2-13-2020 Episode 20: Navigating the Next Chapter

Terri Stacy and Tina McIntosh catch up on The First Day on WIBC, and Tina talks about The Hau'oli Project, a new initiative from Joy's House! Caregiver Crossing is now a video series to support caregivers during this unprecedented time. Find videos at joyshouse.org, or find our Caregiver Crossing YouTube channel!

This week’s episode of Caregiver Crossing the Podcast covers a sensitive but very important subject for the millions of couples affected by a dementia diagnosis. Dementia and Alzheimer’s diagnoses bring many changes to people’s lives, including changes to intimacy between partners. These changes can be overwhelming, difficult and hard to discuss with others. Jenni Muncie-Sujan, a licensed social worker with Just Friends Adult Day Services in Columbus, IN, sits down with us to discuss how to give a voice to these frustrations and be supported, and how to navigate the changes and this new season in a relationship. (A gentle disclaimer that this podcast does candidly discuss a sensitive topic, and listener discretion may be advised.)

On this week's episode of Caregiver Crossing the Podcast, we sit down with Mindi Winnie (try NOT singing that beautiful name aloud!), Community Programs Coordinator for CICOA, Indiana's largest Area Agency on Aging (AAA), covering Marion County and the seven surrounding "donut" counties. We talk about what exactly IS an Area Agency on Aging, how they serve our community of aging adults and caregivers, and why you should absolutely utilize this amazing resource.

On this week's episode of Caregiver Crossing, we chat with Lauren Guynn, Executive Direcotr of Shepherd's Center of Hamilton County, about the wonderful programming and services they offer to Seniors in their community. Not only are their programs free to anyone 55+ living in Hamilton County, but they include programs like "Together Today," which provides an excellent opportunity for older adults to get together on a regular basis, make new friends, and socialize in an informal environment. An important side benefit is that the participants develop a very caring attitude toward each other and look out for each other’s welfare. The goal of this program is to prevent isolation, one of the greatest risks to the aging community. You can learn more about the Shepherd's Center of Hamilton County by visiting https://shepherdscenterofhamiltoncounty.org/

On this week's episode of Caregiver Crossing the Podcast, we're joined by Lisa Phillips, Program Manager for the Alzheimer's Association Greater Indiana Chapter, to talk about the early stages of Alzheimer's: the signs, the conversations and the benefit to an early diagnosis.

On today's episode of Caregiver Crossing, a Podcast, we're joined by the wonderful Mr. Dave Holder of Assisted Living Locators. Dave works to guide individuals and families through the next chapter of assisted living and long-term care options, helping narrow down choices and help with decisions in what is otherwise typically a very stressful and overwhelming situation. Best of all - his services are FREE to the individuals and families he helps! He's also just an overall lovely human being, and we really enjoyed our time with him at Joy's House. 

On this week's episode of Caregiver Crossing, a podcast, we're joined by Dr. Tara Lineweaver, Professor of Psychology and Director of Neuroscience Minor at Butler University, and Butler Senior Tori Casaburo, a Communications Sciences & Disorders major, to talk about a fascinating study they have been conducting right here at Joy's House! It's called the "Music First Hearing Recovery Study" and it's all about play lists and music and ear wax and oh...they explain it much better. 

On this week's episode of Caregiver Crossing, a Podcast, we're joined by one of Joy's House Board of Directors' newest members, Stasia Demos Mills! Stasia is one of those people that makes you feel like an old friend the minute you meet her. She's warm, funny, and cares deeply for the people she serves at her law practice. She's sharing that warmth and care by joining us as our newest Board Member, and we just cannot wait to see what the future holds! Learn more about Stasia and her vision for the future of Joy's House.

On this episode of Caregiver Crossing, the Podcast, we're asking the question: What is an Adult Day? Many of us - who, statistically, are either currently a caregiver, will become a caregiver, or will be in need of a caregiver on day - do not even know exactly what this service is and how it can serve and keep families together longer. Sarah chats with Leah Jones, Family Care Manager at Joy's House UIndy, about what Adult Day is, how it serves families, and the question that's so hard for us all to understand: Why isn't there an Adult Day Center on every block?!

Happy New Year!! It's our first episode of 2020, and we are joined by four of our favorite women in the world: Miss Mattie, her daughter Theresa, and her two wonderful granddaughters, Erricka and Mackenzie. These four amazing women are obviously family among themselves, but they also beautifully represent exactly what Joy's House is: one big forever family. All four of them have been part of our journey since the very beginning! They talk about what Joy's House means to them (warning: grab the tissues), but really, we cannot imagine Joy's House without them.