The Shape of Care

In this episode, Lisa Mullins, award-winning journalist and the podcast's advisor, interviews Mindy to get a behind the scenes look at The Shape of Care. In this animated conversation, you learn more about what motivated Mindy to create the podcast, and how she put all the pieces together!

This episode examines the critical role professional care workers play in guiding clients through the dying process. Ai-jen Poo, Co-Director of Caring Across Generations, weighs in on the long-term care crisis our country faces, and U.S. Senator Bob Casey discusses a series of long term care-related policies he’s fighting to pass. And Alex Spanko from the Green House Project puts out a call to action.

This episode chronicles the powerful relationship between Paula Fox, a dynamic Certified Nursing Assistant who cares for 94-year-old Rose Santilli, a resident at the Jewish Home in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It also explores alternative models for skilled nursing care.

This episode explores how Shazia Anwar helps Darlen Wagenius and her husband, Joe, address challenges in accessing quality long term care services. Shazia talks about her introduction to home care activism through her work with SEIU775. And we look at an innovative policy in Washington state and policy efforts at the national level.

Nearly 2.3 million care workers provide personal assistance and health care support to older adults and people with disabilities in their homes. This episode illuminates the relationship between Shazia Anwar, a professional home care worker in Washington state, and the woman she cares for, Darlen Wagenius. Shazia becomes an advocate for Darlen, and for all home care workers.

Trailer for Season 2 of The Shape of Care podcast.

In this episode, we talk with Robin Lipson, the Deputy Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Robin discusses some of the programs and policies for caregivers that her office manages. She notes the challenges that caregivers face, especially during this pandemic, as well as their creative and positive strategies to address them. Robin also describes the important work of the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition, a group of employers led by the Massachusetts Business Roundtable.

In this episode, we interview Donna Thomson, Canadian author, educator and advocate for family caregivers. She talks about a public scandal in nursing homes in Québec, Canada. And how government intervention resulted in some very positive changes for caregivers of nursing home residents and their loved ones.

In this episode, we interview Meg Flaherty-Griffith, a visiting geriatric physical therapist who does home visits with elders. What does it mean to provide high touch care during a pandemic? How has Meg's "job description" expanded to include simple tasks like buying milk for a client? And beyond what Meg does in the home with clients, how has this essential worker become the eyes and the ears for other medical practitioners who cannot see their patients?

In this episode, Roberta Rosenberg speaks openly about the traumatic accident her son experienced 2 1/2 years ago and his successful healing journey, with support from his family. And how, more recently, she has taken her mother out of a senior living facility, and moved her into her family's home. Roberta brings creativity and joy to this "new normal", as she spends 24/7 with her mother, engaging in creative projects and a lot of reminiscing. She also shares an epiphany that she's recently had about her many caregiving experiences.