On this episode of The Aging Untold Podcast, Dugan Meredith, who documents caring for his mother-in-law online through the “Taking Care of Granny” social media feeds, joins us to talk about what it’s really like to become a caregiver and how his family found their way through it. 
Caring for an aging loved one can reshape a family, and it’s a responsibility more men are shouldering than ever before. 

Today, an estimated 21 million men are in caregiving roles, according to AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving. They are navigating the daily challenges of aging and illness alongside their own jobs and children.

Meredith’s mother-in-law, known online as Granny, was originally living with her oldest daughter in the Charleston, South Carolina, area. Meredith described the signs that led the family to seek a diagnosis. 

“She was experiencing symptoms, showing signs, forgetting how to go pick up the grandchildren from school, getting lost,” Meredith said. “Talking to random strangers and inviting them back to the house.” 

The turning point came when Granny tried to cook soup by putting it in a baking pan in the oven instead of putting it in a pot and placing it on the stove. Granny was later diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, also known as FTD. 

When caring for aging parents, families often divide into the “good kid” who handles everything and the “bad kid” who seems distant—or worse, acts out of control and manipulation. In this episode of the Aging Untold Podcast, our expert panel breaks down the hidden dynamics of sibling conflict, power of attorney mistakes, financial exploitation, and even extreme situations where family members take control of vulnerable parents against their wishes. Learn how to communicate across distances, divide caregiving duties fairly, and assemble the right professional team before a crisis strikes.

Did you know that oral hygiene isn’t just cosmetic? It could be one of the most overlooked tools in protecting your heart and brain.

In this episode of The Aging Untold Podcast, our experts break down the critical connection between poor dental health, chronic inflammation, cognitive decline, and cardiovascular disease.

Plus, learn practical caregiver strategies for helping loved ones with dementia brush their teeth, caring for dentures, and navigating dental care costs when Medicare doesn’t cover it.

In this episode of The Aging Untold Podcast, our experts talk honestly about sex and intimacy as we age. The experts explore why sex can be considered "medicine without a prescription," boosting heart health and releasing feel-good hormones. Learn how a drop in libido can be a treatable medical condition. Also, hear more on early warning signs for heart disease and discover how to navigate your physical connection safely.

Up to 60% of individuals with dementia will wander at least once, causing immense stress for families. In this episode of The Aging Untold Podcast, our experts explain what happens in the brain during exit-seeking behavior and how "the feet do the talking" when verbal communication fails. Learn why wandering is often a search for an unmet need or "home," and discover practical, immediate solutions—from visual cues like red stop signs to tracking devices on shoes—to keep your loved one safe.

In this episode of The Aging Untold Podcast, our experts unpack the friction that occurs when adult children try to step in and take over. We challenge the concepts of "role reversal" and "once a man, twice a child," arguing that older adults deserve support, autonomy, and the right to define their own quality of life. Discover how to balance safety concerns with respect for your parents' independence. 

Forget where you put your keys? In this episode of The Aging Untold Podcast, our experts tackle the widespread fear of cognitive decline. We break down Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), explaining why it is not an automatic path to dementia, how reversible issues like hormone changes or UTIs can trigger brain fog, and when to seek a professional evaluation.

In the inaugural episode of The Aging Untold Podcast, our panel of experts dives into the complex relationship between aging and body image. Explore how to shift your focus from societal "anti-aging" pressures to embracing physical functionality, building inner resilience, and owning your hard-earned wisdom. Learn why aging is your ultimate superpower and how to reclaim your visibility by speaking up and sharing your life's dings, dangs, and triumphs.