Navigating the World with Your Aging Loved One

We've planned who will inherit the house, and who will be the keeper of our most precious treasures but we often overlook another form of our personal property- our digital assets. Families are placed in situations where they need to navigate and collect a variety of digital property after a loved one passes. This week my guests are Aproova Chintala and Sree Chintala. They are founders and the CEO and CTO of Clocr. Clocr is an all-in-one legacy planning platform. Creating this platform is very personal to these founders as they share the family story of how they found themselves in the midst of understanding the wishes of a grandparent and wanted to have a better way to manage digital property. This is a tremendous help for families and eliminates frustration and confusion. Thank you, Aproova and Sree, for sharing your family story and providing guidance for us as we plan for the future. Aproova and Sree share about: After a personal loss- Clocr was created. The story of how it came to be Understanding digital assets What types of assets are often overlooked How do we pass along a digital legacy Choosing the "right" digital executor Storing and protecting our digital assets Understanding the world of social media and protecting our accounts The ways to protect and store our personal photos and videos How Clocr ensures the security of our assets- security is a top priority The ways in which Clocr supports older adults and senior care About Clocr Clocr provides an all-in-one legacy planning platform with three product lines: an estate planning tool for digital assets, a digital vault to store and share information, and a time-vault feature. You can set up your estate plan for digital assets in just 3 clicks. We also offer a patent-pending digital vault to consolidate all your important documents and information and share them with your guardians. Our unique digital time capsule feature allows you to pass on your memories, messages, and values to your friends and family. We recently launched Emergency Services allows the first responder to connect with the person in need's emergency contact through a quick scan of QR Code. Clocr Social Media Will helps you to decide how your social identity should live on after you pass away. Other than this we also offer features like Free Will, Funeral Planning, and Medical Directives. The Backstory The idea for Clocr came to Apoorva Chintala, Co-founder & CEO, a few years ago shortly after the passing of her grandfather. After he died, there was confusion surrounding his beneficiaries and how his assets were to be distributed. Apoorva's father was thrust into the role of 'executor' and forced to try and determine what her grandfather's wishes had been and how to disburse his assets. All of these new responsibilities for her father, while important and urgent, seemed trivial in comparison to their loss. That's when it hit her – "what would I do if I was the one who had to figure all of this out?" The answer was: "I just don't know". At that moment, Clocr was born. The primary aim of Clocr is to ease a family's burden at their greatest time of need, when they are facing the greatest uncertainty of life – its ending. Apoorva firmly believes that technology empowers society to creatively and effectively solve age old problems, and this is why Clocr exists, to eliminate the stress and confusion after the loss of a loved one. For more information about Clocr visit www.clocr.com. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

How do we effectively and proactively communicate our loved ones needs and routines with their care partners and caregivers? Mike Michel, the founder of the CareTrainr app, is my guest today. The CareTrainr app saves care partners time from repeating the same information to new caregivers and visiting relatives They are able to move forward as they are equipped with information and confidence as they have access to personalized walk-through videos, calendars, updated notes, and more. This week we are also having a bigger conversation about what motivated Mike to create CareTrainr, his experience with the home care industry, and working with care partners. Mike is full of life, energy, and knowledge. This was a motivating conversation and I'm so excited to see what Mike will do next. Thank you for the great conversation, Mike! Mike shares about: Mike's story and reason for creating the CareTrainr app The current landscape of the homecare industry and a take on what the needs of family caregivers are What leads to high turnover and caregiver frustration How we can properly train caregivers and tools to grow confidence Advice for families on finding the "right" caregiver for their loved one What are the current challenges caregivers are facing at the moment How we can communicate effectively with our caregivers The importance of a plan of care and accountability How he is hopeful for the future About Mike Michel & The CareTrainr App: Mike Michel attained his B.S degree in Health Science at Florida A&M University. His previous work with geriatric patients and in-home healthcare included his education in health science and physical therapy. He noticed some inefficiencies in the organization and the quality of care families and loved ones endure. So, He decided to educate families on two things. First, Proactive care is always the best care. We don't have to wait until we need the care to set standards for how we care. Secondly, when caregivers change, care shouldn't. Care Trainr is the modern solution for continuous caregiving. Built from the ground up by a dedicated team of care professionals, this app was designed to provide both families and professionals with a simple, easy-to-use, and convenient way to communicate and coordinate the highest quality care for their loved ones and patients. For more information about the CareTrainr App visit www.caretrainr.com. Find Mike on social media at @thecaregiverguy We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Benjamin Kintisch began his work as a chaplain in a residential hospice community. One of the most meaningful parts of his work was walking through the "Life Review" with each of his patients. In our conversation this week, Ben recalls telling his wife that the stories he was hearing needed to be songs. His wife replied, "Get writing". He began writing and through partnerships and collaborations the Life Review: The Hospice Musical was born. Through music, song, our shared mortality, humor, and commonalities - we have a space to learn and review in our own way. Thank you, Ben, for the fun and thought-provoking conversation. Benjamin Kintisch is a Cantor, a chaplain, and a music teacher, in addition to his involvement with theater and songwriting. "Life Review" is the first musical he created. About Life Review: The Hospice Musical "It's a Chorus Line meets Fiddler on the Roof." Life Review: The Hospice Musical is a new musical celebrating life, love and loss through three seasons at a residential hospice. The story follows our young Rabbi David, the new chaplain at the facility. He arrives in autumn, eager and naive, caring but lonely. As he ministers to the patients, Rabbi David learns from his patients even as he cares for them. and their loved ones. In Life Review: The Hospice Musical, each patient sings their story. We hear from a proud mother remembering snow, a brave but scared young man wondering what's to come, an older man looking for one last friend, and a man of God singing praises. To learn more and book a virtual performance visit www.lifereviewmusical.com. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

This week my guest is Bill Cohen, a Certified Senior Advisor, and the owner of Cohen Caregiving Support Consultants. With every two out of three caregivers being female, the conversation around caregiving tends to be from the perspective of women. Bill shares with us his journey as a son, offers advice on managing care, finding support, and how seeking support can be different for men. Bill is compassionate as he provides support for dementia caregivers. He's walked this road before and takes a holistic approach in sharing his perspective and support as he advises unpaid family caregivers. Thank you, Bill, for sharing your perspective, advice, and story with us today. Bill shares about: Bill's story as a son What led to his concerns about his mom's symptoms Good tips for supporting our loved ones with dementia Overcoming the stigmas around dementia and improving awareness How caregivers can find time for self-care and reduce stress How we work through grief and the long goodbyes Why it's important for us to find support during our caregiving journey His perspective as a male caregiver and how seeking support can be different Bill shares about his volunteer work including support groups, fundraising, and advocacy Cohen Caregiving Support Consultants https://cohencaregivingsupport.com/ Bill's Online Support Community for Caregivers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/billcohensupportgroup/ We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Having been a non-professional caregiver for family and loved ones for more than thirty-five years, Sue Ryan created The Caregiver's Journey to walk caregivers through the various phases of their caregiving journey. How do we successfully manage all of the changes and transitions that happen when we step into the role of caregiver? Today I have with me, Sue Ryan, best-selling author of the book Our Journey of Love, 5 Steps to Navigate Your Caregiving Journey. For the past 35 years, she has been supporting entrepreneurs and business leaders in successfully navigating transition. Sue's personal care for her loved ones brought her into the trenches of transition. When her caregiving journey began she frequently felt overwhelmed, frustrated, and faced with the unknown of not knowing what to do. Sue graciously shares with us all that she has learned and teaches family caregivers how to find balance and successfully navigate the many roles we carry as caregivers. This can be an empowering time for us when we realize we can re-create who we are and be encouraged in our transitions. When we understand ourselves- we can care well for others. Whether you'd like to have a conversation, read her international best-selling book Our Journey of Love, 5 Steps to Navigate Your Caregiving Journey, have her speak or conduct workshops for your organization, or take one of the offerings of her The Caregiver's Journey program, reach out to Sue HERE. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

How do we distinguish between a certain amount of normal stress and caregiver burnout? "I just can't do this anymore" or "This is too much for me to handle"- Have you spoken these words before? This week we are talking about caregiver burnout. My guest is Debbie Compton, she became a full-time caregiver for three parents with three different forms of dementia. After many years of leading teams nationwide, she has used her problem-solving skills to develop new ways to make life more manageable for caregivers. This conversation is full of humor, transparency, and compassion as we talk all about caregiver burnout, how to recognize these emotions, and what we can do to take action and move towards healing. Debbie shares how we can find support and community. Debbie is the founder of The Purple Vine. She is a caregiver, has authored several books, and is an active community educator for the Alzheimer's Association. I'm so happy she is with us today and sharing her story of hope. Visit www.thePurpleVine.com/blog for helpful articles for caregivers as well as some free resources. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

