Summary: In this deeply personal conversation, Michele Magner interviews Jason Ott, author of 'No Cure, No Problem', discussing the art of healing and the importance of addressing chronic illness through a holistic lens. Jason shares his personal journey of caregiving for his mother, the gaps in the current healthcare system, and the significance of understanding health beyond traditional metrics.

Jason also shares about his experience when he decided to stop stuffing down emotions with drugs and alcohol and consciously participate in his own healing.

He shares his eight principles of healing and speaks to the importance of the spiritual component of health. Our discussion also touches on the challenges of changing relationships and the importance of community support for caregivers.

There are so many chilling mic drop moments from Jason in this conversation I encourage you to listen through the end.

Takeaways

• Chronic illness is often misunderstood and can be reframed.
• The current healthcare system often focuses on 'sick care' rather than true health.
• Personal experiences shape our understanding of health and healing.
• Herbalism can play a significant role in supporting organ health.
• It's essential to look beyond the scale, or other obvious markers, when assessing health.
• Spiritual beliefs can influence healing and recovery.
• Community and connection are vital for caregivers.
• Making lifestyle changes can prevent chronic illness.
• Understanding one's own health history is crucial for healing.
• Filling your own cup is necessary to care for others effectively.

Keywords

healing, chronic illness, caregiving, healthcare, herbalism, wellness, personal growth, resilience, spirituality, community

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Healing and Chronic Illness

02:13 Personal Journey: The Impact of Family Illness

07:23 The Flaws in Current Healthcare Systems

11:09 Understanding Health Beyond the Scale

17:38 Reframing Chronic Illness: A New Perspective

25:04 The Role of Herbalism in Healing

30:37 Finding the Right Professionals for Health

32:02 Nutrient Absorption and Health

33:56 The Eight Healing Principles

36:40 The Spiritual Component of Healing

40:51 Changing Relationships with Alcohol

45:35 Navigating Social Changes and Isolation

50:14 Identifying Personal Kryptonite

54:09 The Ripple Effect of Change

01:00:04 Self-Care for Caregivers - you are not exempt

Connect with Jason Ott:

Buy the BOOK

Visit his Website

Connect on LinkedIn

Connect on Instagram

Inspired Caring is THE family support & education program that helps families feel calm and confident to make better decisions faster.

Inspired Caring is also offered as an annual membership tobusinesses to provide for the families they work with.

Connect with Michele Magner:

Website: www.InspiredCaring.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspiredcaring/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michele.magner.90
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-magner-60a99089/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inspiredcaringwithmichelem3138
Custom podcast music written and produced by Colin Roberts. He does custom songs for any occasion.

Summary In this episode I share about the 3 W's that can tear people up and tear families apart. The 'What, Where, and When' of family plans can create a lot of conflict!

Of these three things, narrow down on anything that feels clear in each category. From there which category is giving you the most heartburn? Is there one thing it's time to release the reins on to facilitate collaboration?

Takeaways

• Families often struggle with decision-making about activities and care.
• The 'what, where, and when' framework can help clarify family plans.
• Feeling overwhelmed by choices can lead to frustration and conflict.
• Collaboration is key to resolving family disagreements.
• Sometimes it's beneficial to let others take the lead in decision-making.
• Embracing change and celebrating milestones is important for emotional well-being.
• Finding clarity in family plans can reduce stress and enhance enjoyment.
• Personal experiences can provide valuable insights into family dynamics.
• Celebrating achievements fosters a sense of community and support.
• Acknowledging emotions is part of the human experience.

Inspired Caringis THE family support & education program that helps families feel calm andconfident to make better decisions faster.

Inspired Caring is also offered as an annual membership tobusinesses to provide for the families they work with.

Connect with Michele Magner:

Website: www.InspiredCaring.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspiredcaring/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michele.magner.90
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-magner-60a99089/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inspiredcaringwithmichelem3138
Custom podcast music written and produced by Colin Roberts. He does custom songs for any occasion.

Summary: In this episode of the Inspired Caring Podcast, Michele Magner speaks with Erin Render, Founder and CEO of Legato Living Franchises.

We discuss Erin's journey into senior care and the several God moments that led to the creation of Legato Living, a residential memory care franchise.

Legato Living offers the unique model of care of a smaller environment for people living with dementia. This supportive environment helps meet the needs of residents, families and teams, while offering Legato Living Owners a connected way to impact their local community.

Erin shares the many opportunities and benefits of franchising in the senior care industry. Legato Franchise Owners are from various backgrounds, so they focus on providing high level training and ongoing support to ensure success for everyone, especially the residents.

