A Time to Care: The Caregivers Podcast

Isabel Melgarejo on The Whole Care Network
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Weekly

I’m Isabel Melgarejo, and I was raised never to talk about the uncomfortable things in life and to put myself after everyone else’s needs (just like any other woman I know). In college, after Dad’s passing, I had to change all my beliefs. I had to talk about death, about my mom’s future, and I had to ask for a LOT of favors. ​After connecting with many caregivers when I moved to Texas and remembering one of the toughest seasons in my life, I created a program to help caregivers navigate these very uncomfortable conversations and help them through their particular journeys with their loved ones. In this podcast, I want to share advice on how to prioritize your mental health, how to have those difficult conversations, and how to talk you out of feeling guilty and overwhelmed.

  1. 4d ago

    Are Their Medications Still Helping? A Caregiver’s Guide to Medication Management with Marty Eng

    When you become a caregiver, managing medications can quickly become one of the most overwhelming parts of the journey. What is each medication for? Is it still needed? Could a side effect look like a new health problem? And what happens when several doctors prescribe different medications? In this episode of A Time to Care: The Caregivers Podcast, Isabel Melgarejo talks with Marty Eng, PharmD, a memory care consultant, concierge pharmacist, and speaker who helps caregivers navigate medication management, particularly for loved ones living with memory problems. Marty shares practical guidance to help caregivers become more informed and confident advocates for their loved ones. Together, they discuss: Why keeping an accurate medication list mattersHow to connect each medication with its purposeWhy caregivers should ask, “How do we know this medication is helping?”How side effects can sometimes be mistaken for new health problemsWhat caregivers should know about medications prescribed by multiple doctorsWhy “as needed” medications deserve special attentionHow changes in diet, lifestyle, or other medications can affect treatmentWhat deprescribing means and why medications may have different “seasons”How caregivers can communicate more effectively with healthcare providersWhy tracking symptoms and asking questions can prevent unnecessary frustration One of the most important reminders from this conversation is simple: you don't have to be a medical professional to be an informed advocate. If you care for a loved one, especially someone living with dementia or memory problems, this conversation may give you practical tools to make medication management a little less overwhelming. Listen, learn, and share this episode with another caregiver who may need it. About A Time to Care: A Time to Care: The Caregivers Podcast is a space for family caregivers to find education, encouragement, practical resources, and honest conversations about the caregiving journey. Connect with Marty Eng: Website: martyingg.com/home-page Email: askdring@pm.me This podcast is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always discuss medication changes with an appropriate healthcare professional.

  2. Sep 25

    Caregiving Starts With You: How Self-Care Can Restore Your Confidence | Amanda Huckabee

    Sometimes caring for yourself starts with something as simple as taking a little time to feel good about who you are. In this episode of A Time to Care: The Caregivers Podcast, Isabel Melgarejo talks with hairstylist and mentor Amanda Huckabee about confidence, self-care, and the small ways we can begin putting ourselves back on the list. Amanda shares how her work goes far beyond hair. For her, helping someone feel good when they look in the mirror is about reminding them of their own worth. They talk about why caregivers often put themselves last, how small moments of self-care can affect our mood and patience, and why caring for yourself isn't selfish—it's part of being able to care for others well. You'll also hear practical tips for finding simple routines that fit your lifestyle, communicating what you need, and finding professionals who truly listen to you. Whether you're caring for aging parents, supporting someone with dementia, or simply feeling exhausted from taking care of everyone else, this conversation is a gentle reminder: You matter. Your needs matter. And you deserve to care for yourself, too. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about caregiver self-care, confidence, caregiver stress, and finding simple ways to make space for yourself.