How do we empower older adults to live happier, healthier, and more independent lives at home? My guest this week is Dor Skuler, he is the CEO and Co-Founder of Intuition Robotics. ElliQ is a proactive care companion for older adults. ElliQ is a voice-operated device that is empathetic, offers companionship, wellness support, and much more that we'll talk about today. This is a bigger conversation about addressing loneliness, social isolation, and social determinants of health that many older adults experience. After many years of research, with and for older adults, we have a look at how ElliQ offers encouragement and support while strengthening the relationship with our loved ones. ElliQ allows families to focus on those uniquely human connections and interactions while providing proactive care. Thank you, Dor, for your passion in creating a product with high social impact. In fighting the loneliness epidemic, ElliQ is partnering with the state of New York and New York State Office for the Aging to equip older adults with robot companions. Read more about this exciting partnership HERE. ElliQ and Intuition Robotics were featured guests on The Today Show, awarded AARP Innovation Champion Award, Fast Company Brands That Matter 2021, and much more. We talk about: The story of ElliQ The landscape of loneliness and isolation, the extensive research to tackle the challenges of aging How ElliQ supports social connections with our loved ones & brings people together The unique features that make ElliQ feel like a real companion and it's ease of use ElliQ's empathetic nature and proactive focus Who ElliQ is the perfect fit for The importance of privacy and consent What exciting partnerships are taking place with ElliQ The investment opportunities and challenges for AgeTech ElliQ users' success story Intuition Robotics is on a mission to empower older adults to live happier, healthier and more independent lives at home. The company's award winning product, ElliQ®, is a proactive care companion for older adults. ElliQ, which has spent more than 35,000 days in the homes of older adults, helps keep users healthy, engaged, and informed, while alleviating the effects of loneliness and social isolation. The company was founded in 2016 and is based in Tel Aviv with offices in San Francisco and Athens. Intuition Robotics' investors include: Toyota Ventures, Samsung NEXT, iRobot, and Venture Capital firms from California, Israel, Japan, and China. To learn more, please visit ElliQ.com. Connect with ElliQ & Intuition Robotics on social media at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

What does life look like during and after caregiving for a loved one? What does life look like after retirement? What is my purpose? One thing is certain- there is always change in our lives. This can bring up many big questions- What is my purpose? How has this changed for me throughout the years? What questions can I ask myself to find my purpose? What does my support system look like? How do I overcome the various losses that life brings? My guest this week is Vicki Thomas. Vicki is the co-founder of My Future Purpose, they are a multi-faceted membership organization committed to growing the purpose movement. They help individuals and professional organizations harness the power of purpose. Vicki has always pursued her passion and purpose in life and she is now helping others to develop their own. It is my pleasure to introduce to you, Vicki Thomas. Visit myfuturepurpose.com for more information and to connect with Vicki. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

How will we know what's possible as we age if we do not have a relationship with older adults? When we truly listen- we become more compassionate and realize the rich blessings of those relationships. My guest this week is Isabel Tom, author of The Value of Wrinkles: A Young Perspective on How Loving the Old will Change Your Life. Isabel has been a featured guest sharing her story of what it is like growing up in a multi-generational home while caring for her grandparents who lived to the age of 98 and 102. Professionally, Isabel has worked in the senior living and hospice care field for many years. Contentment, gratitude, and reflection. All words that come to mind when thinking of this conversation and the book. I enjoyed my time with Isabel so much. Thank you, Isabel, for sharing your story, heart, and encouragement with us! To learn more about Isabel and her work find her at isabeltom.com. To sign up for the Prepare Care Course HERE. Listen to The Value of Wrinkles Podcast HERE. Connect with Isabel Tom at: Facebook Instagram YouTube We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

What do we do after we experience the loss of a loved one? There is immense grief and then there are the logistical tasks that need to be walked through. Where do we begin? How do we know what to do? My guest this week is Ron Gura, he is the CEO and Co-Founder of Empathy. Empathy supports families through loss and provides both emotional and logistical support when they need it most. The Empathy app streamlines all of the end-of-life bureaucracy. Families are also supported by a dedicated care team and are given access to grief support 24/7. Empathy was awarded Google Play's 2021 "Best App for Good", CB Insights' "Top Digital Health Companies of 2021" and one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies of 2022. Ron shares about: The importance of bringing this conversation to light and having an open discussion about loss and bereavement Breaking the barrier and providing support to families that is accessible What families experience after the loss of a loved one Navigating the impact of bereavement after loss The high cost of loss- the financial, emotional and logistical toll How insurance companies are elevating their benefits to support bereaved families The many ways Empathy supports families during loss with emotional and practical tools How Ron is hopeful to change the narrative around loss and bereavement and bring it to light To access the Cost of Dying report mentioned in the podcast visit HERE. Visit Empathy.com & Find Empathy at: https://twitter.com/empathy https://www.instagram.com/empathy_com/ https://www.facebook.com/empathyforfamilies/ We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

This week my guest is Traci Lamb, CEO of Smart Caregiving. Traci has spent the last 20 years in the healthcare industry with over 14 of those years working in hospice. She is the primary caregiver for both of her parents who are in their 80s - this led our conversation today as well as her personal experience working in hospice care. Families have many questions- what is hospice care? How is it different than palliative care? What is comfort care? Why would we choose hospice? What are the benefits? How do we have these important conversations? We look at the value of grief support and how everyone experiences grief differently. For more info about Smart Caregiving visit https://smart-caregiving.com/ We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our podcast, guest & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

What holds us back from choosing the life that we want? Over the last few years my guest, Anna Marie Frank, has worked with caregivers and older adults about the power of re-wiring our brains and shifting our mindset to live a happy and whole life. What we think and how we speak greatly impacts our health. Anna Marie Frank, Doctor of Traditional Naturopathy, is my guest this week. She has spent 20 years in the wellness industry. Her focus on how we can be proactive vs. reactive in our health guided our conversation. Understanding the caregiver's needs and mental health state gives her a framework for helping others find support and happiness. It was a pleasure to talk with Anna Marie- this is a fun conversation that will encourage anyone who listens! Thank you, Anna Marie! We talk all about Traditional Naturopathy, how we as caregivers, care partners, and older adults can re-wire our brain and mindset- mindset is everything, how we can take control and live the life we want, looking at the big picture and how we can make change, how we can find cost-effective options in supporting our health, and how there is hope in choosing the life that we want. Anna Marie has spent over 20 years in the wellness industry and is a doctor of Traditional Naturopathy, certified brain health practitioner, and worksite wellness specialist. She is also the founder of Happy Whole You, formulator of three brain nutraceuticals, published author, life guide coach, mother of two, and holistic health advocate! Anna Marie has found a way to combine high tech therapies with old school holistic health practices that improve one's brain function while simultaneously decreasing one's body inflammation. She started her company and practice after healing her own brain and body naturally. You can work with Anna Marie virtually or in person at her wellness location. Connect with Anna Marie @HappyWholeYou on social media and visit her website at www.HappyWholeYou.com We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Each of us comes with a life story, preferences, hobbies, interests, and unique family dynamics. All of our individual qualities come together to make us who we are. How do we share that story effectively when other people are caring for us? CareStory's platform "is designed to help families capture the essence of their loved ones, telling their stories and advocating for the care that they deserve." Nicole Shute is my guest this week. She leads the Client Success at CareStory. CareStory is a nonmedical digital solution that provides holistic person-centered care for caregivers and families- all through the use of your smart device. Today, Nicole and I talk all about why your loved ones' personal story matters, why empathy matters and how we bring that into our care with others. Thank you, Nicole, for sharing your story with us! CareStory is dedicated to putting empathy back into long-term care. By providing caregivers with the right tools from the start, CareStory ensures that care staff are as familiar with loved ones as their families are; ensuring continuity of care. CareStory's platform is designed to help families capture the essence of their loved ones, telling their stories and advocating for the care that they deserve. For more information about CareStory visit www.carestory.ca. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

