National Caregiver Day, Soulmates & Solo Agers, Heart Health Month & Go Red for Women!
Sherri Snelling, corporate gerontologist and “Caregiving Club On Air” podcast host presents our February epsiode with an expert guest interview for National Caregiver Day (January 17):
Carina Edwards, CEO of Quil, a joint venture between Independence Health Group (Independence) and Comcast, talks to us about how technology is supporting the role of family caregiver for older adults living alone at home.
Carina Edwards, CEO of Quil 
Quil app and remote sensors
Caregiver Wellness News
For Valentine’s Day (February 14) Sherri shares statistics on men who are caregivers and are often overlooked when we think of primary family caregivers. She also shares her story about her professional friendship with Dan Gasby and his wife, the late B. Smith. A true caregiving love story, Dan cared for B. during her final years living with Alzheimer’s. The book they wrote together, Before I Forget, telling both sides of how spouses deal with Alzheimer’s – the one who has the disease and the one who is the caregiver – is a poignant must-read for anyone facing this dementia.
Sherri also shares recent research in Caregiver Wellness and a story about women and what to know about heart health. Diane McGonigle was only 52 when she had a sudden “widowmaker” heart attack. Sherri wrote about her story and highlights why knowing your family history is so vital when it comes to women and heart disease.
Sherri also shares recent research on how as few as 6-9 minutes a day can improve your working memory and help your heart health. This underscores the principles of our Me Time Monday program on how “baby steps” and just a few minutes a day (we choose 7 minutes) can support your wellness goals.
Well Home Design News
In Well Home Design News, Sherri talks about the challenges for solo agers and some of the innovations in Maine – where per capita there are more people over age 60 than anywhere else in the country.
She also talks about tips from a recent article she wrote for Porch on what to know before you ask Mom or Dad to come live with you. It’s called the 3 “Ps” – Prevention, Privacy, Personalization.
And, Sherri shares the latest in heart health tech – Kardia Mobile – an app-based sensor that can attach to your smartphone or a credit card size sensor you can carry in a wallet. This digital health device offers an FDA-approved medical grade EKG reading to detect atrial fibrillation, an abnormally fast heart rate that is a leading cause of strokes. I was lucky to work with Dr. Leslie Saxon, a leading cardiologist and expert on digital health at Keck Medicine of USC. Dr. Saxon was part of the clinical trials team for Kardia Mobile.
Me Time Monday Wellness Hack
As always, we end our episode with our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack. This one is part of our “Living Colorfully” theme on how the power of red can energize us, heal us and make us feel love in celebration of National Caregiver Day on January 17, Valentine’s Day (Feb 14) and Heart Health Month. The Me Time Monday Wellness hacks are all part of Sherri’s upcoming book, “Me Time Monday – The Weekly Self-Care Plan to Balance Body, Brain and a Busy Life.”
RESOURCE LINKS
American Heart Association – Go Red Campaign and Heart Health Month
Elder Care Locator – eldercare.gov or call 1-800-677-1116
National Alliance for Caregiving
Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers
Sherri’s articles related to this episode
How to Have the CARE Conversation – USA Today
B. Smith & Dan Gasby on Alzheimer’s– Forbes
Latest report shows rise in male caregivers – Forbes
Famous faces of men as caregivers (blog)
Heart Health by the Numbers – 10 Years of Go Red (Diane McGonigle’s story – originally written for the American Heart Association web site)
Caregiving Conversation Between Your Heart and Your Head – Huff Post
How Technology Is Keeping Caregivers Connected and Calm During COVID-19 – Thrive Global
Silver Surfers: How Technology Helps Seniors and Their Family Caregivers – USA Today “Future of Health”
Three Essential Design Decisions Before Mom or Dad Moves Into Your Home – Porch.com
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