Episodes

Hospice Round #3: What's different this time? Before we jump into this episode of Eldercare Succes s, I'd like to share that I've been going through a bit of a rough patch . For every faithful follower and listener to this show, I'd like to give you my sincere thanks. Just knowing you're out there listening, doing well—or trying to—gives me the strength to continue moving forward, too. Just because someone is known as an "expert" caregiver and care advisor doesn't mean that every day is sunny fo...

What's it like to make a hospice decision? The path ahead, Part #1 of a very personal and shared experience. In this gripping episode of Eldercare Success , your host, Nancy May, bares her soul, recounting her raw and personal journey through her first experience with hospice care for her father. From the agonizing decision-making process to the final moments of her dad's life, Nancy takes listeners on a rollercoaster of emotions, challenging preconceptions about end-of-life care. With unexpecte...

What happens when you sign a parent into or up for Hospice care services? In this deeply moving and informative episode of the Eldercare Success podcast , we dive into the challenging world of hospice care. This is the first part of a two-part series designed to provide comfort and clarity during one of life's most difficult times. Your host, Nancy May shares valuable insights into the hospice industry, highlighting both its compassionate mission and the complexities of its for-profit and non-pr...

Caregiving Blues: Beating Them Before They Beat You and Your Parents, too! In this episode of Eldercare Success , Nancy Ma y delves into a topic that resonates deeply with nearly every caregiver at some point in time - battling depression while caring for aging parents. Renowned for her insightful guidance and compassionate approach, Nancy tackles the emotional toll of caregiving with practical, uplifting advice. Why Listen? For anyone feeling the weight of caregiving, this episode is a must-lis...

🏡 "Navigating Senior Living: Insider Tips and Tricks" 🌟 In this episode of Eldercare Succes s , host Nancy May and her guest Lynn Smargis discuss the ins and outs of finding a care facility for our delve into the intricacies of finding the right senior living arrangements for your aging parents. This episode is a must-listen for anyone grappling with the emotional and logistical challenges of eldercare. Episode Description Are you facing the daunting task of finding the right care facility home ...

Why it's Important to Help Mom and Dad Maintaining Appearance, Even if They have Dementia! In this next episode of Eldercare Sucess , Nancy May addresses an issue few mention: why looking good is important, even if your parent or loved one has dementia. 💇‍♀️Ever wonder why it's crucial to keep our parents with dementia looking and feeling their best, even on their toughest days? This episode dives into the profound impact of appearance and self-esteem on their overall well-being. Tune in to lear...

How can you help keep mom and dad safe when they can't feel their fingers or toes? Does your aging parent struggle with tingling, numbness, or pain in their hands and feet? This episode of Eldercare Success dives deep into the world of neuropathy, a common condition among seniors that can significantly impact their independence and quality of life. Host Nancy May shares her personal experience caring for her father with neuropathy, offering compassionate insights and practical advice for navigat...

Tracking Lost Hearing Aids: Tips and Solutions Welcome to another episode of " Doing it Best with Eldercare Success," titled "Can You Hear Me Now?" In this episode, your host and family senior care expert, Nancy May, dives into the all-too-common issue of lost hearing aids and gives you practical solutions to keep those costly devices safe. From simple low-cost solutions that might remind you of your own camp days to more costly high-tech options and Bluetooth trackers, Nancy shares valuable tip...

Can you become Co-Dependent on the Caregiving Role? What's that about? In this episode of ' Doing It Best with Eldercare Success ,' host Nancy May addresses the profound challenges and emotional journey faced by those caring for multiple elderly family members and what happens when our “job” in caring for them is over. Have you identified so much with being a caregiver that you become stuck in knowing who you really are? How do you move forward? How do you get the right support from friends ...

Best Places to Find Creative, Low-cost Solutions for Caregiving Challenges. Welcome to another episode of "Doing it Best with Eldercare Success ." I'm your host, Nancy, and today we're talking about creative shopping solutions to make caregiving easier and more enjoyable, even fun! Today, we'll explore how to think outside the box and find innovative tools in unexpected places, whether you're at a hardware store, a grocery store, or even your favorite ice cream shop. This episode is packed with...

10 Heartfelt Last-Minute, Money-Saving, Father's Day Gift Ideas for Your Elderly Dad! 🎁👴 Are you struggling to find the perfect Father's Day gift for your elderly dad, who says he has everything? Whether you’re dealing with the challenge of finding something special or just looking for a new way to show your love, we’ve got you covered. In this special episode of Eldercare Success , Nancy May shares her top 10 creative and thoughtful gift ideas that will bring a smile to your dad's face and crea...

How do you get paid to care for Mom & Dad? In this episode of Eeldercare Success , your host, Nancy , explores an essential and practical topic for many families: getting paid to care for your elderly parent at home. Here, Nancy breaks down the basics, discussing the basic difference between Medicare and Medicaid qualifications and how these programs can impact your ability to receive financial support as a caregiver. Discover how states like California, New York, Texas, and Massachusetts offer ...

