Caregiver Crossing

We have talked in the past about Structured Family Care, which provides live-in caregivers with the opportunity to be paid for the care of their adult loved ones. However, caregivers providing care for children with medically complex needs do not qualify for that program. In some states, there is legislation against paying parents for the care of their own children – under any circumstance. That leaves many families in a difficult situation. Fortunately, in Indiana services are available to qualifying families under the states A&D Waiver.  

Healing Hands Personal Service provides attendant care for children with the A&D waiver. The Medically Complex Warrior (MCW) program allows parents to be paid to assist their child. Joining us today is Lydia Webster, MCW Coordinator at Healing Hands to tell us more about this wonderful program. 

Healing Hands: https://www.healinghandshome.com/contact/ | (765) 400-9701 

CICOA: https://cicoa.org/ | 800-432-2422 

Email Tina: [email protected]  

Learn more about Joy’s House: www.joyshouse.org 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Speech therapy for seniors is often necessary when recovering from the debilitating consequences of a stroke or dementia. It may also be necessary after a head injury. The ability to communicate effectively is important at any age, but for seniors it can be vital. If a senior cannot successfully describe what they need, where they hurt, or what is wrong in general, an emergency can easily occur. Therapy provided by a qualified speech pathologist can help to improve speech and understanding impacted by brain damage, improve speech impacted by muscular problems, improve swallowing, and prevent unhealthy weight loss.

Today we welcome back Beth Timko with CarDon & Associates to discuss when speech therapy might be beneficial and how.

CarDon Website: https://cardon.us/  

Hamilton Trace: 317-813-4444 

Email Tina: [email protected]  

Learn more about Joy’s House: www.joyshouse.org 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If someone in your life needs specialized care to recover after a surgery, acute illness, or stroke, rehabilitation therapy could be the solution. There are several things that need to be considered when choosing a rehab center and planning your loved one’s stay there. However, when discharged from the hospital patient’s and caregivers often feel these decisions are quite rushed.  

What questions need to be asked up front? What is a good staffing ratio and why is it important? How can caregivers best engage with their loved one’s care team during their stay in rehab? What about respite care, insurance, and discharge planning? 

To address these and other important questions, we welcome Beth Timko with CarDon & Associates, Director of Marketing and Admissions at Hamilton Trace to the show. 

CarDon Website: https://cardon.us/  

Hamilton Trace: 317-813-4444 

Email Tina: [email protected]  

Learn more about Joy’s House: www.joyshouse.org 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s episode, Tina and Terri discuss what it means to age by design. How do desires and priorities shift as we age, why do we fail to notice these changes, and how do we live with purpose to our very last breath? 

Email Tina: [email protected]  

Learn more about Joy’s House: www.joyshouse.org 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

To best serve older adults and increase the age-friendliness of your community, it is important to ask for and record information from older adults on a variety of topics. Collecting resident input provides valuable insight on how the public feels about community issues. This information can guide strategic decisions and priorities for your community. 

Engaging the community strengthens relationships, promotes transparency, and helps inform leaders on seniors’ actual needs. Furthermore, consistent data collection over time provides insights into shifting preferences, trends, and other needs within a community. However, persons aged 50 and above are less likely to complete surveys.  

Today we pleased to welcome back Tauhric Brown, President and CEO of CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions to talk about the power of senior voices in surveys and what can be done to better engage those voices. 

Generations United Website: https://www.gu.org/  

To find state fact sheets and support groups in your area: https://www.grandfamilies.org/  

Email Tina: [email protected]  

Learn more about Joy’s House: www.joyshouse.org 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

To best serve older adults and increase the age-friendliness of your community, it is important to ask for and record information from older adults on a variety of topics. Collecting resident input provides valuable insight on how the public feels about community issues. This information can guide strategic decisions and priorities for your community. 

Engaging the community strengthens relationships, promotes transparency, and helps inform leaders on seniors’ actual needs. Furthermore, consistent data collection over time provides insights into shifting preferences, trends, and other needs within a community. However, persons age 50 and above are less likely to complete surveys.  

