the issue.

Takeaways

• Dementia care systems often place undue pressure on families.
• Memory care facilities frequently lack adequate support for residents.
• Effective communication between families and care providers is crucial.
• Early diagnosis of dementia is often delayed, impacting care options.
• Occupational therapy can play a significant role in dementia care.
• Community initiatives are increasing awareness and support for dementia.
• The healthcare system needs to better support caregivers and families.
• There is a growing recognition of the importance of specialized dementia care.
• Positive changes in dementia care are emerging, but more is needed.
• Families often bear the financial burden of additional care needs. 

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Dementia Care Challenges
• 02:56 The Gaps in Memory Care Facilities
• 05:59 Communication Breakdowns in Care
• 08:58 The Burden on Families
• 12:01 The Importance of Early Diagnosis
• 14:57 The Role of Occupational Therapy
• 17:58 Positive Changes in Dementia Care
• 20:59 Community Awareness and Support
• 24:02 Conclusion and Resources

About Rachel Wiley, MS, OTR/L, CDP

Rachel Wiley is an occupational therapist, educator, and founder of the Dementia Collaborative, where she provides evidence-based training and consulting to help clinicians and care partners better support people living with dementia. She is the creator of the Certified Dementia Clinician Program, the Dementia Squad Learning Community, and the Care Checklist for navigating consent and autonomy in dementia care. Rachel serves on the Advisory Council for the Dementia Society of America, and is the membership chair for the Vermont Occupational Therapy Association. Through her teaching, writing, and advocacy, Rachel is passionate about translating research into practical, compassionate strategies that promote dignity, meaningful engagement, and person-centered care for individuals and families navigating dementia. 

• Follow or Connect on LinkedIn
• Website: https://www.rachelwileyot.com/
• Website: https://www.dementiacollaborative.com/
• IG: @dementiacollaborative & @dementia_ot

Support the show

Send a text

Summary

In this conversation, Pooja A. Patel and Dr. Brandy Archie discuss the challenges faced by the 'forgotten middle' in elder care, particularly regarding Medicare's limitations and the lack of resources available for those who do not qualify for Medicaid. They explore the importance of health literacy, the role of technology in providing solutions, and the necessity of involving occupational therapists in planning for aging in place. The discussion emphasizes the need for better access to information and resources, as well as the importance of planning ahead to ensure safety and support for seniors.

Takeaways

• Most families aren't choosing between luxury care and no care.
• Medicare only covers 80% of healthcare bills.
• The forgotten middle is misrepresented in elder care.
• Health literacy is crucial for accessing resources.
• Technology can bridge the gap in elder care.
• Occupational therapy is essential for aging in place.
• Planning ahead can prevent crises in elder care.
• Home modifications are often overlooked in planning.
• Access to information is a right, not a privilege.
• AskSAMIE aims to democratize access to clinical information.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the Forgotten Middle in Elder Care
• 02:26 The Role of Technology in Bridging Care Gaps
• 05:06 Understanding Health Literacy and Its Impact
• 07:47 Innovative Solutions for Elder Care
• 10:19 The Challenges of Resource Accessibility
• 13:08 The Importance of Provider Advocacy
• 15:33 Future Directions in Elder Care Solutions
• 18:44 The Importance of Health Literacy
• 20:28 Elder Care and the Forgotten Middle
• 21:07 Barriers to Home Modifications
• 22:38 The Role of Occupational Therapists
• 25:14 Planning for Aging in Place
• 27:35 The Need for Tailored Solutions
• 29:05 Long-Term Planning for Aging
• 30:30 Accessing Community Resources
• 32:23 The Importance of Early Planning
• 34:07 Finding Occupational Therapists

About Dr. Brandy Archie, OTD, OTR/L, CLIPP:

Dr. Brandy Archie is an occupational therapist who is certified in Living in Place and is the founder of AskSAMIE—a digital platform designed to make daily living safer, easier, and more affordable for older adults and people with disabilities. With over 17 years of experience in home health and elder-focused care, Dr. Archie built AskSAMIE to bridge the gap between clinical guidance and real-world solutions by combining AI-powered recommendations, adaptive equipment, and virtual OT support. Her work is grounded in the belief that accessibility should be a right—instead of a privilege. 