Erin emphasizes the importance of training, communication and support for families as well which were her reasons for choosing Inspired Caring as their family support and education solution.

I am so pleased to have had this conversation with Erin!

If your loved one is living with dementia, I encourage you to see if there is a Legato Living in your area. If you are ready to explore business opportunities and create a special home for people in your community, Legato Living in your answer. All of the contact links are below.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Erin Render and Legato Living

05:42 Erin's Journey into Senior Care

10:23 The Unique Model of Residential Memory Care

15:07 Daily Life in Residential Memory Care

17:28 Understanding Length of Stay and Family Support

24:23 Franchising Legato Living: Growth and Opportunities

30:55 Ongoing Education and Community Support

33:43 Advice for Caregivers on the Journey

Takeaways

The transition to Legato Living was driven by a desire for autonomy in care.

Smaller memory care environments can reduce anxiety for residents.

Daily life in residential memory care is unpredictable but supportive.

Families often struggle with the decision to move loved ones into care.

Effective communication is crucial for families and caregivers in memory care.

Franchising allows for a more personal investment in care homes.

Ongoing education for caregivers is essential for quality care.

The importance of focusing on the individual needs of residents.

Support for families is as important as care for residents.

Connect with Legato Living Franchises

Schedule a Call with Legato Living Franchises

Find a Legato Living Home Near You

Connect with Erin Render HERE

Inspired Caring is the family support & education program that helps families feel calm and confident to make better decisions faster.

Inspired Caring is also offered as an annual membership to businesses who provide all of the valuable content to the families they work with as added value.

Connect with Michele Magner:

Website: www.InspiredCaring.com

E-mail: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspiredcaring/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michele.magner.90 https://www.facebook.com/michele.magner.90

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-magner-60a99089/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inspiredcaringwithmichelem3138

Custom podcast music written and produced by Colin Roberts. Colin creates custom songs for any occasion!

Summary

This is a Conversation with Caregivers (TM) episode with Nicole Smith, Author of “Diagnosis Dementia; Your Guide for Eldercare Planning and Crisis Management”. Nicole shares with Michele Magner her personal journey through caregiving for her mother who lives with Alzheimer's Disease.

Have the police ever been involved when you’re trying to care for someone you love? She shares with us 2 tough situations where the police had to get involved.

The discussion covers the complexities of navigating legal, medical, and emotional challenges in elder care, the importance of building a support network, and the lifestyle changes that can impact health. Nicole emphasizes the need for awareness and proactive planning in caregiving, while also sharing humorous and poignant stories from her experiences.

By the way, she’s read over 50 books about dementia and caregiving and has done book reviews on them! Purchase her book and connect with her using the links below.

Takeaways

I wrote the book I could not find.

Caregiving is everywhere.

You need to talk about dementia.

Pay attention to your parents.

My holy trinity of sanity is yoga, beer and chocolate.

You can't make this up.

The earlier you start, the better.

It's a marathon, not a sprint.

You have to build your support network STAT.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Caregiving and Dementia

03:41 Navigating Family Dynamics in Caregiving

06:58 The Complexities of Diagnosis and Treatment

09:43 The Overwhelm of Caregiving Responsibilities

12:50 Building a Support Network

15:34 Transitioning to Memory Care

18:49 Crisis Moments in Caregiving

25:03 Navigating Caregiving with Patience

32:44 Understanding Dementia and Its Impact

36:30 Building a Support Network (so important, it's talked about twice!)

42:39 Essential Legal Preparations for Caregivers

Keywords

dementia, caregiving, elder care, memory care, support network, Alzheimer's, family dynamics, crisis management, lifestyle changes, health

Connect with Nicole:

Purchase Diagnosis Dementia on Amazon HERE

Visit her Website

Instagram Dementia Book Review Here

Connect on LinkedIn

As mentioned in this episode, check out Working Daughter by Liz O’Donnell Here.

Learn more about Wine Women & Dementia.

Podcast Music Written & Produced by Colin Roberts.

Summary

In this conversation, Lesley Brandt from The Move Coordinators and I discuss the intricacies of senior move management. We talk about the emotional challenges faced by seniors during the moving process, the importance of empathy, and the need to identify belongings that are truly cherished.

Her unique approach actually blew my mind as a totally different mindset for people as they go through this process! Even though I'm not moving, I've already begun to go through my home with this mindset to begin to curate our spaces for my family.

Lesley outlines a structured approach to downsizing, emphasizing the significance of human connection and gratitude throughout the process. Our conversation also touches on the psychology of belongings, the challenges of letting go, and the importance of having open conversations between adult children and their aging parents regarding future moves.

