Caregiving Gen X Style

24/07/2024

Things have been kind of nutty for us around here for the last week. That's basically us in the image, pulling our respective hair out. We moved our daughter into her first post-college apartment last Thursday. Then, that night, Gagi called us and said she was having chest pains. BAD chest pains. After five days in the hospital and a whole mess of tests, it was determined that she was not having heart trouble, but rather it was related to her rheumatoid arthritis plus another issue aside from that. She's back home now but is a bit weak, so someone has to stay with her all day and night. In the middle of all of that, on Sunday, we took our son to the airport so he could fly to England for two weeks of study abroad. Our next episode (since we're on summer schedule) isn't due out until the third week of August. We're considering an emergency/bonus episode to discuss what we've learned, but we're not sure. Let us know in comments what you think!

21/07/2024

This is a tough one. On the one hand, many nursing homes don’t have near enough staff and that’s placing patient lives in danger. So, forcing them to hire more SEEMS like a good idea. On the other hand, some of those facilities don’t have enough nurses simply because there aren’t enough nurses. What say you?

Researchers studied how many lives would be saved under federal staffing rule for nursing homes.

16/07/2024

NEW EPISODE ALERT: In this all new CGS, we learn about the different styles of caregivers based on scientific research, and the pros and cons of those different styles. What type are you? Plus, hear about our daughter's big news and listen to a dramatic reading of Nana talking in her sleep. Don't miss it!

In this all new CGS, Jennifer and Steve talk about the different styles of caregiving, according to a scientific study. Also, learn about their daughter's big news and Nana's conversation while she slept. Mentioned in the episode: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3146804/ To contact us:....

15/07/2024

Coming tomorrow morning, an all new Caregiving Gen X Style! In this one, Jennifer and Steve talk about your caregiving style. Most of our listeners are primary or secondary caregivers, but how do you actually go about taking care of your elderly loved ones? We look at an actual scientific study that tries to identify all of the different styles. Also, hear about our daughter's big news and Nana's sleeptalking!

19/06/2024

The decorating of Nana's new apartment is finally complete! Well, it's complete for now anyhow. It's never truly done, but the bulk of the "move in" decorating is finished. Here are the last four pictures, which were hung this week by Steve.

18/06/2024

NEW EPISODE ALERT: In this all new CGS, we dive deep into the world of assisted living facilities, or ALFs. What are they, what aren't they, and how do you pick one for your elderly loved one? Also, listen for a strong warning against a particular business. Don't miss it!

Also, we forgot to remind everyone during our recording session that after this show, we're officially switching to summer schedule. Our next episode will come out in the third week of July.

In this all new Caregiving Gen X Style, Jennifer and Steve discuss the ins and outs of ALFs -- what they are, what they aren't, and how to select one. Also, Steve gives a strong warning to avoid a particular business. To contact us: Email: [email protected] Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221 T...

17/06/2024

Coming tomorrow, an all new CGS that we just recorded yesterday, at basically the last minute. We're remembering why we scale back our schedule during the summer, but we got it done for you! In this all new episode, we'll talk ALL about ALFs -- what they are, what they aren't, and how to select one. Steve will also give a warning about a particular business you should avoid like the plague. Don't miss it!

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11/06/2024

Coming in one week on CGS, we'll talk all about the ABCs of ALFs, or assisted living facilities. With Nana living in her second one, and us going through two searches, it's clearly something we've learned a lot about. We'll talk about what they are, what they aren't, and how to search for the right ALF for your elderly loved one. Don't miss it!

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08/06/2024

We promised in the last episode that we'd post some pictures of Nana's new apartment, so here they are! Decorating is still ongoing (and will probably never stop) so things have changed a bit since we took some of these pics. More info is in the captions of the pictures.

04/06/2024

NEW EPISODE ALERT: We hadn’t planned to do this episode, which is why we call it a “bonus.” But, we wanted to tell the story of Nana’s move to her new ALF and discuss all of the lessons we learned. We also preview the episodes we have coming this summer AND … by demand … we have bloopers and outtakes!

In this "bonus" episode (which was planned at the last minute) Jennifer and Steve wrap up loose ends with information about Nana's big move to her new assisted living, and also preview the episodes coming up this summer. PLUS, by demand (Jennifer's demand) we present to you outtakes and bloopers! To...

