Aging Together
TL;DR: for adult children of aging parents; for the sandwiched generation
Key themes: aging, caregiving, mental health, caregiver resources, long-term care
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The Aging Together Podcast explores the challenges and opportunities of caring for aging loved ones. In this podcast, I interview guests who are experts in their fields or can share their experiences with caregiving. Together with the guest speakers, I dive into a wide range of topics including health and wellness, care planning, caregiving, and more. The Aging Together Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube. This podcast is a product of Aging Together LLC, a private care coaching practice for family caregivers.
This podcast is hosted by Dr. Pooja A. Patel, an occupational therapist with board certification in gerontology and additional advanced certifications in dementia, fall prevention, and geriatric care. She has had the privilege of working with older adults and their families for many years and has seen first-hand the unique challenges that aging can bring. From navigating physical changes and managing chronic conditions to addressing social isolation and planning for the future, aging can be a complex and oftentimes an overwhelming process.
Together with the guest speakers, she dives into a wide range of topics including senior health and wellness, senior care planning, caregiving, and more.
This podcast is for everyone: whether you are an older adult looking to age in place, a caregiver seeking support and guidance, or simply someone interested in learning more about the aging process. Let’s navigate aging, together.
Episodes
71 episodes
S3E10: When Parenting Doesn't End: Caring for "Difficult Adult Children" | Dr. Judith "Judy" Smith
Guest: Dr. Judith "Judy" Smith, Ph.D., LCSWJudith R. Smith, Ph.D., LCSW, is a NYC based psychotherapist, professor, and researcher on women’s issues as they age. She is a professor, Emerita, at Fordham University. She ...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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56:00
S3E09: A Lifetime of Caregiving: Supporting Patient Advocacy (Caregiver Story 5/5)
Guest: Phyllis Anderson, Retired RN, CEN; RCFE-RCAPhyllis is a retired nurse with nearly three decades of experience, including 22 years in the emergency room and time as an administrator for a memory care facility for individuals...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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58:56
S3E08: Have Empathy for Your Care Providers: A Plea to Care Consumers | Emily Clark
Guest: Emily Clark, M.A., CCC-SLP, RYT 500 Hour Yoga Instructor, Meditation Instructor, Life CoachEmily Clark is a Life Coach, RYT-500 Yoga Instructor, Meditation Instructor and founder of Abundant Wellness with Emily. Being a for...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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51:52
S3E07: Caregiving in Your 20s & Beyond: An Alzheimer's Story | Kristin Luckie (Caregiver Story 4/5)
In this episode: Our guest, Kristin Luckie, shares her lived experience and journey of caregiving for her mother with Alzheimer's disease while she was in her 20s, an age group not often associated with caregiving for an olde...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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52:39
S3E06: Self-Care for Caregivers: Lessons from a Lived Experience | Lani Almanza
Lani, a native of the Windward side of Oahu in Hawai’i, is a wife, mother, grandmother, and seasoned professional with a rich background in education, business, and nonprofit sectors. With a Master’s degree in Communication from the University ...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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52:54
S3E05: The Intersection of Work & Caregiving: Lessons Learned | Lisa Dare (Caregiver Story 3/5)
Lisa Dare, BSc. Pharm, CCC, PCC is principal and CEO of Lisa Dare and Associates. She is an executive coach, leadership practitioner, consultant and speaker with close to 20 years of experience. Her background includes practising as a cl...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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56:10
S3E04: Self-Management Strategies for A New Diagnosis | Janice Russell
Janice Russell, the Overwhelm Slayer, deals with the aftermath of a health diagnosis. Clients hire her when they want to optimize their life after a medical diagnosis (brain-based disorders, autoimmune diseases, and/or body-based conditions). W...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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54:08
S3E03: Navigating Grief throughout the Caregiving Journey | Sarah Boss (Caregiver Story 2/5)
Sarah Boss is a Healer who combines Astrology with different Holistic Healing modalities to help people successfully navigate and transform through major life transitions, activate their inner power and manifest the life of their dreams. Her pa...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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48:44
S3E02: Overcoming Family Trauma for Unexpected Caregiving | Dana Kaplan
In this episode, Dana Kaplan shares her journey through an unexpected caregiving journey and how she navigated family trauma. About the Guest:As a retired classroom educator, certified trauma specialist, and coach for neu...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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56:28
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S3E01: One Daughter's Journey through Hospice & Beyond | Courtney Moore (Caregiver Story 1/5)
In this episode, Courtney Moore shares her journey through hospice in caring for her father with pancreatic cancer.This episode is the first of ten episodes in the 2025 Caregiver Stories vertical. About the Guest: <...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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50:58
Season 3 Trailer
This trailer reflects on Season 2 and provides a sneak peek into Season 3.
