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Summary

In this conversation, Amy Martin Quinn shares her experiences as a communications executive turned patient advocate, navigating the complexities of the sandwich generation. She discusses her personal health challenges, the impact of caregiving for her parents while raising her daughters, and the importance of community support. Amy emphasizes the concept of radical acceptance, the necessity of setting boundaries, and the cultural dynamics that influence caregiving roles. Through her journey, she highlights the significance of allowing others to help and the emotional toll of caregiving, especially during times of grief.

Takeaways

• Amy's journey into patient advocacy was inspired by personal experiences with family health issues.
• The sandwich generation faces unique challenges, balancing care for aging parents and children.
• Radical acceptance has been a crucial skill for navigating life's challenges.
• Community support plays a vital role in caregiving and emotional well-being.
• Grief can complicate the caregiving experience, making it essential to process emotions.
• Setting boundaries is necessary to prevent burnout in caregiving roles.
• Cultural dynamics influence how siblings participate in caregiving.
• Becoming a patient advocate was a natural progression for Amy after her experiences.
• The smallest gestures of support can significantly impact caregivers.
• It's important to acknowledge the difficulties of caregiving without feeling guilty.

About the Guest

Amy Martin Quinn is a seasoned communications executive and Board Certified Patient Advocate who brings empathy, strategy, and clarity to both corporate and healthcare environments. With more than 25 years of experience in communications, Amy has built a career around helping people understand complex systems and make informed decisions.

Her pivot into patient advocacy was inspired by personal experience: navigating breast cancer, supporting her daughter’s mental health journey, guiding her father through Parkinson’s disease, and helping her mother manage heart disease. These experiences deepened her passion for helping others through the emotional and logistical challenges of the healthcare system.

Amy now uses her communication expertise to empower patients and families—translating medical jargon, streamlining insurance and billing issues, and ensuring people feel confident and heard in their healthcare decisions. Her work centers on making care more accessible, less overwhelming, and deeply human.

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Summary

In this episode of the Aging Together podcast, Dr. Pooja A. Patel speaks with Reverend Lorna J. Hines, a licensed clinical social worker and caregiver, about her extensive experience in caregiving and the emotional toll it takes. They discuss the systemic barriers caregivers face, the importance of seeking help, and the impact of trauma on both caregivers and their loved ones. Reverend Hines shares her personal journey, including the challenges of caring for her parents and the lessons learned along the way. The conversation emphasizes the need for proactive health management and planning for caregiving needs.

Takeaways

• Caregiving can lead to feelings of isolation and powerlessness.
• The emotional toll of caregiving is profound.
• Systemic barriers hinder caregivers' ability to seek help.
• Compartmentalization is a common coping mechanism for caregivers.
• Intersectionality plays a role in the caregiving experience.
• Writing can be a therapeutic outlet for caregivers.
• Planning for caregiving needs is essential.
• Caregivers should take ownership of their health.
• Don't suffer in silence; seek out resources and support.

About the Guest

Lorna J Hines is a renowned Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Medium, Intuitive Counselor, and Behavioral Health Expert. She is also an ordained Minister and Author of Straight Talk From A Wise Woman: Tears, Trauma, and A Healing Path. She was the caregiver for her parents and in-laws.

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Summary

Deborah Pocalas shares her harrowing experience of elder exploitation involving her father, revealing the complexities of family dynamics, betrayal, and the emotional toll of caregiving. She discusses the discovery of theft by a sibling, the impact of medical misdiagnosis, and the challenges of navigating guardianship. Throughout the conversation, Deborah emphasizes the importance of documentation, recognizing red flags, and finding support during difficult times. Her story serves as a cautionary tale for caregivers and families dealing with similar situations.
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Takeaways

• Elder exploitation can occur within families, often unnoticed.
• Documentation is crucial in cases of elder abuse.
• Isolation tactics can be used to control elderly individuals.
• Medical misdiagnosis can severely impact care options.
• Guardianship processes can be negotiated for better outcomes.
• Recognizing red flags early can help prevent exploitation.
• Emotional support systems are vital for caregivers.
• Family dynamics can complicate caregiving situations.
• Spending quality time with loved ones is invaluable.
• Resentment can hinder personal healing and growth.

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About the Guest

Debora Pokallus is a loving daughter with no medical background who was thrust into an unimaginable situation and tried her best to help her father survive and thrive. She is on a mission to share her story of elder exploitation to help other families navigate various dynamics.

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Summary

In this episode of the Aging Together podcast, Dr. Joy Poskozim discusses the critical importance of oral health for older adults, particularly those in nursing homes and receiving home care. She highlights the connection between oral health and overall health, emphasizing how poor dental care can lead to serious health issues. Dr. Poskozim shares her experiences advocating for better oral care practices and the challenges faced by caregivers in ensuring proper dental hygiene. She also provides practical tips for caregivers and discusses the need for systemic changes in dental care education and advocacy.