03/06/2024

Don't forget, we have a bonus episode coming out tomorrow! We'll have all of the stories from Nana's big move, preview our summer episodes, and ... by demand ... we'll give you a heaping serving of bloopers and outtakes!

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28/05/2024

Surprise! Despite saying at the end of the last show that we were moving into our summer schedule and wouldn't be publishing another until later in June, we've decided to give you a bonus episode before that. Look for it next Tuesday morning!

22/05/2024

The movers came in and packed up Nana's apartment today. Moving day is tomorrow, so she's got one night of living in a box maze before she gets to the new ALF. We're strongly encouraging her to go to "Wine Down Wednesday" because she absolutely 100% needs it. Oh, and suddenly everyone at the ALF is really, really nice to her (insert rolled eyes here).

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21/05/2024

NEW EPISODE ALERT! In this all new Caregiving Gen X Style, Jennifer and Steve address a listener voicemail about how our loved ones sometimes forget how to do things that they knew how to do the day before. To address the topic, we welcome back to the show Dr. Mitch Clionsky, board certified neuropsychologist. Dr. Clionsky also gives us some insight into why doctors make our loved ones draw clocks. All that, plus an update on Nana's move to a new ALF. Don't miss it!

In this episode of Caregiving Gen X Style, Jennifer and Steve tackle another question from a listener, and welcome back to the show neuropsychologist Dr. Mitch Clionsky to provide answers. Discussed in the episode are why some loved ones with dementia sometimes suddenly forget how to perform tasks t...

20/05/2024

As we've discussed, Nana is moving to a new ALF! That means the teapots also have to be moved. I'm pleased to announce that they have been packed up by Jennifer with help from Nana, and and have been moved to their new home without incident. Here's what 75 teapots looks like boxed up and loaded into the back of an SUV.

PS: New episode coming tomorrow morning!

17/05/2024

Caregivers who work face a unique set of challenges. We may do a future episode about the topic, but this survey came out this week and we wanted to make sure you knew about it.

A flexible schedule is the workplace benefit most used among family caregivers, according to an S&P Global and AARP survey published Thursday. S&P Global and AARP conducted a survey of 1,200 full-time and part-time employees last fall who said they spent at least six hours a week providing unpaid ca...

14/05/2024

Coming in one week, an all new Caregiving Gen X Style! In this one, we address a voicemail from a listener named Leslie. She was curious about how her mother sometimes completely forgets things that she knew how to do previously (like using her smartphone) but then later regains the knowledge. To get some answers, we brought back a guest from a previous (and much loved) episode. Plus, hear about the ongoing prep for Nana's big move to a new assisted living facility. Nothing is easy, folks!

09/05/2024

We've mentioned before that we have cats. When recording, we always have to consider where our in-house wildlife is. This was the location of one of the animals (our goofy boy cat, Kip) during our last recording session -- directly under Jennifer's feet.

07/05/2024

NEW EPISODE ALERT: In this all new Caregiving Gen X Style, we talk about how "stuff" happens. No matter how prepared you are as a caregiver, surprises will happen. We'll have advice on how to prepare for the unknown. Also, hear how Gagi used young people lingo, and hear ALL about why Nana is moving to a new assisted living facility.

In this all new episode of Caregiving Gen X Style, Jennifer and Steve talk about the things that could go wrong in your caregiving journey, and how to prepare for them. Also, hear about Gagi (inadvertently?) using young-people slang, and about how the last month or so has been one of the hardest in....

06/05/2024

Coming tomorrow, an all new Caregiving Gen X Style! In this one, Jennifer and Steve talk about all of the things that could go wrong in your caregiving journey, and how to plan for them. Also, hear how Gagi (inadvertently?) used young people slang, and learn why the last month or so has been one of the toughest ever for Steve and his mom. Don't miss it!

23/04/2024

NEW EPISODE ALERT! In this all new Caregiving Gen X Style, Jennifer and Steve talk about what it takes to be a great caregiver to a loved one who is in the hospital. Also, learn about Gagi's foot removal and Nana's latest hospitalization. If you like it, don't forget to leave a review!

No matter how healthy your loved one is, there's a good chance that they'll land in the hospital at some point. In this brand new Caregiving Gen X Style, Jennifer and Steve talk about how you we can be the best hospital caregivers we can be. Also, learn why Jennifer suggested removing Gagi's feet, a...