Packrat Dad to the Rescue! The best gift your parents can give you is a list of where things go. What happens when your parents keep piling up the papers and never toss things away? In this episode of Eldercare Success, your host, Nancy May discussed how a parent’s packrat habits can work to your advantage in taking over caregiving responsibilities. Nancy also dives into the challenges of packing and moving, especially when dealing with multiple households and inheriting items from parents. It ...

Riding the Road of Eldercare: Balancing Independence and Support Ever feel like you're walking on eggshells trying to help your aging parents? Your Eldercare Success host, Nancy May, gets it. In this episode of Eldercare Success, s he ditches the usual dry advice. She takes you on a surprising ride, comparing navigating eldercare to her own early experiences of riding a motorcycle. As tough as it may be, respecting her parents' need for independence while ensuring their safety is a delicate danc...

17 New Ideas for Creative and Meaningful Activities with Aging Parents and Elderly Loved Ones. Are you tired of the same old routine activities when caring for your aging parents or as a professional caregiver? Do you struggle to develop new, fun, and meaningful ways to connect with your elderly loved ones? Look no further! In this podcast episode of Doing it Best With Eldercare Success , Nancy May shares 17 creative and inexpensive activities that will help combat boredom and foster deeper conn...

Navigating the Maze of Senior Care: 6 Red Flags You MUST Know Is your parent or loved one considering a move to a care facility? Are they already residing in one? Your Eldercare Success host, Nancy May , gives you an eye-opening podcast episode with guest Justine Bykowski, a gerontology expert who has spent much of her career working with the University of Michigan Health System. This episode sheds light on the often-overlooked issues that can severely impact the well-being of care facility resi...

Navigating Dignity and Incontinence: A Daughter's Journey This episode of Eldercare Success dives deep into this daughter's personal, and sometimes humorous journey as she navigates the challenges of assisting her father with accepting that he needs to use incontinence underwear. Nancy May , your host, openly shares her, and her Dad’s personal experiences, including both missteps and successful strategies, revealing the complexities of caregiving with empathy and authenticity. From employing unc...

This episode of Eldercare Success is guaranteed to give you some useful tools to make it easier to help your loved ones be accepted and function well in your community and public social settings. Listen in as Nancy May shares the ways that Jim Magnis helped transform his community while caring for his wife with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease. Love for his wife ignited the creation of "Dementia-Friendly Saline," an initiative that’s now making waves beyond Saline, Michigan. Discover how small a...

Balancing Acts: Ways to Still thriving in your career while caring for aging parents. It is possible to do without driving yourself to the edge! In this empowering episode of Eldercare Success , we delve into the deeply personal and challenging journey of balancing a fulfilling career, or business, with the demands of caring for aging parents. Many of us face the tough choice between professional aspirations and family obligations, a choice that can leave you feeling torn and overwhelmed. This e...

Words as Bridges In this episode of Eldercare Success ," host Nancy May talks with sits Dallin Candland , in a conversation that veers into the less explored corridors of caregiving, and the healing power of poetry. Dallin shares his personal journey through hardship and how he turned to poetry as a means to understand and express his emotions, providing solace not just for himself but for others grappling with their own challenges. This episode shines a light on the unique perspective of the ne...

How Tragedy Strikes: The Heartbreaking Truth About Medical Decisions in Eldercare In this episode of Eldercare Sccess, Host, Nancy May bravely shares her family's harrowing experience with the eldercare system, a cautionary tale that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about protecting your loved ones. With raw honesty and gut-wrenching detail, Nancy exposes the devastating consequences of unchecked medical decisions made without her family's knowledge or consent. Her trag...

Oh no, Mom's fallen and I can't get to her! Now what? In the latest episode of the Eldercare Success podcast, Nancy May dives into the issues that every caregiver worries about - their parent's falling and getting seriously hurt. Her conversation with Dr. Shea Gregg, a trauma surgeon, and the innovative mind behind FallCall will give you key information on trauma, falls, and a new way to help prevent and get help. Dr. Gregg's dual expertise as a medical professional and caregiver brings a unique...

NEVER hire only one home-care Aide: and why! In this episode of the Eldercare Success podcast, Nancy May tackles the key issues when you’re considering hiring an aide for aging parents. This includes whether to hire one or several aides and if it’s a good idea to have a full-time aide living in your parent’s home so you have greater peace of mind – or will you? There are a lot of unintentional mistakes family caregivers can make that can have disastrous results for you, your family, your parents...

How Humor and Snark Can Save You as a Caregiver. Seriously! Welcome to Doing It Best with Elder Care Success , where we uncover how to be a more effective and resilient caregiver. In this episode, your host, Nancy May talks with with Kathryn Lang, a caregiver who found strength in learning how to use humor in tough times. you'll learn how laughter - even on the darkest days - can be used as a vital tool in your caregiving journey, even amidst personal and natural challenges. The two share the ...