April is National Humor Month so the perfect guest for this episode is Kelly Conway, author of a new book about growing up with and caregiving for her famous comedian father, “My Dad’s Funnier Than Your Dad – Growing Up with Tim Conway in the Funniest House in America” Kelly shares emotional moments of her childhood and caring for her dad at the end of his life. You’ll laugh and cry and learn some great advice about blended families who don’t always agree on a loved one’s care

Caregiver Wellness News

For Caregiver Wellness News, Sherri shares Volkswagen’s Fun Theory video on how to make health fun for National Stress Awareness Month. She also provides some insights on elder abuse and resources that can help if you fear a loved one is being harmed, exploited or neglected. Sherri also talks about how humor can help our health, and ways for caregivers to get a humor break during the day with her funniest YouTube videos (see below under pop culture).

Pop Culture

For this episode’s Pop Culture segment, Sherri shares various movies on the dark humor of elder abuse (“I Care A Lot”), and the lighter humor of family conflict (“Hanging Up”) and finding nostalgic humor via YouTube with Johnny Carson, Eddie Murphy, Gilda Radner, Tim Conway. For stress relief and healthier behaviors, Sherri shares Volkswagen’s Fun Theory research project in Sweden, “Piano Stairs.”

Well Home Design News

Sherri shares her insights on inserting fun into home design and activities including having board games, framed funny photos that make you laugh or special sayings. The hilarious 50s women advertising images with modern comments from Anne Taintor, which come in magnets, notepads and mugs, are what put a smile on Sherri’s face every time she enters the kitchen (where cooking never seems to come out right and the dishes don’t wash themselves).

Me Time Monday Wellness Hack

This episode takes a cue from Earth Day on April 22 and showcases the wellness trend in forest bathing, part of Sherri’s upcoming book, “Me Time Monday – The Weekly Wellness Edit for a Wonderful Life.” At the end of Sherri’s talk we include a 1-minute virtual forest bathing experience.

RESOURCE LINKS

Kelly Conway, author of “My Dad’s Funnier Than Your Dad – Growing Up with Tim Conway in the Funniest House in America”

Frontiers in Psychology – “Can Exercising and Eating Healthy Be Fun and Indulgent Instead of Boring and Depriving?”

American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine – “The Laughter Prescription: A Tool for Lifestyle Medicine”

National Center on Elder Abuse – checklists, resources, patient and family legal rights

KasemCares.org – legal rights for adult children, updates on current legislation for visitation rights

Anne Taintor – fun home décor and gift ideas for the caregiver in your life (or for yourself!)

Discover the Forest – put in your zip code to find a forest near you

Forest Bathing Finder – find a forest bathing tour, personal guide and sites to visit

Sherri’s articles related to this episode

2022 Well Home Design Trends

Casey Kasem’s Legacy for Caregivers (Forbes June 2014)

Dark Side of Caregiving (Casey Kasem Forbes 2015)

Why Laughter is Crucial for Caregivers  (PBS 2012)

How Seth Rogen is Getting Millennials to Care About Alzheimer’s (PBS Next Avenue 2016)

How Comedy Can Help Caregivers Cope with Coronavirus (Thrive Global 2020)