How do we support our loved ones with brain changes in a positive and respectful way? Teepa's mission is "to change the culture of dementia care to be more inclusive, more knowledgeable, and more skillful in order to truly support all brains and people in our community." Teepa and her team are doing just that. Teepa Snow is my guest this week. She is one of the world's leaders in dementia education and advocacy. Teepa founded Positive Approach to Care and its reach includes 30 countries worldwide. Teepa's ability to connect with others, provide practical tools for families and support for others has been life-giving to many including myself. There is a wealth of knowledge that you need to explore at teepasnow.com to continue learning more about her incredible work. We talk all about care partnership, common misconceptions, the call to destigmatize dementia, common questions caregivers have, and how Teepa fills her cup as she gives to so many. About Teepa Snow & Positive Approach to Care Teepa Snow is one of the world's leading advocates and educators for anyone living with dementia or other forms of brain change. Teepa is an Occupational Therapist with over forty years of rich and varied clinical and academic experience. Her philosophy is reflective of her education, work experience, medical research, and first-hand caregiving experiences. Her advocacy efforts led her to the development of the GEMS® State Model for understanding the progression of dementia and changes in abilities. She also created the Positive Approach to Care® training strategies, which are effective techniques for anyone seeking to optimize care and support for those living with brain change. As the Education Director of Eastern North Carolina's Alzheimer's Association, she also helped to create the nation's award-winning DVD entitled Accepting the Challenge: Providing the Best Care for People with Dementia. Her user friendly approaches provide guidance and leadership to national efforts to promote best practices in care. Teepa's company, Positive Approach to Care (PAC), was founded in 2006 and is now collaborating to improve dementia care in over thirty countries worldwide. PAC provides online and in-person services, training, and products to professionals, family members, the lay public, and people living with brain change. Please visit www.teepasnow.com for educational video clips, DVDs, books, information on individual certifications, online support groups, virtual and onsite trainings, or to subscribe to a free monthly newsletter. Teepa presents with extraordinary expertise and humor to audiences large and small throughout the world. Please join in her mission to improve the culture of dementia care, one mind at a time. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Families are often in an overwhelming and unsustainable financial situation when providing care for their loved ones. There are so many families struggling to pay for care. How do we address the need to provide adequate and affordable solutions for families and older adults? Kimberly Whiter, CEO of Elder Care Solutions is my guest today. She is on a mission to "help families realize a more financially positive aging and caring experience". Kim and her team provide a safe place for families to express their fears, concerns, and questions about the cost of care. Offering a listening ear and solutions provided by an interdisciplinary team leads many families to find support and tangible resources. Kimberly shares about: The state of caregiving around the world The reason behind the rapid growth of caregivers What leads to large out-of-pocket expenses for caregivers Why care is expensive What financial options do families have to support the cost of care What are the barriers to accessing financial information and resources Understanding what important documents are needed to support our loved ones' care How Elder Care Solutions supports families and older adults How families can begin to feel empowered Elder Care Solutions helps families face the challenges of long-term care. We empower families by providing a bird's-eye view of all your options for facing your unique long-term care situation. For more information visit www.eldercaresolutionsinc.com. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather

Do you have a parent or a loved one nearing the most fragile years of life? We know that eventually our parents will be entering this final stage and we are often not prepared for the challenges that it brings. Aging expert Amy Cameron O'Rourke, author of The Fragile Years and founder O'Rourke & Associates is a dedicated care manager with 40 years of experience. She has a passion for helping people and their loved ones find peace and joy as they age. The book The Fragile Years is written for the millions of unpaid caregivers and adult children of aging parents entering those final years of life. Amy's work has been celebrated by NPR, TEDx, U.S . News & World Report, Forbes, and many others. While these years can be challenging they also provide as Amy would say "A beautiful opportunity for connection, meaning, and joy". "One day, we will all reach the final stages of our lives — our most fragile years, and we will want to know that someone is looking out for us." Amy shares about: What prompted Amy to write the book Her passion and care throughout the years Common mistakes we make as caregivers What are the "fragile years"? Exercising professional courage Who makes a good "quarterback"? What does over-treatment rob us of? How does the transactional approach of healthcare impact us and our elders? How families can effectively work together and manage care for their loved one What three key areas to focus on in making preparations for our parents Working through complicated relationships What questions to ask when receiving care and making a move Options for care and payment Visit www.agingexpert.com for more information. Purchase The Fragile Years: Proven Strategies for the Care of Aging Loved Ones HERE. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

With our growing longevity economy and older adult demographic, we have seen a massive rise in agetech. How do we make sure that older adults can live a full life in a digital world and include them in each aspect of creation and use? We are in a unique time to be able to solve problems, create solutions and address the universal challenges of aging. Keren shares about: How she came to start The Gerontechnologist and write The AgeTech Revolution Why we are in a pivotal time in our world and the changing aging landscape- a worldwide look The challenges of aging, lack of caregiver support, and how agetech addresses those concerns What are the barriers to agetech adoption What to consider when designing agetech The attributes of agetech companies that validate the problems and solutions What successful agetech companies do well Overcoming fear of change and embracing agetech The future of agetech Keren Etkin is the best-selling author of The AgeTech Revolution - a book about the intersection of technology and aging, founder of TheGerontechnologist.com, a media platform that covers the global agetech ecosystem and offers online courses through the AgeTech Academy, and the founder/director of AgeLabIL at Shenkar college in Israel, an interdisciplinary R&D center focusing on agetech. Named one of the most influential people in aging, Etkin is a sought-after public speaker and advisor for agetech startups, investors in the longevity economy, care providers and organizations who work on innovation in aging. In The AgeTech Revolution, Keren Etkin takes you on a journey to explore what the intersection of tech and aging looks like today. Visit www.thegerontechnologist.com for more information. Purchase The AgeTech Revolution HERE. Social media for Keren Etkin Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Spotify We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

The number of older adults that are experiencing ageism is growing and most often in the workplace. The film Duty Free is facilitating important conversations, addressing care concerns, and driving movement to end ageism and financial insecurity. Duty Free explores claiming who we are, ageism, the complexities of work, the power of having an advocate, and social impact. The film also looks at the decisions that we have to make as women. It was emotional for me to watch as I saw and connected to the struggle of wanting to do right by our family and work. This is a beautiful heartfelt story. We invest so much time and energy in our jobs and careers only to find out that the same investment is not often valued in return as we age. As Rebecca says, "Do not let your work define you". This film continues the call to empower older workers, support caregivers and fight against ageism- We've got a lot of work to do, but this is a good start. Please take the time to watch and enjoy the film, Duty Free. I loved every minute of it. Thank you, Rebecca, for the visit- you are a bright light and I loved learning from you! Rebecca shares about: The powerful themes that are present in the film. Claiming who we are, ageism, power of relationships, and social impact The clues that work was treating Rebecca differently and understanding ageism The importance of meeting people and getting to know them to dispel those preconceived thoughts about older workers How people all over the world have reached out and shared their similar stories, how Duty Free gave them hope and a voice How we all need an advocate- for Rebecca it was her son, Sian-Pierre Her thoughts on the bucket list adventure and stories from her adventures The movement happening in the government to support caregivers and older adults What the future holds for Rebecca and the Duty Free film About the film, Duty Free: "Ageism and Financial Insecurity in America are pervasive. Older folks are invisible in their communities, workplaces, and, sometimes, within their own families. An estimated 25 million won't have enough money to get through retirement age. Duty Free examines ageism, the care crisis, and economic insecurity in America. Who will care for and support our moms and dads? Our grandmothers and our grandfathers? Who will support us as we age? Watch our film, raise these questions in your own community, and together let's point to solutions that work for all generations." Watch the film HERE! For more information about the Duty Free film visit https://www.dutyfreefilm.com/ We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: Willgather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

