ELDER LAW ATTORNEY HARRY MARGOLIS; NEURODESIGN ACADEMY FOUNDER LINDA KAFKA ON HOME DESIGN; Flip the Script for Older Americans Month; May Mental Health Month tips and campaigns; Pop Culture Bonus: Celebs from Martin Sheen to Bradley Cooper to Seth and Lauren Miller Rogen – New Films About Aging and Caregiving
May is a BIG month and we have two great guests for this episode: Harry Margolis, Elder Law Attorney and Linda Kafka, Founder/Principal of Neuro Design Academy. Since May is both National Elder Law Month and Home Modification Month, these two experts are perfect for this episode to share valuable information caregivers do not want to miss!
Margolis, Bloom, D’Agostino
(18:26)– Sherri talks to Harry Margolis, one of the country’s top elder law attorneys to shine a light on National Elder Law Month. Harry explains how elder law attorneys are different from estate attorneys, why it’s important to have an elder law attorney who practices in the state where you or your older loved one lives, how elder law attorneys can help families save on long-term care costs, how to navigate conflict among blended family members, what to know about filial responsibility laws and more. Sherri and Harry also discuss two recent celebrity legal cases in the headlines: Jay Leno became conservator for his wife, Mavis, who has late-stage dementia; and Gene Hackman, who died with dementia but had a will made 20 years earlier before he was diagnosed. Great insights on what you need to know as a family caregiver when it comes to legal documents and mindfields to avoid.
Neuro Design Academy
(56:50) – Sherri’s second interview is with a pioneeer and leading innovator in environmental design, Linda Kafka, who founded and serves as Principal for the Neuro Design Academy. In the world of building both exterior and interior design, the evolution is in understanding neuroscience to create spaces that are energizing, healing and that blend health and wellness with beauty. When it comes to aging in place, certifications like CAPS are only the beginning. Understanding color psychology, biophilic design and dopamine design is the next frontier. With a nod to May’s National Home Improvement Month, Sherri and Linda have a great converation on how to make our homes wellness spaces for any age. (By the way – Sherri’s next book, “The Snug Home,” is all about neurodesign for wellness home living.)
Caregiver Wellness News
(2:58) – In May we celebrate Older Americans Month. Sherri shares information about a new awareness campaign about ageism where she served as gerontology advisor: the Theora Care “No Fear” campaign. Check out this energizing campaign that focuses on positive mindset as we age (and learn how you can join the movement).
And since May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, Sherri shares some insights from research done by Prof. Jean Twenge at San Diego State University on iGen and social media dangers to teen mental health that can have negative health impacts well into your 50s, 60s and beyond.
Sherri also shares information about the latest educational campaign from the Caregiver Action Network on caring for someone with PTSD (and other great tools you can check out for Mental Health for Caregivers).
And also for Mental Health Awareness Month, there is a great resource for caregivers on a variety of mental health wellness topics: HelpGuide.org Sherri shares the origin story of this organization – it is truly inspiring and their resources are top-notch.
We came across a new app based on Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) to build resilience through life called enlightn.me. that helps guide you to strength against anxiety and other stressors. (Look forward to having the creators on a future podcast to help illuminate the importance of PCEs)
Well Home Design News
(1:38:31) – For our Well Home Design News, we put the spotlight on May’s National Home Improvement Month and National Moving Month. Sherri shares three great resources related to these activities: True Blue Home Service Ally to make handyman and other small home modification improvements; Life Valet – a company designing gorgeous grab bars (we love these!); and a resource for caregivers of older adults: Porch.com.
Pop Culture
Celebrities are stepping up to showcase the realities of aging and caregiving. In May, no less than three documentaries debuted: 1) PBS has Martin Sheen narrating “Aging in America: Survive or Thrive,” and Bradley Cooper’s much anticipated “Caregiving” documentary he produced for PBS includes his own caregiver experience with his father who had cancer (and featuring a Comfort Keeper’s professional caregiver story – Sherri is the CK spokesperson for Alzheimer’s caregiving and their National Day of Joy). In addition, you can stream the Seth and Lauren Miller Rogen’s documentary about Lauren’s caregiving for her mom with early onset dementia, “Taking Care.” Beautifully directed by James Keach, award-winning filmmaker of the Glen Campbell documentary “I’ll Be Me” and the Oscar-awarded “Walk the Line” feature film with Reese Witherspoon playing June Carter Cash and Joaquin Phoenix as the man in black – Johnny Cash.
Self-Care in 7 Minutes Videos for May
Here our the latest videos with caregiving hacks that take you 7 minutes or less to do – these are related to May Older Americans Month and National Mental Health Awareness Month:
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
Harry Margolis: Links to his “Ask Harry” Podcast, elderlawanswers.com and Harry’s books
“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:
National Academy for Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) – resource directory for elder law attorneys in every state
Theora Care’s No Fear Campaign on ageism and a positive mindset for aging
Sherri’s articles related to this episode
Caregiver Wellness
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)
Caregiving Legal News
The Tragic Death of Gene Hackman & the Lessons Learned About Alzheimer’s Caregiving (Sherri’s blog)
Casey Kasem’s Legacy for Caregivers (Forbes)
Dark Side of Caregiving (Casey Kasem second article in Forbes)
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)
Longevity
Barbara Beskind -Smashing Aging Stereotypes (PBS Next Avenue)
David Murdock – 90-year-old billionaire and caregiver (PBS Next Avenue)
Lessons From The World’s Longest Study On Happiness (PBS Next Avenue)
Norman Lear – Longevity, Laughter, Love of America (PBS Nextr Avenue)
Caregiving in the Workplace
Mental Health in the Workplace Benefits Employees (PBS Next Avenue)
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