Caring for an older adult often means finding ways to make daily life safer, easier, and more enjoyable. This month host Karen Summey, MA, ACAPcommunity is joined by Jane Everson, PhD, and Catherine Hague, Retired English and Creative Writing Teacher. All three are active family caregivers and will offer helpful tips from the front lines of caregiving, as well as ideas for the perfect holiday (or year-round) gifts for yourself or those in your care.

Check out the Shopping Guide referenced in this episode here!

In this episode host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity is joined by Julie Packer,Director of Professional Relations, Carolina Caring. Karen and Julie take a look at Hospice and Palliative Care services, dispel some preconceived notions, get an inside look at what these programs are, how they work, and who is eligible to receive them. It’s more than you think!

More than 63 million adults in the United States are caregivers. That’s more than one in four adults in our nation! They’re our family, our neighbors, and our co-workers. Are you among them? Do you know some of them? Or do you employ them? Join host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity and guest Mark Hensley, Associate State Director, Outreach & Advocacy, AARP North Carolina to hear more about the state of caregiving in America in 2025 – who we are, what we do, and what we need.

Link to Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 - AARP Research Report

Advance care planning isn’t just a legal process – it’s a deeply human one. In this episode, we talk with an advance care planning expert about how emotions, relationships, and evolving life circumstances shape end-of-life decisions. Join host Karen Summey, MA, Project Manager, ACAPcommunity and guest Libby Dunahoo, Manager of the Advance Care Planning department for Northeast Georgia Health System as they explore what happens when someone changes their mind, how to update their plan, and how caregivers and healthcare agents can honor those wishes with clarity and compassion. This is a conversation about flexibility, trust, and putting people – not just paperwork – at the center of care.

Gardening is more than just a physical activity; it’s also deeply emotional to those who pursue it across a lifetime. It’s part of a person’s identity, grounding, and place in the world. As physical challenges ensue through the years, it’s important to know how to adapt gardening activities and tools along the way. Gardeners and their care partners can plan ahead to ensure this meaningful part of life continues despite the many challenges.

In this episode host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity is joined by John Bowen, Retired Master Gardener, NCSU Cooperative Extension Volunteer. John is a retired science teacher and an active Master Gardener in Buncombe County in western North Carolina. He and his wife and two cats moved to the Asheville area seven years ago where they put in a garden and remodeled a house, in that order. “First things first,” John says.

Click here for a companion handout for this episode!

Caregiving can push anyone past their limits. In this conversation, trauma-informed strategist Christy Shi Day shares how understanding our nervous system can help us stay calm, connected, and grounded — even in the most challenging moments. Learn simple, science-based tools for emotional regulation, clearer communication, and more resilient relationships with your aging parents, your family, and yourself.

Click here for a companion handout for this episode!

Helping Your Loved Ones Stay Strong and Healthy as They Age...In this episode of the Caregiver Community host Karen Summey, project manager for ACAPcommunity, is joined by Dr. Mitchell Straub, owner and founder of Vital Rehab and Wellness in State College, PA. Join Karen and Mitchell as they explore the intersection of well-being and physical therapy - and how care partners can spot signs that their loved ones need professional help to live their best years as they age.

For information on additional podcasts, FREE in-person programs for care partners (caregivers), and more, please visit the ACAPcommunity website here. No chapter in your area? Stay tuned! ACAP is growing nationwide. Check our website often for a chapter near you. Meanwhile, we hope you'll take advantage of our audio podcast archive, our YouTube archive, and more.

This episode of The Caregiver Community is made possible by our podcast sponsor, PACE@Home in Newton, NC, and sustaining partner EveryAge.