• FB, IG, & LinkedIn: @AskSAMIE
• Twitter @Ask_SAMIE
• Youtube @Ask-SAMIE

Support the show

Send a text

In this episode, Dr. Pooja A. Patel and Dr. Sydney Marshman delve into the critical issue of healthcare access in rural communities, emphasizing how geographical location significantly impacts the quality of care individuals receive as they age. They discuss the disparities in access to primary care, specialty services, and the challenges faced by families in rural areas when seeking medical attention. Dr. Marshman shares her experiences as an occupational therapist working with older adults in Iowa, highlighting the importance of home assessments and therapy services that cater to the unique needs of rural populations. The conversation also touches on the complexities of healthcare funding, the role of telehealth, and the implications of recent legislative changes on rural healthcare systems.

Key Takeaways

• Access to care is not equal across different regions.
• Rural residents often face significant travel distances for healthcare services.
• Engagement with local communities and legislators is crucial for improving healthcare access.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Rural Healthcare Access
• 01:50 Understanding the Disparities in Care
• 07:57 Challenges in Expanding Services
• 12:04 The Role of Data and Interoperability
• 20:02 Managed Care vs. Traditional Medicare
• 26:03 Rural Health Transformation Program
• 29:56 Impact of Medicaid Cuts on Rural Healthcare
• 35:04 The Importance of Telehealth
• 39:00 Call to Action: Community Engagement

Learn more

• About Sydney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydney-marshman/
• About Sydney's Company: Happy at Home Consulting
• CMS: Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program 
• Iowa HHS: Iowa's RHT Plan 
• Talk of Iowa: What a $209M federal boost means for rural hospitals and what's still at risk in these communities

Support the show

Send a text

We don’t need more polished narratives right now.
We need honesty, especially in healthcare.

Caregiving, aging, access to care, dementia, systems that fail quietly—these realities are already heavy. Sugarcoating them doesn’t protect anyone. It just delays the conversations families are forced to have anyway.

Season 5 of Aging Together is unfiltered by design.

More direct. Less comfortable. Willing to name what’s actually happening, especially in the context of current events that continue to expose how fragile our care systems really are.

This season holds space for the truths families are expected to manage quietly, and the questions we avoid because they don’t have easy answers.

🎧🎥 Subscribe today wherever you listen or watch.

Support the show

Send a text

Summary

In this conversation, Karlin D. Soelberg shares her personal journey of navigating health challenges after turning 40, particularly focusing on her experience with hormonal changes and the difficulties in finding appropriate medical care. She emphasizes the importance of patient advocacy and education in addressing women's health issues, especially when faced with dismissive attitudes from healthcare providers.

Takeaways

• Patient advocacy is crucial in healthcare.
• Women need to be heard and taken seriously.
• You are the owner of your health. 
• Be proactive in understanding your hormones.

About the Guest

Karlin D. Soelberg is the founder and CEO of Empowered Fitness & Recovery LLC, a premier wellness club in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Known for her bold, science-meets-soul approach, Karlin helps women break through burnout, balance their hormones, and rediscover their strength — inside and out. 

As a best-selling author of Get The Edge: Hormone Health for Women, Karlin guides readers to understand the real story behind their changing bodies and reclaim their energy through smarter movement, recovery, and mindset. Her work blends the intensity of fitness with the power of restoration, showing that sustainable results come from harmony, not hustle.

As a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200) and passionate advocate for women’s health, Karlin’s mission is to help women thrive through every decade — not just survive them. Through Empowered Fitness & Recovery, she’s redefining what it means to age strong, live vibrant, and feel unstoppable.