Takeaways

Lesley Brandt emphasizes the emotional journey of moving for seniors.

The process begins and ends with gratitude, fostering a personal connection.

Identifying items that are needed, used, or loved is crucial in downsizing.

Understanding the psychology of belongings helps in the decision-making process.

Photographs are often the hardest items for seniors to let go of.

Creating a partnership plan is essential for a smooth transition.

Human connection is vital during the moving process.

The Move Coordinators aim to recreate familiar spaces in new homes.

Open conversations between adult children and parents can ease the transition.

Resources for senior move management are available and should be utilized.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Senior Move Management

03:31 The Emotional Journey of Downsizing

06:23 Identifying Favorites: Need, Use, Love

09:33 The Purpose of Belongings and Their Impact

12:19 Understanding Perceived Value and Resale

15:32 Navigating the Challenge of Photographs

18:12 The Discovery Process: Building Connections

21:32 Creating a Custom Move Plan

24:23 The Move Day Experience

27:15 Post-Move Wrap-Up and Gratitude

30:16 Conversations with Adult Children

33:31 Final Thoughts on Senior Move Management

Contact Lesley with The Move Coordinators to learn more how she can support your family with this big move!

Podcast music created, recorded and produced by Colin Roberts Music

Summary

In this conversation, Heather Kearney shares her journey from her honorable military service to becoming a mindfulness and wellness coach, supporting others to meet their health goals. Heather leads us in a quick meditation that you can use any time to recenter and calm your nervous system.

She discusses the importance of self-care, mindfulness techniques, and the mind-body connection, emphasizing how these practices can help individuals manage stress and improve their overall well-being. Heather also introduces her 'Get Happy, Get Healthy' program, which focuses on personalized wellness strategies, and encourages listeners to give themselves permission to change and grow.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

10:03 Mindfulness Techniques and Meditation

20:18 The Science of Meditation and Breathing

31:55 Get Happy, Get Healthy Program

42:42 Embracing Change and Personal Growth

Takeaways

Heather's journey from military service to wellness coaching is especially inspiring after being told by a HS Guidance counselor she wasn't smart enough to go to college.

Mindfulness techniques can be tailored to individual needs.

Self-care is essential for managing stress and improving well-being.

The mind-body connection plays a crucial role in health.

Nutrition impacts mental and physical health significantly.

Everyone has the power to make choices that affect their lives.

It's important to find pockets of time for self-care.

Meditation can be accessible to everyone, regardless of experience.

Personal growth requires self-compassion and permission to change.

Community and support are vital for personal development.

Connect with Heather and learn more about her Get Happy, Get Healthy Program.

You can call her: 402-819-6008 or

E-mail: [email protected]

Summary

In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Monique Nugent and Michele discuss the often-taboo topic of bowel movements, emphasizing the importance of understanding stool health and its implications for overall well-being. This is such an important topic that in her book, Prescription for Admission, Dr. Nugent has a chapter dedicated to it called Why Number 2 is Number 1!

They explore the composition of stool, the significance of regular bowel movements, and the various factors that can lead to constipation. The discussion also highlights the dangers of severe constipation and impaction, as well as practical strategies for maintaining healthy bowel habits through diet, hydration, and movement. The episode encourages listeners to pay attention to their own bowel health and the bowel movements for those who can't advocate for themselves.

Takeaways

We need to be talking about poop more.

Regular bowel movements can change your life.

Stool is made of undigested food, water, and cells.

Constipation can lead to serious medical issues.

You should have bowel movements every day.

Movement is a big factor in bowel health.

Fiber and water are key for good bowel health.

Pay attention to your bowel movements.

Don't just flush it, look at it.

Your stool can tell you a lot about your health.

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Discussing Bowel Movements

02:57 Understanding Stool Composition and Health

13:52 Recognizing Constipation and Its Causes

23:51 Strategies for Maintaining Healthy Bowel Movements

29:19 Final Thoughts on Bowel Health and Resources

Keywords

bowel movements, constipation, stool health, digestive health, fiber intake, hydration, medical conditions, bowel movement frequency, dietary changes, health awareness

Website: https://drmoniquenugent.com/

Summary: In this episode I share about the emotional journey of acceptance when caring for loved ones as their needs increase. It's so important to recognize and adapt to the changes in our loved ones, moving away from the painful 'used to' mindset (those words can really sting), and shifting expectations by embracing the present. While navigating relationships amidst change can be tough, it is possible, and I share one of my techniques to move along the scale of acceptance.

Takeaways

Checking in with ourselves is crucial for emotional health.

Moving along the scale of acceptance eases caregiving challenges.

The words 'used to' can hinder our ability to provide care.

