Do you know what you need to do immediately after your loved one passes? Many caregivers don't. Are you worried about missing important tasks or feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of administrative, financial, and legal responsibilities?

We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, we've navigated the challenging process of handling death-related responsibilities firsthand. Between us, we've experienced the loss of multiple loved ones and learned valuable lessons about what needs to be done and when.

Connect with us and share your tips:

Website: https://thecaregiversjourney.org/

Donate: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaregiversjourneys/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Full Show Notes

If you are following along with our 20 step Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap guide this is part of Step 20. This is the first guide listed on our guides page.

There are many things that can be done ahead of time. We covered these in podcast episode 30 - End of life preplanning and blog as well as in the matching worksheet you can find on our website in the guides section called ‘End of Life Service Worksheet’. Click here to get to the Guides page, scroll down to find the sheet.

Tip 1: Prioritize these things immediately after death1.

Tip 2: Move to this list within the first few days and weeks

Tip 3: Over the next few weeks and months - manage their estate

Tip 4: Focus on the things to prioritize once the estate has been closed

Balance in caregiving is often talked about, but what does it really look like in everyday life? In this episode, Jerri McElroy, primary caregiver, entrepreneur, and author, shares her caregiving journey and how caregiving touches every part of our lives.

From managing overwhelming medical responsibilities and advocating for a loved one, to caring for a parent with whom you may have had a complicated relationship, Jerri speaks candidly about the emotional and practical realities caregivers face. She also reflects on empathy, boundaries, and the importance of caring for yourself while caring for others.

If you are a family caregiver or supporting an aging parent, you may see yourself in Jerri’s story and gain insight into finding your own sense of balance along the caregiving journey.

TRANSCRIPT

Jerri's Linktree https://linktr.ee/jerrynjerri

Daughterhood

Chris and Josh explore those things that help us reclaim our calm in the midst of chaos and disruption.

A gay senior, Christopher MacLellan, and an ally, Josh Wilson, podcasting about life, love, liberty and travel.

Don’t Say Gay?… Say AgingGayfully®!

AgingGayfully® is about living life with dignity in an age-friendly society regardless of orientation or economic status because longevity is a justice issue.

AgingGayfully® is about finding your voice as we age. We are all part of the aging process and have real connections in diversity.

AgingGayfully® is a modern type of activism that supports the concept of belonging.

AgingGayfully® is about Adventure, Leisure, Travel, being a citizen of the world, traveling to destinations, and being part of the global community as we age and prosper in body, mind, and spirit.

Elizabeth Uslander is empowering the dying every day to create a better ending. As co-founder and CEO of Empowered Endings, Elizabeth is passionate about helping people with serious illness to find the death that aligns with their values and wishes. Her social worker background equips her with problem solving skills she can use to be an advocate for patients and their caregivers. Elizabeth’s theological training lets her support the religious, faith, and spiritual beliefs of her patients.  

Elizabeth is not only an advocate for people who are at the end of life; she’s also a proponent of the interdisciplinary team. She thrives in the collaborative environment that’s the best structure for caring for the complex needs of serious illness. Elizabeth is a passionate change agent committed to humanity, dignity, and choice throughout life, and especially in its final chapters.

Find out more about Elizabeth Uslander and Empowered Endings:  Website: empoweredendings.com and empoweredendings.org LinkedIn: @elizabeth-uslander or https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-uslander/ Instagram: @elizabethuslander or  https://www.instagram.com/elizabethuslander/ Facebook: @elizabethuslander or https://www.facebook.com/elizabethuslander/ 

Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to [email protected].

Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible. And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help. Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95. If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions. A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website: theheartofhospice.com Social media: Facebook  Twitter  Instagram LinkedIn Email: [email protected] More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast

In this episode of Time to Care Like Caregivers, Isabel Melgarejo sits down with psychologist, author, and podcast host Dr. Mara Karpel to explore the hidden impact of ageism in healthcare and caregiving. From her personal journey advocating for her mother to her upcoming book on navigating an ageist system, Dr. Karpel shares insights, tools, and hope for caregivers who often feel unheard. A powerful conversation about dignity, advocacy, and finding passion at any age

Hospice nurse and End of Life Doula Erin Collins puts her heart and mind into helping people make peace with the end of life through compassionate, reflective conversations. As co-founder of The Peaceful Presence Project, Erin has seen the comfort and calm that advance care planning brings to not only those who are dying, but also to their family caregivers and the end of life workers who are serving them.  

