The Caregiver Community

More than 63 million adults in the United States are caregivers. That’s more than one in four adults in our nation! They’re our family, our neighbors, and our co-workers. Are you among them? Do you know some of them? Or do you employ them? Join host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity and guest Mark Hensley, Associate State Director, Outreach & Advocacy, AARP North Carolina to hear more about the state of caregiving in America in 2025 – who we are, what we do, and what we need. 

Link to Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 - AARP Research Report

Advance care planning isn’t just a legal process – it’s a deeply human one. In this episode, we talk with an advance care planning expert about how emotions, relationships, and evolving life circumstances shape end-of-life decisions. Join host Karen Summey, MA, Project Manager, ACAPcommunity and guest Libby Dunahoo, Manager of the Advance Care Planning department for Northeast Georgia Health System as they explore what happens when someone changes their mind, how to update their plan, and how caregivers and healthcare agents can honor those wishes with clarity and compassion. This is a conversation about flexibility, trust, and putting people – not just paperwork – at the center of care. 

Gardening is more than just a physical activity; it’s also deeply emotional to those who pursue it across a lifetime. It’s part of a person’s identity, grounding, and place in the world. As physical challenges ensue through the years, it’s important to know how to adapt gardening activities and tools along the way. Gardeners and their care partners can plan ahead to ensure this meaningful part of life continues despite the many challenges.

In this episode host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity is joined by John Bowen, Retired Master Gardener, NCSU Cooperative Extension Volunteer. John is a retired science teacher and an active Master Gardener in Buncombe County in western North Carolina.  He and his wife and two cats moved to the Asheville area seven years ago where they put in a garden and remodeled a house, in that order.  “First things first,” John says.

Click here for a companion handout for this episode! 

Caregiving can push anyone past their limits. In this conversation, trauma-informed strategist Christy Shi Day shares how understanding our nervous system can help us stay calm, connected, and grounded — even in the most challenging moments. Learn simple, science-based tools for emotional regulation, clearer communication, and more resilient relationships with your aging parents, your family, and yourself.

Click here for a companion handout for this episode!

Helping Your Loved Ones Stay Strong and Healthy as They Age...In this episode of the Caregiver Community host Karen Summey, project manager for ACAPcommunity, is joined by Dr. Mitchell Straub, owner and founder of Vital Rehab and Wellness in State College, PA. Join Karen and Mitchell as they explore the intersection of well-being and physical therapy - and how care partners can spot signs that their loved ones need professional help to live their best years as they age.

For information on additional podcasts, FREE in-person programs for care partners (caregivers), and more, please visit the ACAPcommunity website here. No chapter in your area? Stay tuned! ACAP is growing nationwide. Check our website often for a chapter near you. Meanwhile, we hope you'll take advantage of our audio podcast archive, our YouTube archive, and more.

This episode of The Caregiver Community is made possible by our podcast sponsor, PACE@Home in Newton, NC, and sustaining partner EveryAge.

What does it mean to be a caregiver? What impacts exist for both the caregiver and the care recipient(s)? Join host Karen Summey, project manager for ACAPcommunity, and Frances Hall, Founder and Executive Director of ACAPcommunity, as they talk about the joys and challenges of caring for aging parents and other adult loved ones.

This episode of The Caregiver Community is made possible by our podcast sponsor, Pace @ Home in Newton, NC, and sustaining partner EveryAge.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How can we make sure the home is safe and comfortable for loved ones, regardless of age? Join host Karen Summey, project manager for ACAPcommunity, and Rev. Jim Luck, retired Aging in Place and Universal Design specialist, as they discuss areas of the home to consider and strategies for keeping loved ones safe in the home.

To view the slides from the presentation in this episode please click this link

This episode of The Caregiver Community is made possible by our sponsor, Pace @ Home in Newton, NC.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Supporting an aging loved one, particularly from a distance, can include unique challenges. In this podcast, Frances Hall, Founder & Executive Director of ACAPcommunity is joined by Dr. Cheryl Greenberg, a life coach for seniors and their families, presents insights into understanding loved ones’ needs from a distance, steps for effectively addressing the concerns, and some of the particular challenges of providing support from a distance.

This episode of The Caregiver Community is made possible by our sponsor, Pace @ Home in Newton, NC.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

LGBTQIA+ adults take on caregiving roles for older adults more frequently than their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Who are these caregivers and their lived experiences? What opportunities exist to support LGBTQIA+ people needing care and LGBTQIA+ caregivers? In this episode, Frances Hall, Founder & Executive Director of ACAPcommunity is joined by Dr. Joel G. Anderson, PhD, CHTP, FGSA – Professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Adjunct Associate Professor, Centre for Age-Related Medicine, Stavanger, Norway, and will explore caregiving in the LGBTQIA+ community and future insights.

This episode of The Caregiver Community is made possible by our sponsor, Pace @ Home in Newton, NC.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.