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Season 3
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1:00
S2E10: Dementia Coaching vs Skilled Therapy: How to Involve the Right Professionals for Your Family
Before we move into today’s episode, I want to express my sincere gratitude as I wrap up Season 2. This podcast show has come a long way since I first started it in January of 2023. All thanks to YOU all, the audience, this podcast grew fro...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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1:01:19
S2E09: Family Caregivers Need Care Too: A Trauma-Sensitive Guide on How to Incorporate Movement Into Your Days
If you are or will be a family caregiver, this episode is for you! Did you know that over 53 million Americans provide unpaid care to a family member, often neglecting their own health and well-being? Many report high levels of stress and burno...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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1:02:02
S2E08: Personal Finance & Long-Term Care: How & When to Open the Conversation
Did you know that 70% of Americans over 65 will need some form of long-term care? Yet, only 16% of adults have discussed long-term care with their loved ones. Money talks, but when it comes to long-term care, many families stay silent. Did you ...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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59:57
S2E07: Planner or Procrastinator? A Guide for When to Start Preparing Your Home for Aging in Place
Are you a planner or a procrastinator when it comes to preparing your home for aging in place? Did you know that nearly 90% of seniors want to stay in their own homes as they age, but only a third actually plan for it? With 77% of adults 50 and...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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1:04:30
S2E06: Digital Literacy & Older Adults: Navigating Social Media & Online Care Platforms
Did you know that only 60% of seniors aged 65 and older use the internet, with many struggling to navigate the complexities of social media and online care platforms? In today's hyper-connected world, where 89% of American adults use the intern...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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50:05
S2E05: Understanding Long-Term Care Options: Assisted Living vs Skilled Nursing Facilities
In this episode, Dr. Regina Asihene & I talk about assisted and skilled nursing facilities.Dr. Asihene, MD is a highly accomplished specialist in internal medicine with a distinguished career spanning over three decades. She complet...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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52:05
S2E04: Caring for Dementia: How to Navigate Health Issues & Hospitalizations
In this episode, Rachel & I talk about navigating health challenges and hospitalizations with persons living with dementia.Rachel Wiley, MS, OTR/L, CDP is ...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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1:02:01
S2E03: Fall Recovery: A Journey from Caregiver to Entrepreneur
Steve Powell is the founder of IndeeLift, the leading manufacturer of human floor lifts that are designed to safely and comfortably lift seniors or others with mobility issues off the floor after falling.Like millions of Americans, Steve...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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45:48
S2E02: Hospitalizations & Self-Advocacy: How to Plan Ahead for an Unfortunate Emergency
This month we’re hearing from Dr. Monique Nugent, a practicing hospitalist and an associate director for the Division of Hospital Medicine at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, Massachusetts. She is also the author of
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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57:07
S2E01: Kickstart Your 2024 Health & Wellness Goals with Dr. Maria Cristina
Dr. Maria Cristina is a health and wellness coach for women 50 years and older. She is the founder and owner of Sheehan Health & Wellness. Her journey began at age 69 when she found herself aging typically, slowing down, gaining...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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47:11
EP050: We did It! Season Finale: Reflections & Gratitude for Season 1
Wow, what a year! This episode is the last episode of Season 1, 2023. In this episode, I provide a broad overview of the year/season, share my gratitude, and introduce the upcoming changes and launch of Season 2, 2024. If you liste...
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Season 1
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Episode 50
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3:46
EP049: Aging with HIV/AIDS: Insights into Health, Stigma, & Support (World AIDS Awareness Month)
December is World AIDS Awareness Month. While the face of the AIDS epidemic has evolved over the years, the challenges faced by older adults living with this condition remain significant. As advocates for health and wellness, it's imperative to...
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Season 1
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Episode 49
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16:28
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EP048: How to Navigate the Holidays with Aging Relatives: Managing Culture & Tradition
December is full of holidays in our melting pot of cultures, religions, and traditions. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, approximately 30 different holidays are celebrated across the United States. For many, these holidays are a time to bri...
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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7:25
EP047: 75 Years of Universal Human Rights: Application to Aging Communities
December is Universal Human Rights Month. Universal Human Rights Month commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948. This landmark document serves as a...
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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17:36