While I've been gifted the opportunity to bring out the best in my guests and their message- this person, right here, brings out the best in me. My best friend of 28 years, Katie McDonald, interviews me today. The message of listening when ideas find us and taking steps forward each day towards our dreams weaves its way through our conversation. If anything, Katie has taught me to show up with curiosity, find the joy, celebrate the magic, and always lead with kindness. Nicole shares about: What led her to start the podcast Her mission in each episode How she finds and connects to her guests The podcast process Overcoming fear to pursue your dreams How we can be open to receiving goodness and amplifying our message to do good What's next for Nicole Nicole Will is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of our aging community by equipping older adults, their family members, and eldercare professionals with valuable information and resources. Nicole is the creator, host, and producer of the willGather Podcast: Navigating the World with Your Aging Loved One. Nicole has over 20 years of experience in the field of aging and eldercare services. Growing up, Nicole's grandma came to live with her family and became one of her closest friends. Inspired by this special relationship and passion, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services: Social Gerontology. Nicole is actively certified as an Activity Director with NCCAP. She spent many years working as a Director at a well-respected and large senior living community overseeing the Therapeutic Recreation, Volunteer, and Spiritual Care departments while successfully leading her sizeable team to improved resident engagement success. She served on the MAPA board and as an adjuvant faculty member at the University of St. Catherine. She continues her hands-on approach as a private older adult care companion with a deep understanding of family caregiver needs. Nicole is currently the founder of willGather, LLC. Katie McDonald is a successful business owner of Alchemy Designs that includes being a hairstylist, life coach, medium, and master-level reiki. Her gifts bring healing, joy and awakening to anyone she encounters. She resides in Denver and is the best mom to two amazing kids. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people across the world. While there is no cure at the moment there are ways we can improve cognition and reinforce routine habits. Matt Golden is the CEO and Co-Founder of MapHabit. Having experienced the personal loss of loved ones from Alzheimer's Disease, he is passionate about creating tools to support caregivers and improve the quality of life for our older adults. MapHabit is an interactive care management, dementia training, and cognitive engagement platform that promotes independence and enhances the quality of life for individuals that need additional cognitive support and their support partners. This award-winning technology, using evidence-based research is driving change to reduce caregiver stress, support care teams, and reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs. Matt Golden shares about: How we preserve the independence and dignity of our loved ones The extensive research and science to support the value of visual cues and maintaining habits How the National Institue of Aging (NIH) funding helped build credibility & enable MapHabit to rapidly grow How we can focus on what our loved ones still can do- what is maintained throughout the disease process The personalized cognitive support offered by MapHabit How visual cues support our loved one's independence The dementia education and engagement platform offered Why healthcare providers and caregivers need to be supported MapHabit's extensive team and educators Learn more about MapHabit at www.maphabit.com Instagram @maphabitatl and Facebook @MapHabit Matt is a seasoned business leader and passionate advocate for assistive technologies to improve quality of life. Matt's uncle and grandmother both passed away from Alzheimer's Disease. His extensive custom application development, project management skills and change management expertise enable him to effectively implement change in industries that require modernization. MapHabit combines both his personal motivations and professional drive to build solutions to transform the lives of others with few options. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Dr. Edward Park's father was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and Lewy Body dementia, starting when he was only in his 40s. It was devastating for the family and ultimately placed their family in a caregiver role. Dr. Park's family history of neurodegenerative disease ultimately led him towards looking at brain health and the powerful role that nutrition plays in reducing the risk of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other neurodegenerative conditions. Dr. Edward Park is the founder of NeuroReserve, a preventive health and nutrition company focused on healthy brain aging. I enjoyed this conversation immensely. I learned so much from Dr. Park- he has the ability to take complex information and makes it easy for us to digest. If you have any interest in nutrition, brain health, and preventing neurodegenerative decline - this is a fascinating conversation you do not want to miss. Thank you, Dr. Park, it was a pleasure to talk with you! Dr. Edward Park shares about: The creation of NeuroReserve and the important role his father played in looking at brain health How can caregivers prevent in themselves the decline they are seeing in their loved ones' health and brain health? The ways we can take control of our own brain health What do we need as a foundation for brain health The science behind brain protective diets and the evidence of neuroprotective foods If we or our loved one is already experiencing cognition challenges or memory loss- is it too late to supplement with nutrition? When is the best time to add this into our lives? What are those nutrient gaps The extensive team at NeuroReserve and their product RELEVATE *NeuroReserve is graciously providing our listeners a discount code WILLGATHER for 15% off of the product RELEVATE when you order through NeuroReserve.com. Edward Park is the founder of NeuroReserve, a preventive health and nutrition company focused on healthy brain aging. Ed's family history of neurodegenerative disease (his father) ultimately led him toward brain health, where he realized the powerful role nutrition and dietary patterns can play in reducing risk of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other neurodegenerative conditions. This inspired him to develop the next generation of nutritional products to protect long-term brain health and cognition: expert-designed by leading neurology and nutrition researchers, data analytics-driven, and based on the best dietary evidence – philosophies that led to the founding of NeuroReserve. Ed holds a Ph.D. in chemical and biomolecular engineering. He also holds a M.S. and M.B.A. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Learn more about NeuroReserve at neuroreserve.com Instagram @neuroreserve and Facebook @neuroreserve We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Visit willgatherpodcast.com for more info on our guest, podcast & sponsorship. Please follow for updates, rate & review!

How do we become prepared as a caregiver and not wait until everything is falling down around us? Judy Burkle is the perfect person to talk with us today about how we juggle all of the caregiving responsibilities and manage our emotions. Judy is a master-level social worker and an aging parent coach with extensive experience working with older adults and one on one therapy sessions. Every caregiver's situation and story is unique. We talk about how being informed can help you feel like you've got a sense of control over what feels unpredictable. We're often living in a state of the unknown or not quite sure what that journey looks like for a loved one. We want to make sure that we're doing the right decisions and asking the right questions. Judy provides a great framework to easily look at your situation and know where to begin in providing great care for your loved one. Judy became passionate about "working with adults and aging parents after spending a career seeing how difficult it is for adult children to manage their care as their parent's health declines." Judy wants to impart to adult children the skills to feel confident as they care for their aging parents. Judy Burkle is a clinically trained social worker, Therapist and Certified Clini-Coach® with over 25 years of experience in working with adults with aging parents. She has consolidated all of her years of experience and knowledge to help as many people as possible by developing The PACT Academy. The PACT Academy is a membership program that includes over 30 modules (and growing), weekly group coaching, worksheets, checklists, scripts, and so much more to help adults with aging parents feel more peace, acceptance, confidence, and have more time in their life. The PACT Academy launches on 3/02/2022. For more information and to contact Judy, please visit www.coachjudyburkle.com We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Why are our elders targeted by solicitors and scammers? What can we do to help ensure that our loved ones won't fall victim to these types of scams? Our older adult population is growing and the financial impact of scams can be devastating, racking up over $3 billion in losses annually. Although there are many different types of scams, there are some basic principles that you can educate your seniors on to help them from becoming a victim. Of course, we can't cover every scam that is out there but we can provide some general tips and a framework for recognizing scams. Join us for this important conversation around safety, scams, and solicitations. We are so happy to have Renee Skoglund, Gerontologist, back with us today. Renee Skoglund shares about: How many older adults are affected by scams each year? What is the economic impact of these solicitations? What are the most common scams that we should pay attention to right now Some good tips and ways we can educate ourselves to recognize when a possible scam or solicitation is taking place How do we approach these conversations with our loved ones? For those working in a senior living community- what advice would you pass along in ways to best educate or advocate for our residents? What steps we can take to get back on track if we fall victim to a scam Renee Skoglund has worked in the Gerontology field for over 30 years, focusing on creating, implementing, updating, managing, and improving programs for people over 50. Programs included the creation of a hospital-based adult day program, a hospital-based membership program, starting her own company to maximize activity, engagement, and happiness, which result in a better quality of life. Several of the programs received national awards. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

How do we make meaningful connections while we are caregiving? Is there a right way to care for our loved ones that have dementia? How do I deal with all of the emotions that we feel as caregivers- the stress, the guilt? Today, we learn how families and caregivers can have peace of mind and understand that there is a better way to communicate and improve the quality of our relationships with our loved ones. It is my pleasure to interview Laura Wayman. She is an author, a caregiver, a coach, a family counselor and also known as the "The Dementia Whisperer". She is an internationally recognized dementia care expert and her mission is to change the world in a way that memory care services are provided and those that suffer from memory care impairments. Her innovative approach to caregiving has given her valuable insights on how caregivers can enhance and even enjoy their relationships with their loved ones. Laura is the author of A Loving Approach to Dementia Care, making meaningful connections while caregiving. We talk about her book today and the lessons learned. She is a sought-after speaker with extensive experience and she is sharing her knowledge with others about becoming dementia aware. Laura Wayman shares about: The profound stress that caregivers carry Why we shouldn't be that "self-less" caregiver How our loved ones with dementia are most in tune with our emotions over our words and how our stress as a caregiver can impact our interactions Is there a "right" way to care for our loved ones? What is the dementia "elephant"? That successful communication can come from using the Affirmative response Method We are encouraged to move forward and there's hope in successful communication For more information visit https://laurawayman.com/ & to purchase Laura's book A Loving Approach to Dementia Care visit HERE! We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