Facilitating end of life conversations is one of Erin’s gifts. The Peaceful Presence Project offers a printed workbook called End Notes that helps people express their end of life wishes, and to capture memories and messages they don’t want lost. You can find End Notes on The Peaceful Presence Project website. Through the advance care plan conversation, people feel better about the end of life. Medical decision makers also find their grief burden is less, as they simply follow directions that have been given by their Person.  

Connect with guest Erin Collins: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/erin-collins-rn Instagram:@peacefulpresencedoulas Facebook: facebook.com/peacefulpresencedoulas Find more information about The Peaceful Presence Project at thepeacefulpresenceproject.org Check out their End of Life Doula training program here. Get your copy of End Notes here.

Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible. And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help. Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95. If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions. A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer

Website: theheartofhospice.com

Social media: Facebook  Twitter  Instagram LinkedIn

Email: [email protected]

More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast

Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to [email protected].

Nancy Treaster, a retired software industry executive turned Certified Caregiving Consultant, co-founded The Caregiver’s Journey with longtime friend Sue Ryan after both personally faced the challenges of dementia caregiving for multiple family members. Nancy has supported her father through Parkinson’s, her father-in-law through Alzheimer’s, and her husband through Frontotemporal Dementia. Drawing on her professional background and personal experience, Nancy offers a compassionate yet practical approach that empowers family caregivers to face their caregiving journey with confidence, fewer surprises, and more effective solutions.

In this episode, we talk about the difference between palliative care and hospice care—and why both are often underutilized. Nancy also shares insights on the stages of grief (including a unique concept called “drip grief”), her love of travel, the power of podcasting, and how caregivers can access an interactive roadmap filled with practical tools and resources to guide them on their caregiving journey.

Show notes with product and resource links:

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Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

In this episode of A Time to Care: The Caregivers Podcast, Isabel Melgarejo reminds us that life is more than work and responsibilities. She explores the power of hobbies and joyful activities, why we often postpone them, and how even small steps—like researching or trying something new—can bring energy and fulfillment into our daily lives.

Let’s AgeGayfully® together, with intention, humor, and each other.

Aging Gayfully hits the jukebox! Josh and Chris time-travel through the soundtrack of their lives—from 60s Motown and The Big Chill memories, to 70s Elton John and eight-tracks, to MTV-fueled 80s anthems like “Take On Me,” and finally a 90s detour to the Three Tenors that sparked a love of classical music. Along the way: why everyone needs “their pub,” the $20 bartender tip rule, TV shows that made us music fans, and how orchestral soundtracks and symphonies still soothe the brain as we age. It’s nostalgia, community, and the science-backed wellness of music—served with bartender-level hospitality.

Keywords: LGBTQ+ aging, music and memory, Motown, Elton John, MTV, 80s pop, classical music, wellbeing, community, travel & leisure.

A gay senior, Christopher MacLellan, and an ally, Josh Wilson, podcasting about life, love, liberty and travel.

Don’t Say Gay?… Say AgingGayfully®!

AgingGayfully® is about living life with dignity in an age-friendly society regardless of orientation or economic status because longevity is a justice issue.

AgingGayfully® is about finding your voice as we age. We are all part of the aging process and have real connections in diversity.

AgingGayfully® is a modern type of activism that supports the concept of belonging.

AgingGayfully® is about Adventure, Leisure, Travel, being a citizen of the world, traveling to destinations, and being part of the global community as we age and prosper in body, mind, and spirit.

The International End of Life Doula Association believes everyone deserves compassionate, respectful care at the end of life. Executive Director Doug Simpson is working with the INELDA team to make that happen. Doug’s journey to EOL doula work began with the death of his own father, followed by the birth of his son. Drawn to end of life work, Doug trained as a doula in 2018 and became an INELDA volunteer in 2019. He moved into the Executive Director position in 2022, and has never lost sight of the personal experiences that have guided his work. Reflecting back, Doug realizes the similarities between birth and death, and the deeply spiritual experiences of both these life events. He works with INELDA now to ensure that everyone has access to end of life care, resources to make that death an enriched experience, and education to promote growth and acceptance of the work of end of life doulas.

You can find the work of the International End of Life Doula Association at inelda.org Read more about INELDA Executive Director Douglas Simpson here. Looking to find an INELDA doula in your area? Click here. Find out how EOL doulas serve the seriously ill and dying here. Facebook Instagram

Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible. And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help. Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95. If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions. A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website: theheartofhospice.com Social media: Facebook  Twitter  Instagram LinkedIn Email: [email protected] More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast

Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to [email protected].