Today we pleased to welcome back Tauhric Brown, President and CEO of CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions to talk about the power of senior voices in surveys and what can be done to better engage those voices. 

CICOA Service Referral: https://cicoa.org/resource-center/online-request-referral-form/  

Call CICOA: 800-432-2422 

Donate to CICOA: https://cicoa.org/support/donate-now/  

Email Tina: [email protected]  

Learn more about Joy’s House: www.joyshouse.org 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

According to AARP, more than 90 percent of people aged 60 or older want to stay in their home and community for as long as possible. One primary barrier to aging in place is when the home is no longer accessible or presents a fall risk. Safe at Home, a service offered by CICOA helps individuals age in place through home accessibility modifications. Working with local contractors and funded by philanthropic dollars, CICOA’s Safe at Home department completes more than 60 home modifications projects each year.

This year CICOA received a $20,000 grant from Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership® (INHP), a local Community Development Financial Institution supporting affordable housing in Indianapolis specifically supporting CICOA’s Safe at Home Program, providing home safety and accessibility modifications that enhance mobility, promote independence, and prevent falls for older adults and people with disabilities.

Now, you may recall back in February, that we aired on episode about CICOA’s newly launched Pet Connect Pilot Program, a program that providing pet food and supplies to low-income and homebound seniors. Returning today, to both update us on the Pet Connect program and to discuss this an exciting new collaboration with INHP is Tauhric Brown, President & CEO of CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions.

CICOA Service Referral: https://cicoa.org/resource-center/online-request-referral-form/

Call CICOA: 800-432-2422

Donate to CICOA: https://cicoa.org/support/donate-now/

Email Tina: [email protected]

Learn more about Joy’s House: www.joyshouse.org

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you listened to last week’s episode you are aware that guided imagery meditation is an effective relaxation technique with clinically proven benefits for you mental and physical health. You may also recall that we promised to create an original guided imagery session for Terri. Well – we did it!  

So, listener, sit back relax and travel with us to a peaceful place – aka our producer’s imagination of Terri Stacy’s back yard… 

Email Tina: [email protected]  

Learn more about Joy’s House: www.joyshouse.org 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guided imagery is a relaxation technique that draws on your ability to visualize and daydream. It’s easy to practice whenever and wherever you are. All you have to do is imagine a peaceful scene in your mind. It works best if you incorporate as many sensory details as possible: what you see, hear, feel, smell, and taste. So you’re not just thinking it—you’re living it. When you engage your imagination in this way, your body and your nervous system will respond as if you’re actually there. This technique has been proven to reduce anxiety, pain, and depression symptoms. It also aids with sleep. 

Today Terri and Tina, discuss the benefits, mindsets, and challenges associated with guided imagery meditation to guide you as embrace and explore this valuable relaxation technique. 

Email Tina: [email protected]  

Learn more about Joy’s House: www.joyshouse.org 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Once a caregiver, always a caregiver – it changes you that much.”

That is a quote from Winnie the Pooh about weeds and flowers is a perfect summation of the message in Life Giving Dementia Care. With the right perspective, weeds are wondrous. With the right perspective, the caregiving experience can be one of confidence, compassion, growth, and even joy.

We are joined today by Toni Kanzler. Toni wears several hats: wife, mother, friend, CPA, entrepreneur, private school administrator, non-profit volunteer, and board member. But it was as a daughter that she had the privilege of being her mother’s caregiver during her years-long battle with dementia.

From the summer of 2013 until the spring of 2016, our guest Toni Kanzler was the primary caregiver for my mom, who was diagnosed with the Alzheimer’s form of dementia. As a new caregiver, she did not know what difficulties lied ahead, nor how to navigate them. For this reason, she is passionate about helping others have greater confidence and joy in their caregiving journey. And out of that passion – another hat. Toni is the author of Life Giving Dementia Care, released in 2020 – and is now available as an audiobook narrated by Toni herself.

Get the Book! (Life Giving Dementia Care by Toni Kanzler): https://www.amazon.com/Life-Giving-Dementia-Care-Confidence-ebook/dp/B08PYM45YD

Email Tina: [email protected]

Learn more about Joy’s House: www.joyshouse.org

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.