• Socials: @empoweredfitnessrecovery 
• Website: https://empoweredfitnessrecovery.com

Support the show

Send a text

Summary

In this conversation, Leslie Frank shares her extensive experience as a caregiver for her husband, mother, and sister-in-law, highlighting the emotional and logistical challenges of navigating long-term care. She discusses the importance of finding the right care setting, the complexities of grief, and the necessity of self-care for caregivers. Leslie emphasizes the value of support systems, patient advocacy, and the need for ongoing communication with care providers. Her insights provide a roadmap for others facing similar situations, encouraging them to focus on what truly matters for their loved ones while managing their own emotional well-being.

Takeaways

• Being a caregiver for a spouse is deeply personal.
• Finding the right fit for care is crucial.
• Engagement in care settings is more important than aesthetics.
• Grief can manifest in unexpected ways during caregiving.
• Having a support system is essential for caregivers.
• Creating a care plan can alleviate stress.
• It's important to ask the right questions when seeking care.
• Self-care is vital for effective caregiving.
• Navigating long-term care requires ongoing adjustments.
• Emotional detachment can help in making objective decisions.

About the Guest

Leslie Frank is a serial entrepreneur and has a successful track record of developing customized, sustainable business solutions to drive growth. Her diverse background includes design, merchandising, manufacturing, business development, and licensing. But that’s not why she’s here today. 

Through the various stages of her successful career, Leslie has spent the majority of her life being a caregiver–first for her mom and sister-in-law, and now for her husband. While navigating grief, Leslie has also had to navigate long-term care needs. Today, she’s joining us to share her story and some words of wisdom on how to find the right fit for your loved one. 

Support the show

Send a text

Summary

In this episode of the Aging Together podcast, Dr. Pooja A. Patel interviews Alfred Poor, a health tech futurist, about the intersection of health technology and aging. They discuss the evolution of health tech, the importance of wearable devices, and the challenges faced by caregivers. Alfred shares his personal experiences with technology in caring for his elderly mother and emphasizes the need for tailored solutions that respect the dignity and independence of aging adults. The conversation also highlights the role of employers in supporting caregivers and the necessity of bridging the digital divide to ensure access to technology for seniors.

Takeaways

• Alfred Poor transitioned from teaching to health technology.
• HealthTech Insider aimed to provide context and solutions, not just gadgets.
• The aging population presents significant challenges for caregivers.
• Technology can alleviate stress for caregivers by automating tasks.
• Broadband access is a critical social determinant of health.
• Monitoring systems can provide peace of mind for caregivers.
• Employers should support employees with caregiving responsibilities.
• There is a need for tailored tech solutions for individual needs.
• AI can enhance remote patient monitoring and medication adherence.
• Engagement through technology can combat isolation in seniors.

About the Guest

Alfred Poor, The Health Tech Futurist, is a dynamic speaker and virtual event expert with an international reputation in technology fields. He was the editor of HealthTech Insider, a website that covered wearable and mobile devices for health and medical applications. A graduate of Harvard College, he is the author or co-author of 15 books and is widely quoted in major media outlets. He brings energy and humor to his presentations and tailors his programs to match the technical levels and interests of his audience. 

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfredpoor/
• https://alfredpoor.com

Support the show

Send a text

Summary

In this conversation, Vijay Sairam shares his transformative journey as a caregiver for his aging parents and how it shaped his mission to democratize access to remote jobs through his startup, Remote Job Central. He discusses the importance of flexibility in work for caregivers, cultural perspectives on caregiving, and the need for a supportive work environment that prioritizes family. Vijay emphasizes that caregiving is an expression of love and duty, and he advocates for remote work as a lifeline for those balancing personal and professional responsibilities. He encourages caregivers to stand up for their needs and highlights the mission of Remote Job Central to make remote jobs accessible to skilled talent worldwide.

