In this latest episode, Barbara Canuel, Registered Dietition and our host Todd Hayes break down the essentials of nutrition, exploring three major macronutrients—carbohydrates, fats, and proteins—and their roles in a healthy diet. They challenge common myths, like the idea that all carbs are “bad,” and explain which types are actually nutrient powerhouses for your body.

You’ll learn about the caloric density of fats, why moderation matters, and how to distinguish between “good” and “bad” fats, especially in relation to cholesterol. They also spotlight protein as the body’s unsung hero, sharing why it’s vital to keep protein in your diet and the best foods to get it from. 

Hydration is another key topic: they discuss how much water you really need, debunk common myths, and share tips to prevent dehydration. Plus, we cover the hidden risks of sodium—where it lurks in foods and why it’s especially important for people with certain health conditions.

Finally Barbara and Todd connect nutrition to specific health issues like congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and diabetes, and address persistent myths around diabetes and the glycemic index.

Tune in for practical advice, myth-busting, and science-backed tips to help you make informed choices about what you eat and drink!

Guest: Erin Vanderveer, Nurse Practitioner, Community Nurse

Overview:
Erin Vanderveer explains what hospice is and helps dispel the myths surrounding hospice and palliative care. She describes the hospice team and their roles, including:

• • Nurses
  • Home Health Aides
  • Chaplains
  • Volunteers and/or Death Doulas
  • What to expect from hospice and palliative care.

Key Points Discussed/Questions answered:

• Hospice is individualized and focused on the needs of the patient, representing what we hope all healthcare should be.
• Eligibility criteria and coverage for hospice.
• What happens if a patient's condition improves or if they change their mind about hospice?
• How to have conversations about hospice and how your healthcare team can assist?
• The myth that all treatment stops when entering hospice.
• The benefits of not waiting too long to enter hospice.
• What makes Community Nurse Hospice special?
• What is palliative care?
• The differences between palliative care and hospice.

In episode 6 of "Your Care, Your Choice," Dr. Todd Hayes DPT sits down with Martha Reed, the Director of Fairhaven's Council on Aging/Senior Center. Together, they delve into the mission of the Council on Aging, exploring how they observe the needs of seniors in their communities and create the programming that they need. Martha shares insights into the various services offered by the Council, including advice on Medicare, technology education and assistance, education on MyChart for accessing medical records, chair yoga, tax assistance, legal needs for elders, grief groups, durable medical equipment, and more. They also discuss how the Council connects people in need with resources, offers social day programs, organizes holiday dinners, and provides transportation services. Martha emphasizes the importance of reaching out to the Council for advice, especially since there is no handbook for turning 65. Tune in to learn more about who can attend the Council on Aging programs and how to get more information about the services they offer.

Episode 5 of the "Your care. Your choice." Podcast hosted by Dr. Todd Hayes DPT features Atty. Andrew Bardetti from South Coastal Counties Legal Services (SCCLS), who is the supervising attorney of the Elder Law project. In this episode, Atty. Bardetti discusses his journey and the significance of his work in providing legal assistance for civil matters such as housing, consumer issues, family law, and public benefits.

The project serves individuals under 60 who meet specific income requirements and those over 60 based on their overall circumstances. Listeners will learn about the diverse range of services offered, including advocacy for healthcare benefits, evictions, long-term care issues, Social Security, property tax abatements, wills, healthcare proxies, and power of attorney.

The episode also highlights the importance of effective intake processes and the assignment of advocates to ensure there are no conflicts and that needs are met. Atty. Bardetti emphasizes the complexity of healthcare benefits and the frequent need for advocacy, whether it's filing appropriate forms or appeals. The project employs a dedicated team of attorneys, support staff, paralegals, administrators, and front-line staff to provide comprehensive legal assistance. They serve individuals of all abilities and languages.

Transcript

In this episode we welcome Atty Rebecca Spinner - Associate Attorney at Surprenant & Beneski LLC. Dr. Todd Hayes DPT and Atty Spinner discuss and describe the Foundational Documents that Everyone 18 years or older should have no matter how much money you have.
Those items include

1. Healthcare Proxy
2. Durable power of attorney
3. Advanced Directive or MOLST Form
4. HIPPA Authorization
5. last will and testament

Surprenant & Beneski LLC of Southeastern MA-Specializing in elder law and estate planning

Episode 3 continues the discussion about caregiving and tips of doing the best you can for  your loved one.  In this episode, Todd also makes some suggestion to those being cared for on how to help make things easier for thier caregiver.

In this episode, Episode 2 Caregiver 101 part 1, Dr. Todd Hayes talks about being the caregiver for a loved one, what some of the challenges are and gives advice on how to handle these common challenges.

In this episode our host, Dr. Todd Hayes DPT introduces the podcast and Community Nurse Home Health Care agency.  They discuss Home Health Care, the history of Community Nurse and the important role this podcast plays in caring for the health of the Community.