Relationships evolve, and acceptance is key to navigating change.

Resistance to change can lead to anger and resentment.

Focusing on the present can enhance our emotional well-being.

Finding joy in new behaviors can shift our perspective.

Professional caregivers bring a different perspective to changes.

Creating new connections can lead to calmer interactions.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Checking In with Ourselves

00:31 The Scale of Acceptance: Understanding Change

01:56 The Impact of 'Used To' on Caregiving

04:19 Navigating Relationships Amidst Change

07:15 Acceptance: A Journey for Families

08:10 The Danger of Resistance

09:49 Embracing the Present: A Shift in Perspective

12:45 Finding Joy in the New Normal

16:10 The Role of Caregivers in Acceptance

18:41 Conclusion: Creating Connections in the Present

Keywords:acceptance, dementia, caregiving, emotional health, relationships, change, self-care, family dynamics, aging, mental well-being

Podcast Music byColin Roberts Music. Colin creates personalized custom songs for every occasion!

Summary

In this conversation, Jeannine Bryant with Easy Rightsizing and I delve into the concept of 'rightsizing,' (I love that term) a multi-layered process that goes beyond mere decluttering. Our stuff holds a lot of emotional meaning to us. We talk about the challenges faced by older adults as they downsize, the importance of family dynamics in the decluttering process, and practical steps to make the transition smoother.

Jeannine shares insights from her experience working with older adults and emphasizes the significance of letting go of items while preserving memories. In her book “Keep the Memories Not the Stuff” you can embark on the right sizing journey with organization and compassion to keep the peace in your family.

She encourages us to "donate along the way" in life so when donations are made, they're not decades outdated and are more likely to find a good home.

Mic Drop "You can't put 10lbs of flour in a 5lb sack" - meaning we can't move all the stuff from bigger houses into smaller homes or apartments. Love this phrase!

She even created "A Year of Letting Go" calendar to help you walk through this process month by month!

Keywords

right sizing, decluttering, emotional aspects, family dynamics, practical steps, letting go, meaningful connections, resources, senior living, downsizing

Takeaways

• Right sizing is more than just decluttering; it's a layered process.

• Emotional challenges arise when downsizing, especially after losing a spouse.

• Having a partner to walk through the decluttering process makes it easier.

• It's important to prioritize people over stuff during transitions.

• Memories are not in the items we own, but in our experiences.

• Starting early with the right sizing process can alleviate stress later.

• Utilizing a calendar can help focus decluttering efforts throughout the year.

• The power of counting can help individuals realize how much they truly have.

• Letting go of items can be a way to help others in the community.

• Creating meaningful connections through gifting items can enhance relationships.

Sound Bites

"It's about so much more than our stuff."

"It's a real challenge."

"It's a privilege to walk alongside people."

"One room per month is doable."

"Your stuff doesn't owe you anything."

"Memories are in us, not in the stuff."

"Start with the low-hanging fruit first."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Right Sizing

02:52 Understanding the Right Sizing Process

06:04 The Emotional Aspects of Decluttering

08:46 Navigating Family Dynamics in Decluttering

12:08 Practical Steps for Right Sizing

14:58 The Importance of Letting Go

18:04 Creating Meaningful Connections Through Decluttering

20:58 Tools and Resources for Right Sizing

24:11 Final Thoughts on Right Sizing

Summary

"We've normalized crisis" was Allison O'Shea's first mic drop moment in this conversation where she inspires us to be educated consumers, learning our options, so we can be a strong Aging Ally to make the best choices for our family members!

As a former Senior Living Executive Director and current Aging Advisor, Allison knows first hand how people can best be prepared when it comes to aging. She wants to ensure that you and your loved ones are set up for success by making sure families have the right information and creating a supportive space to have the hard conversations.

Being proactive doesn't have to be intimidating. The Readiness Roadmap(TM) for what you need to know is outlined in her book, Openly Aging: 4 Pillars to Keep Control of Your Aging Journey⁠.

In this conversation, we also explore expectation management and she shares with us her 4 Pillars of Aging - Social Support, Home, Social Engagement and Supportive Services.

Visit Openly Aging to review your Preparedness Checklist and connect with Allison about how she can help your family!

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Aging and Its Complexities

01:47 The Role of an Aging Advisor

04:06 Confronting Denial in Aging

05:47 Education as a Tool for Empowerment

07:44 Becoming an Aging Ally

10:24 Empowering Aging with Dignity

16:29 Understanding Unique Aging Journeys

22:29 The Four Pillars of Aging

27:42 Navigating Support Systems and Services

40:35 Fostering Open Conversations about Aging