Takeaways

• Caregiving requires patience, presence, and adaptability.
• Remote work can provide crucial flexibility for caregivers.
• Cultural values shape beliefs about caregiving responsibilities.
• Caregiving is seen as an expression of love, not a chore.
• Flexibility in work is essential for balancing career and care.
• Remote jobs should be accessible to all, regardless of location.
• Quality time with loved ones is irreplaceable.
• Advocating for remote work is important for caregivers.
• Work should support life, not the other way around.
• Caregivers should give themselves grace and patience. 

About the Guest

Vijay Sairam, a former caregiver for both of his parents, is now the Founder and Educator at Remote Jobs Central, a mission-driven startup dedicated to democratizing access to remote jobs for talented people worldwide and helping them work from anywhere, without any geographic restrictions. Vijay has been working remotely for over a decade and is widely recognized as a remote jobs expert and remote work advocate, especially for those who need it most. 

• remotejobscentral.com

Support the show

Send a text

Summary

In this episode of the Aging Together podcast, Dr. Pooja A. Patel interviews Jaylen Vickery, a certified financial therapist, about the intersection of financial wellness and emotional health. They discuss the seven dimensions of wellness, the importance of building a relationship with one's future self, and the challenges faced by caregivers. Jaylen shares her Five Reps to Wealth approach, emphasizing the need for compassionate accountability and the significance of preventative care in achieving a balanced life. The conversation highlights the emotional burdens caregivers carry and offers insights into navigating these challenges while promoting holistic health and wellness.

Takeaways

• Money is emotions disguised as numbers.
• Understanding the seven dimensions of wellness is crucial.
• The Five Reps to Wealth approach helps in holistic living.
• Building a relationship with your future self is essential.
• Preventive care is often overlooked in financial planning.
• Caregivers face unique emotional challenges.
• Microdosing momentum can help in achieving goals.
• Emotions and experiences shape our feelings.
• It's important to find balance across all dimensions of life.
• Building wealth should be aligned with wellness.

About the Guest

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Book a Financial Therapy Consultation
  • Jae is fffering 50% off a 3-session bundle exclusively to our listeners! To get your discount, let her know how you found Dimensional Wealth LLC by listing Aging Together! 

Support the show

Send a text

Summary

In this conversation, Allison Schrier shares her profound journey as a caregiver for her husband, diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, while raising two children. She discusses the emotional turmoil of navigating grief, the challenges of parenting through loss, and the importance of maintaining family dynamics. Allison reflects on her transformation from caregiver to dementia educator, emphasizing the need for resources and support for families dealing with similar situations. The conversation highlights resilience, the complexities of caregiving, and the creation of Zinnia TV, a resource aimed at helping caregivers and individuals with dementia.

Takeaways

• Allison's journey began with her husband's diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.
• Navigating grief while parenting is a complex emotional experience.
• It's important for caregivers to express their emotions to their children.
• The impact of dementia on family dynamics can be profound and challenging.
• Making the decision to seek care for a loved one is often difficult but necessary.
• Allison transformed her pain into purpose by becoming a dementia educator.
• Support groups for children of caregivers are crucial but often lacking.
• Resilience is a key factor in overcoming adversity in caregiving.
• Zinnia TV was created to provide resources for caregivers and individuals with dementia.
• Setting expectations for survival and success can lead to positive outcomes.

About the Guest

Allyson Schrier, co-founder and President of ZinniaTV,  was a caregiver for her husband with dementia, who turned that experience into a career focused on helping both people with dementia and those who care for them. As a dementia educator, Allyson taught both family and professional caregivers best practices around supporting people with dementia. As Program Manager at the University of Washington Memory and Brain Wellness Center, she helped launch, and then facilitated a program aimed at helping primary and allied healthcare providers better diagnose and support patients living with dementia. Allyson was honored to be a recipient of a 2020 Maude’s Awards for Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care, and was named Visionary Caregiver of 2020 by caregiving.com. She sits on the Health and Medical subcommittee of the Washington State Dementia Action Collaborative, facilitates support groups for spouses of people with dementia, and lectures on topics about dementia caregiving. 

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/avschrier/
• www.zinniatv.com
• @zinnia_tv (tik tok and instagram)

Support the show