Southern Caregiver Resource Center

In this month’s special episode, Roberto and Martha mark a milestone: 40 years of Southern Caregiver Resource Center serving family caregivers in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Listen to their conversation about how SCRC grew from a staff of three in 1987 into an organization now reaching over 146,000 people annually through education, the importance of building a network of support beyond family members, and how the shift to virtual service delivery has expanded access to counseling, support groups, and respite care. They also look ahead to future growth, including partnerships with local employers to reach working caregivers earlier and a greater focus on multi-generational families.

Keywords: anniversary, iCare portal, virtual services, working caregivers, caregiver burnout

In this month's episode, Roberto chats with Robert Betancourt, Founder and Director of SoCal Stroke Survivors, a nonprofit organization based in Chula Vista dedicated to enhancing the lives of stroke survivors and their families through education, advocacy, and compassionate care. 

Listen to their conversation about the causes, warning signs, and lasting impact of strokes - the leading cause of disability worldwide - and why acting fast when symptoms appear can mean the difference between recovery and permanent damage. 

Robert shares his own powerful story of surviving a major stroke in 2022 and how that experience inspired him to start SoCal Stroke Survivors, while Roberto highlights the critical role family caregivers play in a stroke survivor's recovery and the support services available through SCRC.

Keywords: aphasia, vascular dementia, stroke recovery, caregiver support, disability

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Misti Rodriguez-Gyamfi, Trauma Injury Prevention and Trauma Survivors Network Program Coordinator at UC San Diego Health. Listen to their conversation about practical strategies for preventing falls in the home, one of the leading causes of injury and death among adults over 65. Misti shares tips on footwear, lighting, rugs, grab bars, and room-by-room safety assessments. They also discuss how to keep older adults with dementia physically and socially active, and highlight free and low-cost community resources available to San Diego caregivers.

Keywords: fall prevention, home safety assessment, grab bars, aging in place

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Lilly Ribner, a graduate social work student, breast cancer survivor, and family caregiver. Listen to their conversation about navigating the emotional and practical challenges of caring for a mother with Alzheimer's while raising young children and managing her own cancer diagnosis. Lilly shares how she found support through SCRC's counseling services, the importance of involving children in caregiving in age-appropriate ways, and how her personal experience inspired her to pursue a career in social work to help others facing similar journeys.

Keywords: sandwich generation, anticipatory grief, caregiver burnout, caregiver isolation

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Adrianna Yemhatpe, Director of Social Services at Travelers Aid Society of San Diego, an organization that has been connecting vulnerable populations to critical services for nearly 125 years. Listen to their conversation about free transportation options available to low-income older adults and people with disabilities in San Diego County, including paratransit, rideshare, and a volunteer driver program that compensates caregivers for rides they're already providing. They also explore supported services like orientation and mobility training, travel training, and organized social outings that help seniors maintain independence and quality of life.

Keywords: paratransit, caregiver respite, senior mobility, social isolation

As we celebrate Men's Health month, we are revisiting a conversation about how to support the male caregiver. In this episode, we explore the unique challenges male caregivers face, from discomfort with hands-on personal care to the emotional stress they often feel pressure to hide. We also share practical advice on destigmatizing the ask for help, finding male-specific support groups, and why reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Junie Baratti, Director of Operations at A Caring Touch Home Care, an organization specializing in senior care management with innovative approaches to supporting older adults and their families. Listen to their conversation about the emotional and practical challenges family caregivers face when deciding to bring professional help into the home. They explore strategies for easing that transition, including how to share personalized information about a loved one's preferences and how to use redirection techniques to create meaningful, calming experiences for those living with dementia.

Keywords: respite care, redirection techniques, Alzheimer's disease, behavioral symptoms, caregiver guilt

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with David Schwartz, an attorney with Elder Law and Advocacy, where he supports seniors on a broad spectrum of legal issues, from fraud to conservatorships to elder abuse, social security benefits, landlord and tenant disputes, and Medicare. Listen to their conversation about importance of planning ahead through legal documents like advance healthcare directives and powers of attorney, which allow trusted individuals to make medical or financial decisions if someone becomes unable to do so.

Keywords: law, legal planning, end of life documents, lawyer

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Eve Lefkowitz, Founder and Executive Director of Conversations To Remember, a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to alleviating senior loneliness and isolation through weekly intergenerational video calls with young adult college student volunteers. Listen to their conversation about fostering meaningful connections and building surrogate families for those in need. 

Keywords: chosen family, loneliness, isolation, intergenerational

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Dr. Barry Jacobs, a clinical psychologist, family therapist, author, and former family caregiver for his step-father and mother. Listen to their discussion about navigating complex relationships when caregiving, including how long-standing conflict can intensify stress and resentment during caregiving. They emphasize that negative feelings about caregiving is normal, and suggest ways to set boundaries and find support systems.

Keywords: conflict, strained relationships, burnout