It has been said that grief is as individual as a fingerprint. It's complex and it's personal. I have found that to be true in my life and in conversation with other caregivers. How do we process our grief? How do we start to find some semblance of healing in the midst of caring for a loved one and anticipating the loss? Dr. Eboni Green is my guest today and she has firsthand experience in how deep loss can expose our need for a safe place to talk about our grief and to process our pain. I admire Dr. Eboni Green's work, I admire her heart and her gentleness. I'm so thankful she shares her personal story, professional journey, and insight into grief with us. Dr. Green is a registered nurse and a family caregiver. She holds a Ph.D. in human services specializing in healthcare administration. She is the CEO and Co-Founder of Caregiver Support Services, a nonprofit organization that provides resources solutions and support for caregivers. Dr. Eboni Green shares about: What challenges are caregivers facing right now What type of grief is most present when we are caring for our loved ones How do we hold space for others when they are sharing their grief How do we make protective plans when we are grieving What emotions should we pay attention to that are related to grief Why is it important for us to work through our grief How do we channel our emotions and grief into reflection Why it's important to document this process How do we know we are on the journey to healing As we also work through loss and heartache- what resources are available For more information visit Caregiver Support Services. Dr. Eboni Green has extensive experience focusing on caregivers' health and wellness, with an emphasis on caregiver stress, burnout, and related family conflicts. Green has contributed to publications and given presentations that focus on training, assessing, and supporting caregivers. Green is a published author and has written three books focusing on family caregiving: At the Heart of the Matter, Caregiving in the New Millennium, and Reflections from the Soul. Dr. Eboni Green is the CEO and Co-Founder of Caregiver Support Services, a non-profit organization that is "a company that focuses on family and frontline caregivers. Our mission is to help people become great caregivers for the people and patients around them. It takes a team of people to help others and find solutions for the betterment of the community. We know that health can sometimes be stressful, but with the right support system and focused knowledge, offering care to those in need can be a rewarding experience." We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

In 2003, Dr. Heather McKay had just begun working in occupational therapy when her beloved grandmother was diagnosed with vascular dementia. The family's challenge merged Heather's work and personal life—inspiring her career and fueling a larger mission to improve life for people living with dementia and their myriad caregivers. Over a decade of caregiving, her family gathered knowledge of dementia, learned new skills, and adapted together through every stage of the disease—a collaborative and transformative experience that Heather credits for her success as much as any formal training. Through it all, Heather emerged as an international thought leader in dementia care and caregiver education and one of the industry's most sought-after trainer/speakers. As manager of Partnerships for Health, Heather provides training for professional and family caregivers and consultation with organizations on topics related to dementia care. In 2009, Heather collaborated with the National Association of State Veterans Homes and other Veterans' associations to produce the caregiver training video series, Dementia Care for America's Heroes. The film series received the national Caregiver Friendly Award and is available online at www.pfhnc.com. Heather is featured in other caregiver education produced by Stanford University, Maine Employers' Mutual Insurance Company, ComForCare, and At Your Side Home Care across the US and Canada. In 2016, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America named Heather "Dementia Care Professional of the Year" for her dedication and devotion to serving individuals living with dementia, their families, professionals, and her community. She's also been awarded by her occupational therapy peers for "humanitarian values, knowledge, and visionary leadership." In her characteristically down-to-earth, fun and informative style (and signature southern Appalachian accent) Heather helps caregivers understand dementia's impact on communication, why communication breakdowns happen, and how to improve our interactions with people living with the disease—making life better for everyone involved! Dr. Heather McKay shares about: Basic dementia-related knowledge—what every caregiver needs to know! Specific brain changes affecting communication Real-world stories of communication challenges that will resonate with you whether you are a professional, family caregiver, or someone living with dementia Practical, ready-to-use communication strategies to make doing things together easier, social visits more enjoyable, and dealing with distress safer and more effective. Valuable lessons learned from her practice and research with dementia caregivers nationwide. For more information visit https://pfhnc.com/ Dr. Heather McKay is an occupational therapist, dementia care specialist, and international trainer/speaker. She provides training for professional and family caregivers and consultation with organizations on topics related to dementia care. For more information about Dr. Heather McKay, our podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

The city lights, the energy, the hope of dreams waiting to come true - Adrienne Glusman loved living in New York City. Having just graduated from college, she was beginning her life and making the most of living in the city with her friends. One day, she received a phone call that would change her life. Her mom, Hetty, was diagnosed originally with Parkinson's disease which eventually would be Multiple System Atrophy. What do you do when all of the timelines and plans you had for your life change? The trajectory of life that you thought you were on, shifted? There is a rise in young millennial caregivers. Caregiving is unique for this age group and provides its own set of challenges and rewards. Fueled by moving caregiving initiatives forward, Adrienne Glusman has documented her caregiving story with her mom and is the host of the podcast Young Life Interrupted, where she shares her story, offers support, and encourages us to be present and live with hope. Thank you, Adrienne, for your honesty, candor and ability to share your story with real emotion. Shedding a tear with you was an honor. Adrienne shares about: *How she made the decision to go from long-distance caregiving to moving close to her mom *All of the emotions that happen in caregiving *The rise of millennial caregivers *What resources and support look like for millennial caregivers *Her journey while caring for her mom *What its like to see your life on hold while everyone around you is moving forward *Do we need to change our language around caregiving? *What life is like post caregiving For more information and to connect with Adrienne visit www.willGatherPodcast.com and follow here: Facebook group -> facebook.com/groups/younglifeinterrupted Instagram -> @Adrienne Glusman Young Life Interrupted Podcast: Apple podcasts -> https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/young-life-interrupted-a-podcast-for-young-caregivers/id1578015965 Spotify -> https://open.spotify.com/show/6Bve0C7xjldfEEOw43w5pk?si=QHybp81QS_q9x2njYX0gAA&dl_branch=1 Adrienne Glusman is professional speaker, ambassador and advocate on the topic of Millennial Caregiving, sharing her story and journey as an only-child caregiver to her mom, Hetty, who passed away in 2020 after living with Multiple System Atrophy since 2010. Adrienne's story as Hetty's caregiver was featured in a Wall Street Journal article, 'The Call To Care for Aging Parents Comes Sooner Now'. LISTEN NOW: Apple Podcasts, Spotify & on your favorite podcast platform. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Happy Holidays to all of our listeners. I want to express my gratitude to you- wishing you many blessings this holiday season. A special message to all of you is included in this short episode. Also, we have new cover art for our podcast! We've updated our look and it's much easier to see what we are all about. As much as we loved the image of my grandma on our previous podcast cover- we felt it was hard to read and see the small icons used in the podcast world. We will be back in January, 2022- see you soon! In gratitude, Nicole www.willgatherpodcast.com

An accident can change everything. The fall of a 7,000 lbs. tree, while riding her bicycle on her wedding anniversary, left Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D. paralyzed from the waist down. Coming home from the hospital in a wheelchair was a rude awakening. Rosemarie knows firsthand how our homes can either offer frustration or ease and independence. This led to her life's work and personal mission of educating those in the housing industry, government policymakers, and the public about universal design, green building expertise, and aging in place. The goal is to provide accessibility for those who wish to stay in their home for as long as possible to support those family caregiving needs. Dr. Rosemarie Rossetti's work is inspiring as she challenges us to rethink design and accessibility. Thank you, Rosemarie, for having important discussions around re-imagined living and workspaces. Dr. Rosemarie Rossetti shares about: *How her accident and return to home shaped her life's work *What is universal design? *Why this generation of boomers are making the choice to age differently than their parents *The benefits, features and financial advantages around universal design *What can people do to make their homes safer and more accessible? *What features does a sustainable home provide? *Rightsizing vs. downsizing *What are some of the challenges facing the housing industry, government policymakers, and the public at large to address and meet the needs of housing for an exponentially growing aging population? *All about the Universal Design Toolkit Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D. is a powerful, internationally known speaker, trainer, author, consultant, and president of Rossetti Enterprises Inc. since January 1997. Her company is certified as a Disability-Owned Business Enterprise. She is the author of the book the Universal Design Toolkit, Time-saving ideas, resources, solutions, and guidance for making homes accessible. The Universal Design Living Laboratory is included in the second edition of the Universal Design Handbook. To Learn More About Dr. Rosemarie Rossetti: www.RosemarieSpeaks.com To Learn More About the Universal Design Living Laboratory and the Universal Design Toolkit: www.udll.com Her TEDx talk video about the Universal Design Living Laboratory can be viewed at https://www.rosemariespeaks.com/ We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Today, Dr. Mary Flett challenges us to not only age better but also age well. Aging with Finesse spurs us to look at new ideas and opportunities as we age- Dr. Mary Flett shares strategies, insights and wisdom from her many years of clinical practice working with aging adults. Recently retired from private practice as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Mary Flett, continues providing service to many aging adults. Through years of conversations, observations and practice she created the Five Pillars of Aging which started out as a weekly lecture at an assisted living community and was given life through a weekly blog and now a series of books- Aging with Finesse, a compilation of three books that navigates valuing ourselves as we grow older, connecting with ourselves and others as we age and essential skills for growing older with grace. This series was specifically designed to dive deeper into strategies for aging better and aging well. This conversation is thought-provoking and lighthearted- Dr. Mary exudes warmth and authenticity that had me extending our conversation and looking forward to many more. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us, Dr. Mary! Dr. Mary Flett shares about: *How her influential relationship with her grandfather shaped her perspective on aging, caregiving, and her life's work *Her unique perspective on aging as a clinical psychologist and many years of practice *What is Aging with Finesse? *The skills needed to adapt and accommodate to the challenges of aging *We talk about the language around aging and societal assumptions *Locating reliable resources *Insights on policy and navigating the medical system *How do we re-enter life after Covid? *The call to all of us to not only age better, but age well For more information visit @fivepillarsofaging The Aging with Finesse series of books are available on Amazon & your local bookstore. Books mentioned: Being Mortal by Atul Gawande Elderhood by Louise Aronson Dr. Mary L. Flett recently retired from private practice as a clinical psychologist providing services to aging adults. After 20-plus years in private practice, along with working as a crisis-intervention specialist, research assistant, quality improvement specialist, and program manager, in three different counties in California, she has turned her life's work into Five Pillars of Aging, helping all of us to age better and age well. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Jeremy Knopow set out to fulfill a promise he made to his late father who was diagnosed with ALS to make products better for those needing them. As a successful product designer, he was embarrassed by the lack of form and function that dated walkers provided. After spending many years researching and talking with users of walkers, older adults, caregivers, physicians, physical therapists, and many others- the Motivo Tour walker was created. Today I interview Jeremy Knopow, Co-Founder of Motivo, a company that has brought forth change in the walker industry by bringing thoughtful design, functionality, dignity, and independence. As Jeremy mentions, "This industry has been engineering devices for medical conditions as opposed to designing products for people. Those are two very different things...". We are encouraging families and older adults that use walkers or are looking to use the walkers that there is a better way. We talk about- what leads to walker use? The history of the original walker, a bigger conversation takes place about why these products have not been reinvented for so long and the call to designers and creators to look at what can we do to reinvent products for older adults, and create new products to provide solutions to common problems. I can't wait to see what Jeremy and Motivo design next! Thank you, Jeremy, for being a changemaker and making our world better. As a gift to our listeners- Motivo is giving $100 off your order- using the code WILLGATHER100 For more information and to place an order, visit https://www.buymotivo.com/ Jeremy Knopow is a Product Designer and Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years of Fortune 100 new product development experience at companies including Kohler, SC Johnson, Fiskars, and Procter and Gamble. In 2012 following his late father's battle with ALS, Knopow co-founded Motivo, Inc. to reinvent the world of mobility aids. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