Takeaways

• Oral health is crucial for overall health, especially in older adults.
• Many caregivers lack training in oral care for patients.
• Education on dental care should be mandatory for healthcare providers.
• Oral neglect can lead to serious health issues like pneumonia.
• Advocacy is essential for improving oral health care in nursing homes.
• Cultural considerations are important in meal planning for older adults.
• Caregivers should focus on the wins in oral care, not perfection.
• Home health care agencies need to be aware of dental needs.
• Communication between caregivers and dental professionals is vital.
• Regular dental check-ups can prevent complications in older adults.

About the Guest

Dr. Joy Poskozim is the dental director for several nursing care facilities, educating staff as well as providing care to nursing home residents. She also makes house calls in and around the Chicagoland area. Dr. Poskozim has been in private practice for 26 years, practicing integrative health general dentistry at her office on the northwest side of Chicago, and has been performing dental procedures on the home-bound for over 16 years. In 2017, she earned her Dentistry in Long-Term Care Certificate from the University of the Pacific Dental School, her Fellowship with the Special Care Dental Association Geriatric Council in 2018, and is certified as a Dementia Practitioner as of 2021. In 2025, Dr. Joy became an adjunct professor at UIC dental school. Dr. Joy is a 1990 graduate of Marquette University and a 1994 graduate of New York University College of Dentistry. She completed a GPR from Woodhull Medical Center in 2000, where she was awarded Resident of the Year.

• https://joyposkozimdds.com/
• joyfuldentalcare.com
• https://www.linkedin

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Summary

Rick Henkin shares his personal journey as a caregiver for his wife Sonia, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He discusses the challenges of obtaining a diagnosis, the emotional toll on caregivers, and the importance of acceptance and mindfulness. Rick created the Caregiver Mastery System to help others navigate the complexities of caregiving while maintaining their own mental health. He emphasizes the need for caregivers to prioritize their well-being and offers practical advice for managing stress and guilt.

Takeaways

• Rick's journey into caregiving began with Sonia's diagnosis of Alzheimer's.
• The diagnosis process can take months and is often frustrating.
• Caregiver burden can lead to significant health risks for caregivers.
• Mindfulness and acceptance are crucial for managing caregiver stress.
• Rick created the Caregiver Mastery System to support other caregivers.
• The course is designed to be short and practical for busy caregivers.
• Humor can be a valuable tool in caregiving.
• Caregivers must prioritize their own well-being to provide better care.
• It's important to recognize that feelings of guilt stem from love.
• Every caregiver's journey is unique, and support is essential.

About the Guest

Rick Henkin is a husband, father, grandfather to 6 girls, and a caregiver for his wife. He became a caregiver when his wife, Sonia, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in Jan. 2020 at the age of 65. Based on his experiences, Rick is the creator of the Caregiver Mastery System.

• CaregiverMasterySystem.com or https://forfamilycaregivers.com/
• facebook.com/groups/forfamilycaregivers
• https://www.youtube.com/@ForFamilyCaregivers
• https://www.instagram.com/forfamilycaregivers/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/forfamilycaregivers/
• email: rick@forfamilycaregivers.com

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Summary

In this episode of the Aging Together podcast, Dr. Pooja A. Patel and Dr. Mary Alice Mina discuss the importance of skin health as we age. They explore the concept of pro-aging versus anti-aging, emphasizing the need for prevention and protection for younger skin, as well as the management of chronic skin conditions in older adults. Dr. Mina shares her journey into dermatology, the significance of a holistic approach to skin health, and the role of dermatologists in guiding patients. The conversation also touches on the misconceptions surrounding Botox, wound care in the elderly, and the challenges of insurance coverage for dermatological treatments. Ultimately, the episode encourages listeners to embrace aging and prioritize their overall health for better skin longevity.

Takeaways

• Skin health is an integral part of overall health.
• Pro-aging focuses on longevity and vitality, not anti-aging.
• Prevention is key in managing skin health.
• Education about sun protection is crucial.
• A simple skincare routine can be effective.
• Chronic skin conditions require expert management.
• Botox can be a safe and natural option for many.
• Older adults face unique skin challenges that require special care.
• Wound healing is significantly impacted by overall health and nutrition.
• Insurance coverage for dermatological treatments can be inconsistent.

About the Guest

Dr. Mary Alice Mina is a Harvard-trained dermatologist, international speaker, author, and host of The Skin Real, a podcast ranked in the top 2.5% globally. As a co-owner of Baucom & Mina Derm Surgery in Atlanta, Georgia, she is a leading expert in procedural dermatology, skin health, and skincare. With nearly two decades of clinical experience, Dr. Mina is celebrated for her artistic eye, surgical precision, and ability to help patients feel radiant at every stage of life.

