Welcome Kristina Lubofsky, gerontologist and creator of the Busy Minds Box, providing crafts, puzzles, games and more for older adults to help keep their brains stimulated. Kristina joins us to share her journey helping three grandparents with dementia and her lifelong passion for enriching the lives of older adults.

Busy Minds Box website where you can find all the information to subscribe, or shop individual products and activities.
https://www.busymindsbox.com

Kristina's fantastic blog.
https://www.busymindsbox.com/blogs/news 

The Dalai Lama says,  "A happy mind is a healthy mind, and a healthy mind is good for the body." 

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Illustration by Erica Karlin Studio

Jennifer sits her father down and chats about his memories of Christmas and other childhood moments. Sioux discovers a treasure from her mother's very early years that prompts her to remember that her mother was once a tiny little girl. It's remarkable how precious those simple times were and how we could all benefit from slowing down and thinking about our parents as children.
Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year and that 2023 ushers in a bit more simplicity and self reflection in your life.



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Illustration by Erica Karlin Studio

Where should our elderly parents spend the rest of their lives? In their homes? In our homes? In assisted living? Retirement Community with levels of care? how do we make these decisions? How does this puzzle fit together?
Special guest, Krista Nay, Sales and Marketing Director at ECS, with over thirty years experience in retirement communities, shares with us an abundance of sound advice on what questions to ask, and what to look for in a retirement community while embracing the gift of giving your parent the opportunity to live their best life, and perhaps join a Bucket List Club!   ;-)

ECS For Seniors  https://www.ecsforseniors.org
The Covington  https://www.ecsforseniors.org/covington
Music & Memory     https://musicandmemory.org
Dakim Brain Fitness   https://www.dakim.com

The Mather Institute’s Landmark Study on Life Plan Communities
https://www.matherinstitute.com/agewellstudy/

Long-Term Care Ombudsman (California)
https://aging.ca.gov/Programs_and_Services/Long-Term_Care_Ombudsman/

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (National)
https://acl.gov/programs/Protecting-Rights-and-Preventing-Abuse/Long-term-Care-Ombudsman-Program

Fitch Ratings on Retirement Communities
https://www.fitchratings.com/search/?query=retirement%20communities

It’s Never Too Late (iN2L) Content-Driven Engagement for Older Adults
https://in2l.com

California Dept of Aging
https://aging.ca.gov/Providers_and_Partners/Area_Agencies_on_Aging/Contracts_Download_Page/

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Illustration by Erica Karlin Studio

It can be stressful asking for help when overwhelmed by life. The time to be brave and reach out is truly when you are sandwiched between taking care of your parent while juggling a career, rearing  your own kids, or going through a divorce, or, in our guest's case, all of the above. Meet Amy, a good friend who advises us to open up to people in our communities to find our tribe of helpers. They are out there... if you seek it.

A good place to start is with these resources:

Alzheimer's Association Helpline: 800-272-3900
https://www.alz.org/help-support/resources/helpline

9 Tips for Finding the Right Therapist
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-find-a-therapist

Eldercare Locator- Public Service of the US Administration on Aging
https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx


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Illustration by Erica Karlin Studio

Special guests Lori and Zach from R. Zach Jewelers join us to share helpful advice about what to do with family heirloom jewelry. From bangles and baubles to pristine cut diamonds, there are many ways to enjoy these heirlooms or give joy to others while honoring those who wore them before us.

Check out R. Zach jewelry on Instagram: @rzachjewelry



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Illustration by Erica Karlin Studio

It happens to the best of us... we gradually take on the traits of our parents. Join in for a few laughs.





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Illustration by Erica Karlin Studio

Our siblings are here! And we are grateful we have them to help care for our parents. It's funny how the roles have shifted and now the kids are the parents and the parents are in, as Shakespeare called it, "second childishness."



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Illustration by Erica Karlin Studio

We are having a very good hair day with our special guest, cosmetologist, Trish Schack, owner of the More Than Hair salon in Santa Ana, CA. Trish has multi-generational clients of over thirty years and shares with us her knowledge of aging hair care. She graces us with a wealth of information and laughs regarding our relationship with hair and how important it is to our psyche at every age. And, stay tuned for the end when she shares a hilarious personal story about her in-laws, a banana, and a wedding. 
All information is for entertainment purposes only. Be sure to check with your stylist for any concerns you have about your own hair.

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Illustration by Erica Karlin Studio

Sioux and Jennifer need to blow off a little bit of steam and commiserate about the small annoyances that plague their daily lives. It's funny, it's frustrating, it's for real.

Follow us on Instagram at Sandwiched! Podcast, because we would love for you to blow off some steam too. 


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Illustration by Erica Karlin Studio

Special guest, Branka Cvejic, reminds us of what is most important when spending time with parents  who have dementia. She figured out a way to have quality time with her dad while coping with the stress and frustration that comes along with the ride.

She mentions the book, Creating Moments of Joy Along the Alzheimer's Journey,  by Jolene Brackey, as a means to help bring positivity to an otherwise overwhelming situation.


Music by Pixaby

Illustration by Erica Karlin Studio