Caregiver Relief Podcast

In this moving episode of the Caregiver Relief Podcast, host Diane Carbo, RN sits down with dementia care expert and author Mary Underwood, who shares transformative insights from her powerful book “The Heart Remembers: Touching Lessons from the Dementia Journey.” 📖✨

Together, they explore what it truly means to offer person-centered care — not just checking boxes, but deeply honoring the emotional, spiritual, and human side of dementia. ❤️

👉 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• 🧓 What real person-centered care looks like (Hint: it’s about more than just choices and routines!)

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Why families are essential care partners, not just observers

• 👂 How to truly listen with your heart, especially when words fail

• 💡 The difference between “dementia care” and “human being care”

• 🙋‍♂️ How small, consistent emotional connections can lead to big changes in care outcomes

  
  

🌟 Mary shares tender, real-life stories, including:

• The power of using someone’s preferred name

• Creative ways to motivate someone who refuses care (hello, fake birthdays! 🎂)

• How to shift the question from “What the family needs to understand…” to “What do we need to understand?”

✨ Whether you’re a family caregiver, professional, or just starting your journey, this episode will remind you: the brain may forget, but the heart always remembers.

🔗 Listen now and join the conversation that’s changing how we care:

https://www.caregiverrelief.com/when-families-are-part-of-the-plan-person-centered-dementia-care-with-mary-underwood-episode-82/

#CaregiverRelief #DementiaCare #MaryUnderwood #TheHeartRemembers #PersonCenteredCare #FamilyCaregiver #DementiaSupport #CaregivingJourney #TheHeartRemembers 💗

Sharon Daltrey, is the Co-Founder and Director of Timeless Presents, a UK-based social enterprise creating dementia-inclusive activities that help families and care teams reconnect with their loved ones. Inspired by her father’s journey with Alzheimer’s,Sharon has dedicated her work to developing tools that reach beyond memory loss and create those treasured moments of spark and recognition—even when language and cognition have faded.

Caregiver Mastery helps family caregivers whose loved ones have dementia eliminate their stress, resentment, anger, and guilt, even if they think they’re stuck there. Our process helps move the caregiver  to a place of peace, acceptance, and a better quality of life for themselves and their loved ones.

🔗 Learn more: https://forfamilycaregivers.com/

📢 facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/forfamilycaregivers

In this powerful episode of the Caregiver Relief Podcast, Diane speaks with Nicole àBeckett and Dr. Shruti Roy, the inspiring co-founders of Hero Generation—a digital platform designed by caregivers, for caregivers. They share their deeply personal caregiving stories, the emotional and logistical challenges they faced, and how those experiences inspired them to build a solution that combines AI, community, and collaboration tools.

Together, they explore:

• The realities of caregiving in today’s healthcare system
  

• How Hero Generation helps families manage hospital discharges, medical tasks, and daily responsibilities
  

• The power of anticipatory grief and self-reflection
  

• How AI (through their assistant “Andrea”) offers 24/7 empathetic support
  

• Ways to build a care team and ask for help—without guilt
  

Whether you're a new caregiver or deep in the journey, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, supported, and hopeful for what technology can do to lighten the load.

🔗 Learn more and try Hero Generation for free: www.herogen.co

📢 Visit community.caregiverrelief.com to join the conversation

In Episode 78, we explore end-of-life planning with a death doula, a compassionate guide who provides emotional, spiritual, and practical support. Learn how they help individuals and families navigate this journey with dignity, comfort, and peace. 🎙️💜 #EndOfLifeCare #DeathDoula #Podcast

In this insightful episode, we explore meaningful and engaging activities for individuals with Alzheimer's dementia with our special guest, Judith A. Levy, ED.M., OTR/L—a highly experienced occupational therapist and author with over 40 years in adult rehabilitation.

Judy brings both professional expertise and personal experience, having cared for her own mother with Alzheimer's for 10 years. Together, we discuss how the right activities can enhance cognitive engagement, improve mobility, and even support fall prevention. From simple household tasks to interactive games, movement exercises, and sensory activities, Judy shares practical and therapeutic approaches that caregivers can easily implement.

