When the time comes to consider long-term care or assisted living for an aging parent or loved one, the process can feel overwhelming. How do you know which senior living community is right? What should families look for? And what is it really like to work inside a long-term care or assisted living community?

In this episode of The Sandwich Generation, Sara and Lisa sit down with their very own Shannon Harris, who brings years of experience working in long-term care as a facility administrator and executive director. Together, they talk about the realities of working in long-term care, assisted living, nursing homes, and senior living communities — including the stress and challenges employees face and, more importantly, the passionate people who dedicate their careers to caring for older adults.

Whether you're just beginning to explore senior living options for an aging parent, actively touring assisted living communities, or suddenly finding yourself navigating a long-term care decision, this conversation offers practical information and perspective to help you feel more prepared.

We discuss what families should look for when choosing a senior living community, questions to ask during a tour, what to consider when moving a loved one into assisted living or long-term care, and important things families should keep in mind throughout the process.

If you're part of the Sandwich Generation and trying to balance caring for an aging parent while managing your own family, career, and responsibilities, this episode is for you.

Because choosing long-term care isn't just about finding a place for your loved one — it's about finding the right fit, building trust, and knowing they're cared for by people who truly care.

Be sure to subscribe, like, comment, and share The Sandwich Generation podcast, and if something in this episode resonates with you, go back and watch our other episodes for more helpful conversations about navigating aging and caregiving.

July is National Sandwich Generation Month, making it the perfect time to ask:

Are you part of the Sandwich Generation?

If you're balancing the responsibilities of caring for aging parents while also raising children, supporting adult kids, or managing the demands of everyday life, you're not alone.

In this special episode, we're looking back at some of the most impactful conversations from The Sandwich Generation Podcast in 2026. We've compiled highlights from this year's episodes to revisit valuable advice, practical resources, and encouraging conversations designed to help you navigate caregiving with confidence.

If a particular topic speaks to you, be sure to go back and watch or listen to the full episode for even more insight.

Thank you for being part of our community! Your support helps us reach more families who are navigating the caregiving journey.

Don't forget to:
• Subscribe so you never miss an episode.
• Like this episode.
• Leave us a comment and let us know which topic resonated with you most.
• Share this episode with someone who may need encouragement or support.

Together, we're empowering caregivers—one conversation at a time.

In this episode of The Sandwich Generation, hosts Sara McCord and Lisa Treadwell sit down with Zach Selby, founder of Stay Steering, Occupational Therapist, and certified rehabilitation driving instructor.

For many families, one of the most difficult conversations to have with an aging loved one is about driving. How do you know when someone is no longer safe behind the wheel? How do you balance independence with safety? And who should make that decision?

Zach shares how Stay Steering helps older adults maintain, improve, and evaluate their driving skills through professional assessments, training, and guidance. His objective approach takes the emotion out of the process, helping families gain clarity, confidence, and peace of mind during what can often be a stressful and sensitive transition.

Whether you're concerned about a parent, spouse, or loved one, this conversation provides valuable insight into recognizing warning signs, understanding driving evaluations, and exploring options that support both safety and independence.

Tune in to learn how Stay Steering is helping families navigate one of the most challenging aspects of aging with dignity, compassion, and expertise.

In this episode of The Sandwich Generation, Sara McCord and Lisa Treadwell sit down with Nadine McSpadden from Indiana Legal Services, Inc. to discuss the important work being done through the LAVA Project. Together, they explore how the program helps protect vulnerable older adults from exploitation, scams, and abuse, while also providing support and legal resources for families navigating difficult situations.

Sara, Lisa, and Nadine dive into why adult children should stay informed about the growing issue of elder exploitation, warning signs to watch for, and practical ways families can help safeguard their aging loved ones. This is an eye-opening and educational conversation every member of the sandwich generation should hear.

This month on The Sandwich Generation, Lisa and Sara sit down with Chef Matthew Mejia from Chefs For Seniors to tackle one of the most overlooked — yet essential — aspects of aging well: proper nutrition. As adult children juggle careers, kids, and caregiving, meal planning and preparation for aging parents can quickly become overwhelming.

Chef Matthew shares why nutrition plays such a critical role in maintaining strength, independence, and overall health for seniors — and how his personalized approach makes it simple, safe, and even enjoyable. From accommodating dietary needs to creating meals seniors actually look forward to, he explains how families can take this responsibility off their already full plates.

If you’re feeling stretched thin and worried about whether your loved ones are eating well, this episode offers practical solutions, peace of mind, and a fresh perspective on how support can look different — and better — than you might expect.

Chefsforseniors.com

Sara and Lisa sit down with aging advocate and speaker Marilyn Olson, former Executive Director of Villages OKC and the Oklahoma Governor’s representative to the State Council on Aging. Marilyn shares practical wisdom for adult children navigating life with aging parents and introduces the simple but powerful PACE Plan—Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency.

This thoughtful framework helps families think ahead, communicate clearly, and prepare for the unexpected when it comes to caregiving and decision-making. Marilyn also offers perspective on how we can all approach aging with intention, positivity, and preparedness.

Plus, she shares a few of her favorite documentaries that spark important conversations about aging, caregiving, and the brain: My Love Affair with the Brain, Being Mortal, and Age of Champions.

Whether you’re already supporting aging parents or just beginning to think about what the future might hold, this episode offers practical guidance and encouragement for the journey.

Lisa and Sara sit down with neuropsychologist and author Dr. Michelle Braun to explore practical ways to strengthen and energize your brain for everyday life. As former classmates from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, Lisa and Michelle reconnect to share both personal stories and professional insights while unpacking the five steps from Michelle’s book, The High Octane Brain.

Together, they discuss how small, intentional changes can improve focus, resilience, memory, and overall mental performance—especially for busy adults balancing work, family, and caregiving. This conversation blends science with real-life application, leaving listeners with simple, actionable strategies to support brain health and show up more fully in every season of life. Find more at drmichellebraun.com

Season 2 is here! Lisa and Sara kick off 2026 by sharing what’s new personally and professionally, the changes they’re embracing this year, and how they’re approaching New Year’s resolutions in the sandwich generation stage of life. They also reflect on an eye-opening online dementia course they recently completed and why education is such a powerful tool when caring for aging loved ones. Plus, a little fun as they celebrate cheering on our Hoosiers in the National College Football Championship. A thoughtful, upbeat start to Season 2.

Lisa and Sara sit down with their friend Todd Emrick of Clutter Cleaner to talk about something many adult children quietly struggle with—clutter and what it can reveal about an aging parent’s living situation. Together, they discuss how to recognize the signs that it may be time for a change, why clutter is often about more than “stuff,” and how to approach these conversations with empathy and respect. Todd shares practical insights on cleaning up, being intentional with a plan, and helping parents take steps that support safety, independence, and peace of mind. This episode offers thoughtful guidance for adult children navigating these delicate—but necessary—conversations.

In this episode of The Sandwich Generation, Sara and Lisa sit down with Nannette Blake, Family Advisor at Indiana Funeral Care, for an honest and empowering conversation about funeral preplanning. Nannette shares why planning ahead isn’t just a practical choice—it’s a thoughtful gift we give our loved ones.

Together, we explore what preplanning really looks like, how to start the conversation with aging parents, and the emotional and financial benefits of making decisions early. Whether you’re navigating these choices for a parent or considering your own plans, this episode provides clarity, compassion, and helpful guidance every step of the way.

Tune in to learn how preparing today can bring peace of mind for tomorrow.

Learn more at Indianafuneralcare.com