A sought-after speaker, Dr. Mina's insights have been featured in major media outlets, including People Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Glamour, and Huffington Post. Passionate about empowering others, she combines her expertise with practical advice to inspire audiences to embrace their unique beauty and live confidently in their skin.

• @drminaskin; theskinreal.com/habits

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Summary

In this episode of the Aging Together podcast, host Dr. Patel speaks with elder law attorney H. Frances Reeves about her journey as a caregiver for her parents, the challenges of navigating the medical industrial complex, and her new book, 'Boomers Booming: How to Thrive After 65 and Have Good Sex.' Frances shares her insights on aging, the importance of proactive planning, and her ten commandments for thriving in later life. The conversation emphasizes the need to challenge stereotypes about aging and the significance of mindset in preparing for the future.

Takeaways

• Frances Reeves shares her caregiving journey for her parents.
• The medical industrial complex complicates elder care decisions.
• Writing a book requires discipline and commitment.
• Living life your way is essential after 65.
• Staying relevant is crucial for older adults.
• Death is inevitable; planning is essential.
• Sickness is often temporary, and laughter is important.
• Proactive planning can ease the burden on loved ones.
• Celebrating life should happen while you're alive.
• Forgiveness is a key aspect of aging gracefully.

About the Guest

Frances is the author of Boomers Booming: How to Thrive After Sixty-Five and Have Good Sex, inspired by caring for her parents, Hal and Charlotte, in their final years. Witnessing the “senior industrial complex” overlook them, she became an advocate for elders, while celebrating their zest for life, like skydiving on her mother’s 80th birthday.

Born in Belem, Brazil, Frances grew up across Libya, the Philippines, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and Singapore before earning her degree from Texas Christian University. Her career began as Director of International Marketing for the Louisiana World Exposition, followed by a law degree from the University of Miami. Fluent in Spanish and conversant in Portuguese, she has interviewed world leaders including Margaret Thatcher, Madeleine Albright, and Gloria Steinem, and is in the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame.

Today, Frances is Managing Attorney of her Elder Law Firm, specializing in estate planning, Medicaid planning, and advocacy against elder exploitation. She writes bi-monthly columns for Miami Community News and The Islander News, hosts a monthly elder-focused video blog, and has interviewed notable figures from Emmy-winning journalists to world champions. Her work continues to empower older adults and their families with knowledge, dignity, and voice.

• www.parentyourparents.com
• LinkedIn: H Frances Reaves, Esq. | Parent Your Parents
• Facebook: H Frances Reaves | Parent Your Parents USA

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Summary

In this episode of the Aging Together podcast, Dr. Pooja A. Patel interviews Allison Penna, a grief resilience coach, who shares her personal journey of caregiving and navigating grief after the loss of her husband. Allison discusses the challenges of caregiving, the importance of setting boundaries, and the need for self-care. She emphasizes the significance of building new networks and reconnecting with oneself after loss. The conversation highlights the often misunderstood nature of grief and the essential role of love and support in the caregiving process.

Takeaways

• Grief resilience is a life skill everyone can develop.
• Caregiving often leads to a loss of identity for caregivers.
• Setting boundaries is crucial for caregivers' mental health.
• Grief is often misunderstood, leading to isolation.
• Reconnecting with oneself is essential after loss.
• Building new networks is important after losing a loved one.
• Caregivers need to prioritize self-care and love themselves.
• Focus on quality time over completing tasks in caregiving.
• Grief can change relationships, requiring new boundaries.
• It's important to surround oneself with supportive people.

About the Guest

Alison Pena aka Bad Widow is a NYC-based grief resilience coach, speaker and bestselling author of The Bad Widow Guide to Life After Loss: Moving Through Grief to Live and Love Again. She became a primary caregiver during her husband's battle with cancer and a widow, when David died in 2016. He left her his mother, Joyce, to care for, since he was an only child. Alison has been her primary caregiver for the last 9 years, keeping her safe and loved at home until just before her 102nd birthday. Each phase of Joyce's increasing health issues brought new challenges they faced together.

Everyone grieves someone or something. That makes grief resilience a life skill. Alison developed Life After Grief Blueprint coaching for her bereaved clients with time-tested ways from her own experience to reconnect with themselves, re-engage in the world, reinvent their identities, rebuild their networks and reset their paths forward.

• https://BadWidow.com
• www.linkedin.com/in/alisonpena
• https://www.facebook.com/alison.pena

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The Aging Together Caregiver Hub is a FREE community for family caregivers of older adults. Join us today to find a peer network and access our learning studio with simple, bite-sized content, resources, and a support group.

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