We also dive into her book, Activities to Do with Your Parent Who Has Alzheimer's Dementia, a must-read guide filled with activity ideas, home safety tips, and caregiving strategies designed to make the journey easier and more rewarding.

Tune in to learn how you can create moments of joy, promote well-being, and navigate the caregiving journey with confidence.

Visit Caregiver Relief for more resources, and don’t forget—self-care is just as important as the care you provide. You are not alone!

Welcome to Caregiver Relief Podcast, hosted by Diane Carbo, RN, a dedicated advocate for family caregivers. In this transformative episode, we introduce Watch Our Own, a revolutionary app created by former caregivers Giancarlo Paolillo and Sherrie Simms. Drawing from their personal caregiving experiences, Giancarlo and Sherrie have developed a comprehensive tool to simplify caregiving and alleviate the challenges faced by over 56 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S.

This episode explores how the app's innovative features—task tracking, GPS, fall detection, secure communication, and AI-powered assistance—are redefining caregiving. Learn how Watch Our Own fosters collaboration among family members, empowers caregivers with practical solutions, and ensures peace of mind through advanced technology.

Join us as we discuss the app's potential to revolutionize caregiving, its roadmap for integrating AI and predictive analytics, and its mission to support caregivers around the world. Whether you’re a family caregiver or a professional seeking smarter caregiving solutions, this episode is packed with insights and hope.

Download Watch Our Own on iOS today, with Android coming soon, and start creating your care team. Together, we can transform the caregiving journey.

Welcome to Caregiver Relief with your host, Diane Carbo, RN. In this heartfelt episode, "A Son's Mission: Dr. George Ackerman's Journey from Loss to Legacy," we pay tribute to Sharon Riff Ackerman and explore the quest for a Parkinson’s cure. Dr. George Ackerman, a family caregiver, advocate, educator, and author, shares his personal story of love, loss, and resilience.

After the heartbreaking loss of his mother, Sharon, in 2020, Dr. Ackerman founded Together for Sharon, a movement dedicated to raising Parkinson’s awareness and advancing the hope for a cure. Through this initiative, he connects with Parkinson’s warriors, caregivers, and advocates to amplify their stories and inspire others.

This episode dives into Dr. Ackerman’s journey of caregiving, his insights on Parkinson’s, and his advocacy efforts. Hear about his latest books, including A Son’s Journey from Parkinson’s Disease Caregiver to Advocate, and the transformative impact of his work. Join us as we discuss the challenges of caregiving, the importance of raising awareness, and the hope for a future without Parkinson’s.

Visit Together for Sharon to learn more about his mission and become part of the movement. Let’s stand together in honoring Sharon’s legacy and fighting for a cure.

In this heartfelt episode, Diane Carbo shines a spotlight on the inspiring work of the Veteran Last Patrol Program, an organization dedicated to providing companionship, comfort, and dignity to veterans in hospice care. Joining Diane is John Davis, a passionate board member, who shares how this mission honors our nation's heroes during their final journey.

Discover the impactful initiatives such as:

John explains the profound meaning behind "Last Patrol" and shares touching moments that illustrate the program’s mission. Whether you're a veteran, a caregiver, or someone seeking a meaningful way to give back, this episode offers inspiration and ways to get involved.

📢 Spread the Word and learn how you can volunteer, donate, or support this incredible mission.

Visit: veteranlastpatrol.org

👂 Tune in, and let’s honor those who’ve served our country with the dignity and respect they deserve. ❤️

In this insightful video, we explore the profound impact that music can have on individuals with dementia, featuring Alexis Baker, a board-certified music therapist. Alexis shares her expertise on how music therapy can stimulate memory, improve mood, and enhance the overall well-being of those living with dementia. Learn about the therapeutic benefits of music and how it can be used as a tool to connect with loved ones who may be experiencing memory loss. Whether you're a caregiver or someone interested in the power of music, this video offers valuable information and practical tips.