NATIONAL DAY OF JOY WITH SAUDIA GAJADHAR – COMFORT KEEPERS; Sandwich Generation Month latest news & lifestyle changes, International Self-Care Day July 24, Rucking is the New Walking, Joy vs. Happiness
Our July episode has host and gerontologist, Sherri Snelling, talking with Saudia Gajadhar, Chief Happiness Officer at Comfort Keepers about this year’s National Day of Joy survey among older adults and family caregivers and Comfort Keepers’ role in the new PBS documentary, “Caregiving.”. Find the interview at 21:16 on the podcast.
You can watch Saudia’s previous interviews on our podcast where she shares the annual results from the Comfort Keepers National Day of Joy surveys:
Caregiver Wellness News
(3:48) – July is National Sandwich Generation Month and also International Self-Care Day (July 24) so Sherri shares some wellness secrets from global neighbors found in this video and in her ME TIME MONDAY book). What do Japan, Australia, France, Italy, Greece, England, Finland, The Netherlands, Denmark, India and Sweden bring us to improve our well-being? Watch the video and find out!
As we enjoy the wonders of summer, a new wellness trend is emerging that uses “habit-stacking” – a concept Sherri wrote about in her ME TIME MONDAY book. Habit-stacking is where you take an activity that you already have set in your routine (like walking) and you stack a new wellness activity on top of it to save time. In this instance, you are getting your cardio from walking but with adding the “rucking” weight so you are now also building bone strength as well as improving mental health. Fitness experts say, “rucking is the new walking.” Using a weighted vest or backpack while doing your daily or weekly walks, studies show it improves physical and mental health especially for women who are pre- and post-menopausal. But we can see the advantages for the Sandwich Generation as well. In the podcast, Sherri shares more insights and some cautions before you embark on your rucking journey.
We know dementia caregivers have 2-3x depression, 15% less antibodies to support immune system and overall higher levels of stress than other caregivers. A new study shows caregivers of loved one’s with dementia have even higher levels of stress when a loved one wanders and becomes lost.
Accidents related to getting lost and the burden on caregivers were identified as significant factors contributing to family distress. I was proud to work with Theora Care on its No Fear Campaign that addresses wandering (and falls prevention) for older adults and how age-tech can help our parents and grandparents live an independent life.
As an intro to the interview with Saudia on the National Day of Joy, Sherri shares the difference between happiness vs. joy from her book, ME TIME MONDAY.
Well Home Design News
(56:32) – In our WELL HOME DESIGN NEWS, Sherri focuses on the financial wellness challenges for the Sandwich Generation including a recent Edward Jones and Morning Consult survey showing Sandwich Generation caregivers need more education from financial advisors about long-term care costs; and the actual monetary responsibility many Gen X, Millennials and older Gen Z are taking on caring for children and older parents at the same time.
Self-Care in 7 Minutes Videos for May
Here our the July videos with caregiving hacks that take you 7 minutes or less to do – these are related to July’s Sandwich Generation, International Self-Care Day (July 24), Independence Day for caregivers and Alice in Wonderland Day (July 4).
Check out all of our “Self-Care in 7 Minutes” videos
You can also enjoy all of our “Self-Care in 7 Minutes” series of wellness hack videos (each only 7 minutes long) from Sherri’s “Me Time Monday” book on our YouTube channel
RESOURCE LINKS
“Elder Care Locator – eldercare.gov or call 1-800-677-1116
“Self-Care in 7 Minutes” Wellness Hack Video Series
Click here to find out where to buy Sherri’s Me Time Monday book and learn more about the workshops
Sherri’s Me Time Monday book GoodReads page
Other companies and organizations mentioned in this episode:
Edward Jones and Morning Consult survey
Sherri’s articles related to this episode
Alzheimer’s and Brain Health
Can Loneliness Increase Your Alzheimer’s Risk? (USA Today)
Creating Dementia Friendly Home Design (USA Today)
Female Factor – Research on Why Women More Impacted by Alzheimer’s (PBS Next Avenue)
New Research Finds Flu And Pneumonia Vaccines May Lower Alzheimer’s Risk (Forbes)
A New Study Reveals A Link Between Alzheimer’s Disease & Environmental Risks (PBS Next Avenue)
Wonder Women: Former First Lady Laura Bush and an all-woman brain trust join the brain health movement (ThriveGlobal)
Caregiver Wellness
7 Joyful Workouts (Me Time Monday blog)
10 Global Wellness Hacks for Caregivers (Me Time Monday blog)
National Day of Joy advisor Sherri Snelling (from Caregiving Club website)
How family caregivers can use a Monday routine to reset self-care (Considerable)
How Mondays Can Help Caregivers to Overcome Loneliness and Improve Health (Epoch Times)
9 Ways Caregivers Can Get a Free Respite Break (PBS Next Avenue)
Finding Happiness As a Caregiver (Forbes)
Happiness article (Spanish translation for Univision)
9 Ways Caregivers Can Get a Free Respite Break (PBS Next Avenue)
Paying it Forward – Volunteerism Among Caregivers (USA Today)
How Comedy Can Help Caregivers Cope with Coronavirus (Thrive Global)
June Brings: Alzheimer’s & Brain Health Month, World Music Day and Summer Solstice (Sherri’s blog on music, Brian Wilson, Billy Joel and brain health)
Well Home Design
Biophilic Design on a Budget (Snug Home)
Biophilic Home Design Fuses Nature and Neuroscience (Snug Home)
Creating a Cozy Reading Nook for Unplugging (Snug Home)
Biophilic Home Design Fuses Nature and Neuroscience (Huffington Post)
Creating Dementia Friendly Home Design (USA Today)
0 Comments