On average, caregivers are missing up to 6.6 workdays per year- that is the lost productivity and turnover. Let alone the stress caregivers feel trying to juggle caring for their loved ones and being productive at work. How can the workplace support those caring for our older adults when they need it most? What if companies could ease this burden? What are some options to make the caregiving journey a little bit easier? How do we identify a workplace as caregiver-friendly? Today we talk with Marie Gress, CEO of Kovir, LLC. Kovir is a social enterprise that helps aging sector organizations increase their capacity and impact. Marie is a licensed master level social worker with specialties in macro practice and older adults. She shares about the important work that Kovir is a part of and we're so happy she's here with us today to talk about this important topic- creating a caregiver-friendly workplace. To contact Marie Gress and learn more about Kovir, LLC. Visit https://kovir.org/ We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Moving your loved one into a senior living community can bring up many mixed emotions- how can we ensure our loved one has a smooth transition into their new home? Is my loved one meeting new friends? Are they happy? Who are all these new people that we are interacting with each day? Families experience many emotions when moving their loved one into a new community- guilt, relief, fear, happiness- for each family there are a unique set of circumstances that have led them to this place. We are talking about this today with Corey Hermans -Webster, she has a unique background working in different senior living communities, earning two master's degrees, and is a certified dementia practitioner. Corrie is passionate about accessibility, inclusivity, and making those around her feel happy and fulfilled in their lives. Corrie is on the product team Eversound which is an advanced listening system that is designed to use in senior living communities to enhance your loved ones' ability to hear and feel a part of the community. Corrie shares about: *How families and senior living communities can support smooth transitions for our loved ones *We talk about the roles various departments play in a community and how we can effectively communicate our loved one's needs *How the Life Enrichment and Activity Departments can aid in fostering relationships and community *We discuss the many mixed emotions that we face as we move our loved ones into their next home *Tips on overcoming impairments that can make connections challenging *How we overcome possible Covid restrictions and safely engage and communicate with our loved ones For more information visit https://eversoundhq.com/ AD: Visit Joe & Bella: One stop shopping for the older adult in your life. Use the promo code GATHER to receive 10% off your first purchase at Joe & Bella. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Food and conversation play a substantial role in our lives. What happens when we bring our loved ones into the kitchen? We are continuing our conversation today with Melissa Bernstein. She is an author and occupational therapist as well as the Founder of Dynamic Companies which provides healthcare clinical and operational consulting to a wide variety of healthcare organizations. She brings 35 years of clinician, consulting, and geriatric rehabilitation experience. We look at why the Power of 5 Test Kitchen Cookbook- Caregiver Edition is different from other cookbooks and how we can successfully bring our loved ones into the kitchen for a meaningful experience. Melissa shares about: *How the Power of 5 Test Kitchen began and the connection to The Power of 5: The Ultimate Formula for Longevity & Remaining Youthful *What collaboration looks like for those with neurodegenerative disorders and the caregiver *What happens when we bring our loved ones into the kitchen with us and how we can shift our mindset around creating meals together *Why is my loved ones appetite decreasing and other caregiver questions *Easy and actionable steps for those that don't know where to start For more information visit https://davidbernsteinmd.com/books/cookbook-caregiver-edition/ We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Dr. David Bernstein is a highly respected physician who is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. He has 40 years of experience providing him with many opportunities to serve and empathize with thousands of adults as they age. Throughout this time in his career, he has learned and walked through many life journeys with the older adults that he served. This led him to continue his great work through writing and speaking about his observations. This is a dynamic conversation as we look at longevity, healthy aging, and actionable steps to live a happy, healthy lifespan- or as Dr. Bernstein would say "a happy health-span". Dr. David Bernstein shares about: -What is a geriatrician? -What he has learned from taking care of adults as they age -The Power of 5: Five attributes that lead to a happy, healthy, and longer life -The leading cause of illness and disability and what they have in common -How talking about sex drives important conversation around life and intimacy -What are the challenges that baby boomers and caregivers face with their aging parents and care recipients and how we can overcome them For more information visit davidbernsteinmd.com We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please follow for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

In 2006, Loretta Veney's mom was diagnosed with dementia. She immediately began learning everything she could about the disease and becoming an advocate for her mom in the process. Loretta is the author of Being My Mom's Mom, Refreshment for the Caregiver's Spirit, and Colors Flowing from My Mind. Loretta and her Mom have been featured in articles in the Wall Street Journal, Psychology Today, The Washington Post, The NY Times, AARP Caregiver Stories, as well as a PBS special. In 2019, Loretta was selected as Trailblazer of the Year by Johns Hopkins Medicine. Loretta and her Mom have been selected as one of Robin Roberts Thriver Thursdays profiles for 2021. She shares her positivity with us, her humor, and what she has learned along the Alzheimer's journey. Her personal story and perspective are encouraging as we learn more about dementia and talk about her impactful work with Lego bricks and caregivers. Loretta Veney shares about: *Alzheimer's and the various dementia terms *Loretta's story and what to expect along the Alzheimer's journey *How families can be set up for success and look at various stages of care *Her important work with Lego bricks- how they create connection and meaningful conversation *Her encouragement and positivity moves caregivers to action and confidence For more information visit: https://lorettaveney.com/ We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please subscribe for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

At times we overlook practical tools that make our life easier. They're simple yet impactful. Families want simple tips to help ease their burden and fight caregiver burnout. I came across a lot of questions around incontinence and bedding in the different caregiver groups that I'm a part of- this piqued my interest in talking about incontinence and products that can make life a little bit easier. Lessening the caregiver load is something we all need as were caring for a loved one. Most people over 65 will have some obstacles when it comes to incontinence. In fact, in the year 2030, there will be roughly around 58 million caregivers. Most people want to age in their home and a common driver for a loved one moving into a senior living community is needing support with incontinence. Simple products can ease the caregivers' burden and offer opportunities to remain aging in the home. Realizing how valuable a conversation and product around incontinence and bedding is led me to my conversation with Maxwell Cohen. He is the founder and CEO of Peel Away Labs, a new alternative to traditional bedding. Peel Aways Labs has an international presence and was named 2021 Caregiver Friendly Product of the Year by Caregiver.com, Peelaways increases Dignity and Confidence when caring for a loved one. The idea for waterproof disposable sheets came to him when he was in college then grew when he came home for a visit with his Grandma. Her need for support and maintained dignity after surgery led Maxwell to expand his product and reach our older adult population. For more information visit https://peelaways.com/ We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please subscribe for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