22/04/2024

Coming first thing tomorrow morning, we have an all new CGS! In addition to the main topic of caring for your loved one while they're hospitalized, we have PLENTY of squirrel moments, and an update on Nana's health. Spoiler: She had to go back to the hospital :(

16/04/2024

Coming in one week, an all new CGS! In this one, Jennifer and Steve give tips to help you be the absolute best hospital caregiver you can be. Also, learn why Jennifer suggested removing Gagi's feet, and why Steve was setting up playdates for Nana. Subscribe on your favorite podcast service so you don't miss it!

15/04/2024

Steve here. I have to vent for a moment. Nana has a cell phone again. She had one when she was in the hospital and rehab so she could easily reach me, and she got used to it so I got her one of those simple Jitterbug flip phones. She has a really bad habit of inadvertently pressing down on the volume button. Sometimes it's just once, but just now in the middle of a conversation she turned the thing all the way down to minimum volume. She's hard of hearing. I believe we've mentioned that. As a result, she could no longer hear me. I was literally screaming at the top of my lungs on my phone, "TURN UP YOUR VOLUME -- USE THE VOLUME BUTTONS ON THE PHONE -- TURN IT UP -- TURN IT UP!!!!!!" Finally, she inadvertently turned on the speakerphone and could hear me a little bit and understand what I was trying to tell her. I yelled at her for at least 10 minutes. My blood pressure is through the roof right now. That is all.

10/04/2024

We're thinking about switching our cover art to this image. What do you think?

09/04/2024

NEW EPISODE ALERT: In this all new CGS, Jennifer and Steve chat with an individual who is taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer's Disease. We hear about his caregiving journey, and get a glimpse into his typical day. Don't miss this one! Also, hear about Gagi's recent PT success!

In this episode of CGS, Jennifer and Steve talk with Christoph Sesson, host of the podcast "Living with Alzheimer's with Christoph and Ginny." Christoph tells us about caregiving for his mother, Ginny, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease nearly five years ago. Also, learn about Gagi's recent....

08/04/2024

Coming tomorrow, an all new Caregiving Gen X Style! In this one, Jennifer and Steve talk at length with a caregiver for an elderly loved one with Alzheimer's Disease. We'll hear how he manages, and learn about some of the trials and tribulations of this tough assignment. Also, learn about Gagi's recent success and what happens when Steve suggests that he's Nana's favorite son!

03/04/2024

While you're waiting for the next CGS, here's another opportunity to hear us talk about caregiving. Steve was interviewed on a recent episode of the "Living with Alzheimer's" podcast, talking about the unique challenges we GenXers face when it comes to caregiving. Please give it a listen, and stand by for our next episode, when we'll talk to the host of that show as part of a guest swap!

In this episode on the Living with Alzheimer's podcast, Christoph interviews Steve Mullen , co-host with his wife Jennifer on Caregiving Gen X Style , a podcast by …

01/04/2024

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! Hi all -- Steve here. As you may have heard on our show, Jennifer is a big fan of true crime. Because of that, she's convinced me that we need to switch the format of our podcast if we want to be REALLY popular. I at least talked her into staying near the caregiving space, so hopefully we won't lose many of our loyal listeners.

The new name of our podcast will be "Missing in Assisted Living." We will focus heavily on thefts from ALFs. We're very excited about our first season, called "The Missing Depends," which will feature 10 episodes about the search for a case of adult incontinence briefs that vanished from an ALF in Birmingham, Alabama in 2016. We're also very excited about a watch that went missing from the third floor of an ALF in Boise, Idaho in 2003, and was never seen again. The first episode will be out soon, so stay tuned!

28/03/2024

Hi all! Steve here. I posted about this on my personal Facebook, but I thought it would be appropriate here too. Yesterday I sat with Nana and cleaned out her lockbox. In it was a lot of family history. We found a Spanish gold coin from the 1750s that my father bought before he died in 2001. Goodness knows how much it’s worth. We also found my grandfather’s birth certificate from 1915. We also found some kind of "certificate of preliminary education" from 1958, for the pharmacy school that my father basically failed out of a year or so after that. I scanned it and you can see it below. Weird family history, but it’s ours. I suggest if your parent has an old lockbox around, that you use the next rainy day to look through it. It was actually a really interesting activity.