Guest: Misha Stallworth West, Program Office, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation

Hosts: Kristie King and Antonia Harbin Lamb

Topics Covered

• The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation’s strategy for supporting caregivers
• Differences in needs between paid and family caregivers
• Funding community-based organizations and infrastructure
• Equity and cultural relevance in caregiving initiatives
• How philanthropy can shift public narratives about caregiving
• The power of listening tours and community-rooted grantmaking

Resources Mentioned

The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation

• Website: https://www.ralphcwilsonjrfoundation.org/our-focus/caregivers/

Caregiver Conversations Podcast: [email protected]

Senior Regional Collaborative

• Website: www.semisrc.org
  Email: [email protected]
  Phone: 888-341-8593

Neighborhood Legal Services – Elder Law and Advocacy Center:

• Website: www.nlsmichigan.org
• Phone: 313-937-8291

Guest: Amanda Sears, Chief Community Impact Officer at The Senior Alliance (TSA)

Hosted by: Kristie King 

Topics Covered:

• Overview of The Senior Alliance (TSA) and its service region
• The development and impact of the Caregiving Haven resource hub
• Culturally tailored caregiver guides for Black, Arab-American, and Hispanic communities
• The EXHALE program with ACCESS: caregiver innovation, education, and respite
• TSA’s online advocacy tool and importance of civic engagement
• Amanda’s personal and professional journey in eldercare and equity
• Practical self-care reminders for caregivers

Resources Mentioned:

The Senior Alliance

• Website: www.thesenioralliance.org
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/thesenioralliance
• Instagram: @senioralliance 
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/AAA1C 
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TheSeniorAlliance
• EXHALE Caregiver Program with ACCESS: www.accesscommunity.org/human-services/caregiving-services

Caregiver Conversations Podcast: [email protected]

Senior Regional Collaborative

• Website: www.semisrc.org
  Email: [email protected]
  Phone: 888-341-8593

Neighborhood Legal Services – Elder Law and Advocacy Center:

• Website: www.nlsmichigan.org
• Phone: 313-937-8291

Guest: Kea Norrell-Aitch, LPC
Hosted by: Kristie King, Executive Director, Southeast Michigan Senior Regional Collaborative

Topics Covered:

• What youth mental health looks like today, especially in Detroit
• The impact of chronic stress and trauma on adolescents
• How 4-H Healthy Living and Youth Mental Health First Aid programs work
• Why caregivers often miss the signs of emotional distress
• What caregivers can do to better support the young people in their lives
• The importance of youth-led programs and safe spaces in schools

Resources Mentioned:

MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/ 

Contact Kea: [email protected]

Caregiver support: www.semisrc.org | [email protected] | 888-341-8593

Guest: Romona Greenlee, Paraprofessional and Grandparent Caregiver
Hosts: Kristie King & Antonia Harbin Lamb

Topics Covered:

• The reality of grandparents raising grandchildren
• Navigating school systems, social services, and housing as a caregiver
• How caregiving affects physical and emotional health
• The challenges of accessing financial support and reliable resources
• The importance of community, patience, and prayer
• Advice for other kinship caregivers

Resources Mentioned:

Empower Circle Meetings
Ruth Peterson Center
90 Joslin Street, Pontiac, MI
Meets once a month

Contact Information:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (313) 979-0371

Senior Regional Collaborative
Website: www.semisrc.org
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 888-341-8593

Neighborhood Legal Services
Elder Law and Advocacy Center
Website: www.nlsmichigan.org
Phone: 313-937-8291

Caregiver Conversations Podcast – [email protected]

Guest: Councilman Scott Benson, Detroit City Council – District 3
Hosts: Kristie King & Antonia Harbin Lamb

Topics Covered:

• How Councilmember Benson’s personal caregiving story shapes his public service
• The role of City Council in supporting seniors and caregivers
• Current efforts to make Detroit more age- and caregiver-friendly
• The importance of neighborhood engagement and intergenerational care
• Elder-focused resources and pop-up clinics for legal assistance
• How the community can get involved and advocate for aging Detroiters

Resources Mentioned:

• Elder Law & Advocacy Center – Pop-Up Legal Clinic
  • Detroit Public Library (Main Branch)
  • Every 3rd Thursday of the month | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Free legal consultations for older adults

Senior Regional Collaborative

• Website: www.semisrc.org
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 888-341-8593

Neighborhood Legal Services – Elder Law and Advocacy Center

• Website: www.nlsmichigan.org
• Phone: 313-937-8291

Caregiver Conversations Podcast

• Email: [email protected]

Guest: Dr. Florence Johnson, Clinical Scholar and Research Fellow, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation

Hosts: Kristie King & Antonia Harbin Lamb

Topics Covered:

• Dr. Johnson’s personal caregiving journey and inspiration for her research
• Early signs of dementia and what families should watch for
• Cultural stigma and caregiver isolation in Black communities
• How dementia impacts caregivers emotionally, physically, and socially
• The importance of routine, validation, and music therapy in dementia care
• Burnout, guilt, and the physical health risks for caregivers
• Challenges Black caregivers face in seeking and accepting help
• The need for caregiver inclusion in healthcare systems and discharge planning
• Creating safe spaces for caregivers to share and access resources
• The role of clinical trials and Black brain health research
• Encouragement for Black families to participate in caregiving research
• Dr. Johnson’s call to center caregivers’ voices in interventions

Resources Mentioned:
Dr. Florence Johnson 

Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Florence Johnson

Caregiver Conversations Podcast: [email protected]

Senior Regional Collaborative:
Website: www.semisrc.org
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 888-341-8593

Neighborhood Legal Services – Elder Law and Advocacy Center:
Website: www.nlsmichigan.org
Phone: 313-937-8291

Guest: Phyllis Edwards, Executive Director, Bridging Communities Inc.

Hosts: Kristie King & Antonia Harbin Lamb 

Topics Covered:

• The need for accessible, affordable housing for older adults
• Safety hazards in the home and how they contribute to displacement
• Age in Place programs and modifications that make a difference
• The role of income insecurity in housing stability
• How caregiving and community support intersect
• Why policy and education are critical for lasting solutions
• Ways to get involved and advocate for aging Detroiters

Resources Mentioned:
Bridging Communities Inc. – https://www.bridgingcommunities.org

Caregiver Conversations Podcast: [email protected] 

Senior Regional Collaborative:

• Website: www.semisrc.org
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 888-341-8593

Neighborhood Legal Services:

• Elder Law and Advocacy Center:
• Website: www.nlsmichigan.org
• Phone: 313- 937- 8291

Guest: Dr. Gwen Graddy, Director Medical Education at PACE Southeast Michigan
Hosts: Kristie King & Antonia Harbin Lamb 

Topics Covered:

• What defines a caregiver and why many don’t identify as one
• The crucial role of informal caregivers in the healthcare system
• National statistics on unpaid caregiving and its economic impact
• Caregiver burnout: warning signs and why self-care is essential
• The importance of including caregivers in medical documentation
• Advocacy for systems change and policy-level support
• Planning ahead vs. crisis-driven caregiving decisions
• The PACE model as a national example of holistic care.

Guest Contact Information:
Dr. Gwen Graddy, Director of Medical Education, PACE Southeast Michigan
Website: www.pacesemi.org

Caregiver Conversations Podcast: [email protected] 

Senior Regional Collaborative:

• Website: www.semisrc.org
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 888-341-8593

Neighborhood Legal Services:

• Elder Law and Advocacy Center:
• Website: www.nlsmichigan.org
• Phone: 313- 937- 8291

Guest: Nicole Jorwic, Chief of Advocacy and Campaigns at Caring Across Generations

Key Themes & Topics

• Personal Connection to Caregiving: Nicole shares her family’s experience with caregiving and how it shaped her path in policy and advocacy work.
• Care as Infrastructure: Why caregiving should be seen as a critical part of our national economy—and what’s at stake when it’s not.
• Policy and Legislative Priorities: Insight into current federal initiatives, including the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers.
• The Role of Storytelling in Advocacy: How personal caregiving stories help influence policy and change public perception.
• Empowering Caregivers to Take Action: Resources and encouragement for caregivers to engage in advocacy at all levels.

Contact Information:

Caring Across Generations

• Website: www.caringacross.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caringacrossgenerations
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caringacrossgen/?hl=en
• Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/CaringAcrossGen
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/carexgens

Southeast Michigan Senior Regional Collaborative (SRC): 

• Email: www.semisrc.org
• Phone: (888) 341-8593

Elder Law and Advocacy Center (ELAC) : Phone: (313) 937-8291, nlsmichigan.org/elder-law/
 

Guest: Alexandra “Ally” Hunter, Virtual Care Consultant at Henry Ford Health

Topics: Telehealth, digital access, and how caregivers can confidently navigate virtual healthcare

Key topics discussed:

• What telehealth is (and what it isn’t)
• Why digital equity matters in healthcare
• Common access barriers: internet, devices, tech skills
• The role of community partnerships in bridging the digital divide
• Practical caregiver tips: from proxy access to appointment planning
• Free online resources for digital skill-building
• Henry Ford Health’s approach to digital inclusion and telehealth innovation

Contact Information:

Henry Ford Virtual Care Website: www.henryford.com/virtualcare

Ally Hunter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allyhunter/

Southeast Michigan Senior Regional Collaborative (SRC): 

• Email: www.semisrc.org
• Phone: (888) 341-8593

Elder Law and Advocacy Center (ELAC) : Phone: (313) 937-8291, nlsmichigan.org/elder-law/