In this episode, we interview Cathy Braxton creator of Improv for Caregivers. We see many families have questions- what is sundowning? Why do we use that term? How does it affect my loved one? We talk about the role that sleep plays in our older adults' lives and why it's important to decipher between sleep deprivation and sundowning. Cathy shares ways that we can be set up for success when managing symptoms, how we can create more ease in our day with our loved ones, and why it's important to not take these challenging times personally. Cathy Braxton is the Founder of Improv for Caregivers. She has worked in the aging industry for over 20 years managing memory care units, directing activity programs, case management, support group facilitation, and in-home care. Cathy has completed all of her coursework for her Masters degree in Health Psychology and Gerontology Studies and is a published author and blogger for The Chicago Tribune. Visit www.improvforcaregivers.com In this episode we reference a previous podcast- more information can be found here. For more information about our podcast, guests & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please subscribe to our podcast so you don't miss an episode and email [email protected] for any listener questions. Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

We live in a world where youth is envied and we are told to age gracefully. We are sold wrinkle creams and injections but in fact, aging is something we are doing every day. The act of growing old and everything with it is one of our most treasured experiences as human beings. How do we shift our minds that around this? How can we go deep and find out exactly who we are and embrace the process of getting older? My guest today is a thought leader and expert in age philosophy, Kathleen O'Brien. She is the author of Reclaim Your Right to Grow Old. She has researched aging for over 13 years and has taught classes about growing older through the University of Denver. You can find her work at growoldbehappy.com. Join us as we look at shedding constraints society puts on us as we age. For more information about our podcast, guests & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please subscribe to our podcast so you don't miss an episode and email [email protected] for any listener questions. Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

What started with a few simple questions in her grandma's kitchen led Sky Bergman on a meaningful pursuit to capture the life history and wisdom of our older adults. This film has now become a catalyst to connect the generations. In a world where we are often focused on youth, Lives Well Lived is a refreshing look at the life experiences of 40 older adults between the ages of 75 and 100 years old. Gathering over 3000 years of collective life history- taking their personal accounts of life and history and bringing them to life. I knew that I wanted to share this film and story with all of you. I had tears in my eyes at some points, I laughed and had some a-ha moments. What is a Life Well Lived? What can we learn from our older adults? What is the inspiration for the film? So many people have poured into our lives and our history- we cannot take these stories or their wisdom for granted. Sky, you are a delight. Your film is impactful. Thank you for your hard work and passion for this project. Don't miss this film, my friends. "Beginning with its premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Lives Well Lived has screened in more than 200 cities. The film has won eight awards, and the theatrical run garnered enthusiastic reviews and a 100% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Organizations like Aging 2.0, AARP's Movies for Grownups, Encore.org, and Leading Age have screened Lives Well Lived. Now the film is available on PBS!" Sky Bergman is an accomplished, award-winning photographer. Lives Well Lived is Sky's directorial debut. Sky Bergman currently is a Professor of Photography and Video at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, CA. To learn more about the Lives Well Lived PBS broadcast visit: https://www.pbs.org/show/lives-well-lived/ The Lives Well Lived website is: https://www.lives-well-lived.com To share your story visit: https://www.lives-well-lived.com/shared-stories For resources and film discussion guide visit: https://www.lives-well-lived.com/resources We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please subscribe for updates, rate & review! For more information about our podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather. Available wherever you find your podcasts!

I just wanted to say Thank You so much. We've had an incredible year together with many wonderful guests with so much knowledge, information and great conversation. We are going to take a little break as we move through the summer. We have really exciting guests lined up for the fall and we'll be back with more interesting conversations and interviews. I hope you have a great rest of your summer and we'll see you this fall of 2021. For more information about our podcast, past episodes and guest information visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Nicole Will is the host and founder of willGather, LLC.

When Susan's mom, like many elders, endured many months of isolation in her assisted living apartment, she had one request for her daughter, "Can you bring the world to me?" As a lifelong traveler, she missed getting out and seeing the world. Susan's response was, "We should never ever have to stop exploring or revisiting places that we have dreamed about or that we love just because of our current circumstances." This inspired Susan "to develop Wowzitude: a remote, community-based travel club, live-streaming interactive travel programs and tours, designed to encourage conversations, meet locals around the world, and explore or revisit destinations together." As a lifelong travel lover, thank you Susan for sharing the world with us. Looking forward to seeing you grow and I'll be there looking for my next trip! Susan shares about: The creation of live-streamed, 2-way global tours, zoomed into senior communities and older adults' homes. The unique benefits that travel brings. The many destinations, programs and "travel chats" that Wowzitude covers. Susan shares how they are growing. The many ways they provide immersive and dignified travel experiences for older adults. The social benefits Wowzitude offers https://wowzitude.com/social-and-brain-benefits How families and caregivers can connect with their loved ones and have shared meaningful experiences. For more information about Wowzitude please visit: https://wowzitude.com/ We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please subscribe for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Essentially, we are living two lives as a caregiver- one of our own and the other of the person we are caring for, how exhausting is that? How do we keep up that pace? We don't. Not without really caring for ourselves. Today, I interview Jo Bregnard. She is a cancer survivor and caregiver. She is a certified Yoga teacher as well as trained in Thai bodywork, Reiki, Yoga 4 Cancer, and Yin Yoga. She brings her caregiving journey and experiences into our conversation today and we talk all about how she can help caregivers support themselves with yoga and everyday self-care practices. Jo and I talk about: How our stories lead us to purpose Family caregiver needs and challenges The importance of not forgetting different pieces of yourself What is self-care and why we need it Simple ways to add self-care into caregiver's day How we can incorporate self-care with our loved one What can we do with our loved ones to incorporate self-care Encouragement to caregivers FREE Self-Care Mini-Retreat To connect with Jo, please visit https://www.jobregnard.com/ We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please subscribe for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Each person has different emotional needs and preferences. How do we meet those needs? How do we measure the emotional well-being of older adults in real-time? How do we quantify emotions? Roy Tal is the CEO and founder of SOLO, a well-being virtual assistant that utilizes artificial intelligence to scan an older adult's face using a responsive algorithm to offer a personalized experience to improve the emotional well-being of the older adult in your community. Roy brings humanity to technology by marrying advanced facial recognition with value-driven data to improve care and overall health of older adults. "SOLO is an interactive, contactless app to ensure the mental and emotional health of your community residents, all without relying on the physical presence of staff or family members. Using Facial Recognition, SOLO gives each resident personalised interaction, has the power to improve mood, is highly adaptable to the emotional needs of each resident, and is available any time of day or night!" Roy shares about: The story of SOLO Some of the challenges that senior living communities and families face in trying to meet the emotional needs of the older adults in their care The benefits of using SOLO for older adults As emotions can be hard to identify and measure - how does tech like SOLO measure emotional well-being How AI identifies emotions better than humans How family members can successfully facilitate SOLO for loved ones How data can be leveraged and deployed to improve elder care Varying loneliness and caregiving concerns in Israel vs. Japan vs. the USA Today, SOLO provides services to more than 30 Communities throughout the World including Israel, Japan, USA and more. For more information about SOLO, please visit https://www.imsolo.ai/ We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please subscribe for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

After Lucinda received her father's dementia diagnosis so many questions came- Who can I call? What's next? Who will support me? There are millions of unpaid family caregivers and millennials make up roughly 1/3 of multi-generational family caregivers. As a young family caregiver, there is a deep to feel heard and supported. Lucinda Koza is the founder and CEO of I-Ally. Out of her frustration came creation, Lucinda found that there is a lack of support and resources and that fueled her to create I-Ally, which is a community-driven app that "saves millennial family caregivers time, reduces stress, and enables informed decision-making by providing services that fulfill their unique needs." Lucinda Koza is the founder and CEO of I-Ally. I have always enjoyed each and every interview that I have done- but this one was so impactful for me as Lucinda and I had a real, raw, and vulnerable conversation around millennial caregiving. She is brave and honest and I believe, is making a huge difference in making change for unpaid family caregivers. Lucinda shares about: How did you move from trauma into creation? What are those different levels of grief and loss- we talk about all of those varied and conflicting emotions that exist in caregiving. What support systems are in place and what do family caregivers need? Are we are moving into a place of public recognition of caregiving? Or do we have a long ways to go? Do we have more millennials caregivers today? Or are we just more aware of it as we are connected to issues via technology? Why is that? That there is power in vulnerability- the power in not forgetting, documenting our journeys and sharing with others. What do young caregivers need? How can others show up and support them? Some favorite resources for millennial caregivers. What challenges do millennial caregivers face that other caregivers do not? At a legislative level- where are we at? Families need relief and how can we get involved in change? Lucinda Koza is the founder and CEO of I-Ally, a community-driven app that saves millennial family caregivers time, reduces stress, and enables informed decision-making by providing services that fulfill their unique needs. For more information about I-Ally, please visit https://i-ally.com/ We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please subscribe for updates, rate & review! For more information about our podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

