engAGINGconversations's podcast

You never know when you might become a family caregiver. Annette Berkovits never thought she would be in that role. In fact, at this point in her life, as a woman in her 70's, she thought someone might be needing to care for her. Her story is one of resilience and support for her family. And exemplifies the importance of Advance Care Planning conversations for adults, at any age. She has written several books in various genres. In her most recent book, Erythra Thalassa, Brain Disrupted she shares her journey, via poetry, through her son's devastating hemorrhagic stroke.

Listen today and hear Annette talk about:

• The importance of books, music, fresh air, and most importantly, human interaction
• Why the title, Erythra Thalassa
• How important hope can be
• Why it's important to put yourself in the shoes of the patient
• The importance of enjoying the little things

And check out the song her son, Jeremy wrote for his wife and daughters:

The Time I Spend With You

Find Annette on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest

Ken Stern is not only the host of a new podcast aiming to help family caregivers, he is a member of the Sandwich Generation. The new podcast, When I'm 64, is produced by The Longevity Project, an offshoot of the Stanford Center on Longevity. By sharing family caregiver stories, they hope to help other family caregivers understand that there are many ways to provide care and help our aging loved ones and the family caregivers.

The Stanford Center on Longevity is the world's leading think tank on longevity. They understand that greater longevity brings greater challenges, especially because our society is not set up to assist with the needs of a larger, aging population. When I'm 64 is hoping to help.

Listen as I talk with Ken to hear:

• How many family caregivers there are in the US
• Why you should NOT feel alone if you are a family caregiver
• What is needed to support family caregivers in longer-term roles as our society ages and lives longer
• Why employers must support their employees in their family caregiving roles
• What is needed to optimize longer lives
• How conversations about this can help you and your family come up with solutions that work for you

And check out When I'm 64 to hear some beautiful caregiver stories that may help you in your journey!

I'm sure you've heard of essential oils. A lot of people think they're witchy or woo woo-ey. But the reason they can be so effective is they are made up of chemical compounds and work at a cellular level. As in science! Denise Joswiak is not only a certified aromatherapist, she is also a registered nurse. And she uses evidenced based research to guide her aromatherapy practice. But she also says that most people who share essential oils have a personal story to share. Denise shares her personal experience and her professional expertise with us, discussing the use of oils as palliative care options.

Remember, that palliative care is defined by the Center to Advance Palliative Care as specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. It focuses on providing relief from symptoms and the stress of illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. Something essential oils can, and do offer.

Listen to today's episode to learn:

• How essential oils can be used in the palliative care space
• What oils can help
• Things to consider when choosing essential oils
• What the difference is between essential oils and hydrosols (science!)
• What her research showed regarding the use of essential oils for nausea, anxiety, and pain
• How to find a certified aromatherapist
• How to earn CEU's and become certified yourself
• How to get aromatherapy in your healthcare workplace
• some great suggestions for home made gifts!

You can find Denise here:

Essential Health MN, Instagram, and Facebook, or email her at [email protected]

Other resources:

National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy Alliance of International Aromatherapists

Essential Oil Nurses; EORN

Right click here to download and save this episode to your computer

Life is inevitable. And there are moments in life that define the path you take. BJ Miller had one of those life defining moments in college. He became disabled after an electrical injury. It was his experience as a patient that led him to become a physician. He was ready to give up on medicine after becoming disillusioned by our healthcare system, when he became aware of, and began practicing, palliative care.

On today's episode, you'll hear what BJ has to say about:

• Mettle Health–online palliative care and coaching–how to work with your doctor to achieve YOUR goals of care
• How medicine can work together with other disciplines to improve the things that can't be fixed
• How a crisis can move you (patient and family caregivers) to a place of new invention
• Why he thinks Covid has created an opportunity to help more patients and families decrease suffering
• Why it is important (on so many levels) to support family caregivers

And check out these resources:

A Beginner's Guide To The End The Center for Dying and Living

Follow BJ on Twitter

What happens when you are a woman who is finally figuring out her life, in a committed relationship, about to have a baby, and then diagnosed with cancer? Jaime literally lost her voice for months while undergoing treatment for throat cancer, so she began writing. blogging her experiences and feelings.

Listen today to hear Jaime's story and find out:

• Why being authentic is important (or should be) to you
• Why you need to know what palliative care is
• Why (if you are a parent) you are an aging parent, no matter how old you are

And maybe start asking yourself:

• How are you showing up for your life?
• When do you feel like you are happiest?
• Conversely, when do you feel at your worst?

Find Jaime here:

Jaimethinksaydo.com, Instagram

Death doula, and author, Rebecca Munn is an optimist. She was raised by optimists. Yet she encourages conversations about death. And talks to people about cancer. Why? Because it's who she is.

Her first book, The Gift of Goodbye: A Story of Agape Love , she shares the journey she took with her mom after her second cancer diagnosis. Rebecca talks about the challenges that so many caregivers face: juggling parenthood, career, and geographic barriers to provide care to her Mom, and Dad, at different times. In her newest book, All of Us Warriors: Cancer Stories of Survival and Loss , she talks with others about their cancer experiences. And what they want others to know.

Listen to this episode to learn:

• What agape love is
• How you can be an optimist and talk about this stuff
• An important question you can ask your dying loved one
• Why staying engaged with others is important

Facebook, Twitter

Other resources Rebecca mentions:

Parnasus Books

Signs by Laura Lynn Jackson

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

How do you feel about being dismissed? Or ignored. Or being told what to do…This is often how our aging population is treated. And if we don't change things, this will happen to you as well.

Stephanie Erickson is a social worker, certified Alzheimer's disease treatment specialist, and author of a new book titled Plan For Aging Well. Check out this episode of engAGING Conversations, and learn about the importance of:

• early communication about wishes (verbal and written)
• the financial impact on family caregivers
• "Team caregiving"
• becoming an advocate for your loved one AND yourself

Follow her on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

Hey Stranger, where ya been? I know I've been in absentia for the better part of the last 3 months and really my only excuse is…Covid.

No, I didn't have it, but I have been struggling with thoughts about what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. As we all know, life has changed. And in some ways for the better. So I thought I'd fill you in on my summer, and where engAGING Conversations is headed.

Stay tuned and find out more about:

• palliative care
• dōTERRA essential oils

And thank you

Samuel Shem, aka Stephen Bergman MD, wrote The House of God after surviving his medical residency. 40 years later, he reprises the characters for his most recent novel, Man's 4th Best Hospital.

He says the best way to talk about history is through fictional writing. In Man's 4th Best Hospital, he shares his observations for the need for healthcare reform, using the humor, enthusiasm, sadness, and honesty of some of the beloved characters from The House of God. This book will definitely give you an insiders view of what's wrong with today's healthcare system, and why physician (and nurse) burnout is so common.

Listen today and find out:

• What the electronic medical record is really about
• What he feels is missing in healthcare
• What is is going to take to fix it
• What unique class he teaches to NYU med students

Joan Lunden is a well-known, influential public figure and author. I talk with her today about her family caregiver experience, as well as her newest book Why Did I Come Into This Room? an honest look into what it's like to be an aging woman.

Listen today to hear:

• Why Joan is the national spokesperson for A Place for Mom
• How to start a conversation with your parents
• What's the secret of life? (According to Joan's mom)
• Why you should write your own eulogy and obituary
• Why we need to talk candidly about changes associated with aging

Find out more about Joan Lunden find her other books, and follow her on social media Facebook InstagramTwitter