How to Have the Family CARE Conversation, Smart Home Holiday Gift Guide

Continuing our celebration of November National Family Caregiver Month and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and season of giving , Sherri talks to:

• Donna Benton, associate professor of research at USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and executive director of the USC Family Caregiver Support Center. Donna tells our audience how and when to start the conversation among families about long-term care and end-of-life wishes. She also shares the tools and resources caregivers can use to help these sometimes difficult conversations. Find these links below in our Resources list.

• Mark Gray, founder and CEO of Constant Companion, tells our listeners about some of the great holiday gift buys when it comes to smart home technology – just in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping! But Mark also tells us about how to avoid some of the cybersecurity issues that concern many older adults and family caregivers when it comes to bringing smart home tech into the home.

We also report on the latest news in caregiver wellness, creating wellness home design and Sherri gives her pop culture insights on movie reviews and recent TV news specials:

Caregiver Wellness News

Sherri conducts workshops and educational webinars for family caregivers. Her latest series called “Finding Balance While Caregiving” is a series of webinars launching November 30 through 2022 hosted by Comfort Keepers. Family caregivers and the general public can register here for free.

• Sherri also has several articles below under our Resource links about articles she mentions during the podcast including: the CARE Conversation article, 10 Warning Signs for Long Distance Caregivers, the difference in talking to Moms and Dads.

• Medicare open enrollment ends on December 7. Family caregivers can find information and more details on how Medicare benefits may change in 2022 and what the options are for older adults to make changes in their plans now. Find out more at: Medicare.gov or check out the Medicare Resources Guide

Pop Culture

Sherri discusses the following movie and recent news stories about caring for those with Alzheimer’s:

• Sherri also reviews another great caregiving documentary, “It’s Not a Burden, The Humor and Heartarch of Raising Elderly Parents.” You can find more information on how to stream online or buy the DVD and watch the trailer here:

Wellness Home Design News

• Sherri shares a heartfelt gift idea for an older loved one or a family caregiver in your life. The inspiration is from the HGTV show, “Home Town” where a quilt was embroidered with personal letters from a loved one. Find the source for the quilts at  Sawmill Monogramming in Laurel, MS
• Sherri also offers another source for caregivers shopping for older adults at This Caring Home – a site that offers pros and cons of a variety of products

Me Time Monday Wellness Hack

Sherri ends each podcast episode with a special wellness hack from her upcoming book, Me Time Monday – Weekly Wellness for a Wonderful Life. This episode’s hack for Thanksgiving is “Recipe for Gratitude Gravy.” To read more about gratitude and take the Gratitude Scale Questionnaire read: How Gratitude Grows and the Gratitude Scale

Reminder: “Caregiving Club On Air” listeners receive a 20% discount on all purchases at Blue Star Senior Tech using code CARE 20. Proceeds benefit veterans organizations.

RESOURCE LINKS

USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology

USC Family Caregiver Support Center

Holding a Family Meeting

Constant Companion – reach out with questions or to get your free brochure to: home@constantcompanion.com

Family Caregiver Alliance – great resource for tips on difficult family conversations and more

Blue Star Senior Tech use code: CARE20 for a 20% discount on purchases that also support veterans organizations

USAging (for local area agencies on aging ElderCare.acl.gov or call 1-800.677.1116, which operates Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm ET) for local respite services

Sherri’s articles related to this episode

The Snug Home blog: Mastering the Art of Thanksgiving: Channeling Julia Child

PBS Next Avenue: Difference in Caring for Moms versus Dads

Caregiver Monday blog: How Gratitude Grows and the Gratitude Scale