The world of real estate for older adults and family caregivers can be overwhelming- but it doesn't have to be. As you are managing your loved ones' home or property, the help of professionals with valuable insight can help with questions and offer advice on being proactive thinking outside the box on what to consider if you are in a time of transition. So many times there are emotions involved- there is loss, change, grief, as well as relief. Jennifer Greene, CEO of Property Haus, has always been in the business of helping people. She began her career in anti-human trafficking and sexual violence work and transitioned to real estate in 2017. While that may seem like a big leap, she has always kept her focus on helping people first. Property Haus is the "go-to" for assisted living facilities, older adults, and caregivers when it comes to helping in the transition for families. They create a holistic solution and network referral program for their seniors. They believe in looking at the family as a whole and asking what they can do to help in that transition. With their large network of working with attorneys, they are able to assist families with real estate questions and needs. They create helpful solutions to assist older adults and family caregivers in need. Jennifer and I talk about: What to look at as your living situation needs change? How can real estate professionals provide holistic solutions? How can families manage homes and properties even if they are out of state and long-distance caregiving? An overview of the process of probate and inherited real estate An understanding of the proactive decisions with assets acquired We talk about those personal stories that connect us The importance of community and building relationships early on in the process of life transitions How do we start having hard conversations with our loved ones How we re-frame questions to move hard conversation forward? Steps family caregivers can take to manage real estate concerns To learn more about Property Haus visit https://www.propertyhauspartners.com/ & find Property Haus on Facebook for their resources and education as well. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please subscribe for updates, rate & review! For more information about our podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather. Available wherever you find your podcasts!

When families and caregivers are searching for the "right" community for their loved ones, the activity and life engagement program is one of the most important factors in that search. How will mom or dad be able to live out their joys and interests? Are they building community and fostering growth in relationships wherever they live? How is the community building relationships to better engage residents and provide care? In the last year we've seen how imperative a vibrant life enrichment program is, but most importantly how vital connection, community and relationships are. These two women are deeply passionate, have extensive experience, and carry the belief that engagement matters for our older adults. Sara and Kelly offer insight into: How can families determine their loved ones life enrichment needs? Why is that important? What should families look for in a valuable life enrichment/engagement program when choosing a senior living community? What does a great life engagement program look like? If they have their loved one in a community and they want to see change in the program, how would you suggest they go about that? Where has the profession been and where is it going? What role should executives and other departments play in a life engagement? Where can life enrichment professionals go to find helpful information? What language have we used to describe life enrichment and what do you recommend we use now? What encouragement can you give families, Life enrichment professionals and the senior community on the future landscape of life engagement for older adults? They offer customized mentorship and consulting for life engagement professionals, senior living communities, and businesses. LE3 provides resources, tools, and content for all things life engagement! "At LE3 Solutions we bring a combined 25 years of experience in the resident engagement and well-being space. Our combined history has focused on programming philosophy creation, program design and implementation, identification of metrics connected to organizational objectives to measure within resident engagement to quantify success and financial asks, significant focus around physical wellness offerings, and collaboration with marketing, dining, and nursing. The value proposition we provide a community or a system of communities is an outside, forward thinking perspective. We break down what residents want, staff abilities and resources, and the current marketing message to create a step-by-step process to take your resident engagement program to the next level. Interested in increasing physical offerings to keep residents more mobile and independent? Wondering how to capture resident interests effectively and then actually apply them? Not sure if a resident portal platform is the right investment for your community? LE3 Solutions can help every step of the way to ensure residents are highly engaged and staff loves coming to work each day. At LE3 Solutions we aim to link arms and be partner alongside each of our clients." You may visit https://www.le3solutions.com/what-we-do to get to know the partnership of LE3 Solutions better. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please subscribe for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather. Available wherever you find your podcasts!

How do we avoid burnout and find healing in our role as a family caregiver? Our worlds of caring for our children and also for our older adults are colliding. Oftentimes we are "sandwiched" between two generations we deeply love and care for. Today, I interview Patricia Sheveland, best-selling author and certified life coach. She is living proof that you can find freedom, balance and flexibility in the multi-generational approach. This book gives us a new perspective of care and partnership. This book was full of practical tools to move forward in our caregiving journey. Thank you Pat for your unique story and the caring compassion in sharing it with all of us. "Her newest book Living Life in the Middle: The Caregiver's Guide to Healing, Hope and Harmony Through Multigenerational Living provides the steps and tools to help caregivers create a life that provides freedom and flexibility to pursue their dreams while still supporting their family." Pat and I talk about: Pat has created B.A.L.A.N.C.E that walks people through their story to find healing. What BALANCE means? How we go from feeling sandwiched to having deep gratitude in our situation? What are those early challenges Pat had when her mom first came to live with her and how did she move through those? So often I hear from caregivers that the wounds from childhood relationship with their parents show up in their caregiving and they have to work through that as well. What advice do you have for them on where to start the healing? What are those rich blessings from living in a multigenerational home? And if someone is thinking about this- where should they start? For more information visit https://www.healingfamilygrief.com/ We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please subscribe for updates, rate & review! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.

Once you've received your loved one's diagnosis- where do families begin to look for help and support? There is an adjustment period needed to be present and understanding of the new diagnosis. Today we talk about what are the dynamics of empathy, what does an empathic family member look like, and how can they be trained and supported for that. P.K. Beville also shares with us: How do we change the perception of aging? What is Virtual Dementia Tour? Receiving a loved one's diagnosis for the first time can feel really scary and overwhelming- where is a good place for families to start learning about dementia and finding support? How can they set up a successful support system? What is our society's perception is of aging and caring for a loved one with dementia is today? P.K. Beville founded Second Wind Dreams®, an internationally-known nonprofit organization created to change the perception of aging through fulfilling elders' dreams and offering educational programs to help caregivers understand the physical and mental challenges facing those with dementia. Established in 1997, Second Wind Dreams is the first organization to focus on granting dreams for elders living in long-term care in the United States. Beville created the internationally-acclaimed Virtual Dementia Tour® (VDT®). Experienced by three million people in 20 countries, the Virtual Dementia Tour® is a scientifically-proven training method designed to build sensitivity and awareness in individuals caring for those with dementia. "Second Wind Dreams® award-winning Dreams Program sheds light on the positive aspects of aging. It is a powerful way to connect society to a forgotten truth about seniors: the truth that age does not erase hopes and dreams. Our program has fulfilled tens of thousands of dreams since our organization's inception in 1997. As each Dream comes true, we witness a ripple effect as the impact of the dream spreads from the elder to everyone who helped make it a reality. The second way we change the perception of aging is by offering educational tools like our patented sensitivity training, the Virtual Dementia Tour. We want to educate and spread awareness about dementia to help caregivers and elder care professionals understand what elders are experiencing. We believe this can lead to better person-centered care." We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please subscribe for updates, rate & review! For more information about our podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather. Available wherever you find your podcasts!

The burnout rate for caregivers is alarmingly high. Stress plays a large role in affecting our health and our ability to properly care for our loved ones. How do we create an effective contingency plan should we or our loved one's caregiver fall ill or are unable to provide care? Stephanie Erickson, author of Plan for Aging Well, was born and raised in California. She has a Master's Degree in Social Work, is a Certified Alzheimer's Disease Treatment Specialist (CADTS) and is licensed in both Quebec and California. Stephanie Erickson walks us through creating a care contingency plan: How can creating a plan give families peace of mind? What are signs we should pay attention to in regards to our health and burnout? As we look at the increasing burnout families are facing and possibly needing to respond quickly in crisis-how do we build a collaborative team from the beginning of the aging journey with our loved one to set us up for success? For families that are overwhelmed, what is the advice you would give them on where to start first? You can learn more about Stephanie at www.stephanieerickson.ca or find her on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts. Please subscribe for updates, rate & review! We love hearing from you and by reviewing our podcast it helps others find us! For more information about our guests, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com Instagram: @willgather Facebook: WillGather Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather, LLC. Available wherever you find your podcasts!