  3. Sep 11

    The surprising reason a caregiver app gets over 100% response rates | Featuring Chad Hensle

    Most families are one missed call away from falling out of sync. Chad Hensle built an AI-powered check-in service that sends three warm texts a day to aging parents, then turns their replies into a simple daily recap for the family - no app required. Isabel Melgarejo talks with Chad about the real caregiving problem that sparked Juta: a family trying to stay connected while an aunt’s dementia, a busy uncle, and a tangled relay of updates made even basic communication harder than it should be. What started as a solution for his own family quickly became a practical tool for anyone caring for a loved one who needs a little extra support. You’ll discover: Why Juta uses text messages instead of a new appHow the system gently prompts loved ones without feeling intrusiveWhat the caregiver dashboard tracks, including response rates and mood scoringWhy the service is designed to be a prompt, not a replacement, for human connectionHow the product is expanding beyond elder care into recovery, assisted living, and other support situations Chad also shares the human side of building for caregivers - the emotional weight they carry, the small signs that tell families, “they’re okay,” and why the best solutions often start with a problem you can’t ignore. He opens up about the early build, the “vibe coded” MVP, and the surprising response from loved ones who actually enjoy the back-and-forth. If you’ve ever tried to keep family members informed without becoming the group chat, this episode will hit home. It’s especially relevant for caregivers, adult children, and anyone looking for a simpler way to stay present without adding more friction to already stressful days. Perfect for anyone navigating caregiving, family communication, or AI tools that make real life easier instead of more complicated. Chad Hensle is the founder of Juta, an AI-powered daily check-in service for aging parents and other loved ones. He created the product from a deeply personal family need and is now focused on building a tool that supports both caregivers and the people they care for. Contact information: https://www.facebook.com/chensle https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-hensle/

  4. Aug 28

    What Every Family Caregiver Should Know Before a Hospital Stay with Dr. Monique Nugent

    Hospital stays can feel overwhelming, but preparation can make all the difference. In this episode, Isabel speaks with Dr. Monique Nugent about how caregivers can confidently navigate the hospital experience, communicate effectively with healthcare teams, prepare for discharge, and build realistic care plans that support both the patient and themselves. A practical and compassionate conversation for anyone caring for an aging parent, spouse, or loved one with complex medical needs.

  5. Aug 14

    Why Medicare Isn't the Whole Picture | Natalie Contorno on Planning for the Future

    When families begin planning for the future, they often receive information one piece at a time. Medicare from one source. Social Security from another. Financial planning somewhere else. In this episode, Isabel Melgarejo talks with Natalie Contorno about bringing those pieces together to help families see the bigger picture. Together they explore what Medicare covers, why long-term care planning is essential, how Social Security fits into the conversation, and why building relationships with trusted professionals can bring clarity and peace of mind. If you're preparing for retirement, supporting aging parents, or simply want to make thoughtful decisions before a crisis happens, this episode will help you take the next step with greater confidence.

  6. Jul 31

    Finding Hope Through Life's Hardest Seasons | Rebecca (Becky) Galli on Resilience & Caregiving

    What if the hardest moments of your life could become the very experiences that help you care for others with greater compassion? In this episode, Isabel Melgarejo sits down with author Rebecca (Becky) Galli to discuss caregiving, grief, resilience, journaling, and the daily practices that help us keep moving forward—even when life doesn't go as planned. Together they share practical tools for processing emotions, finding peace during uncertainty, building a healthy support system, and discovering hope one day at a time. Whether you're caring for an aging parent, a spouse, a child with special needs, or simply navigating life's unexpected challenges, this conversation will remind you that every experience can become part of your healing journey.

  7. Jul 17

    Your Body Is Speaking—Are You Listening? | Finding Healing Beyond the Symptoms with Gail Blair

    What if your symptoms are trying to tell you something? In this episode, Isabel Melgarejo talks with Gail Blair about the powerful connection between mind, body, and spirit. Gail shares how learning to listen to your body's signals, caring for yourself as a caregiver, and embracing purpose, movement, and community can lead to greater health, healing, and hope.

  8. Jul 3

    The One Tool Every Family Caregiver Should Try: Personalized Music with Dan Cohen

    Can music reconnect someone with memories that seem lost? In this episode, Isabel Melgarejo talks with Dan Cohen, founder of the Music & Memory movement, about how personalized music can reduce anxiety, spark meaningful memories, ease caregiving challenges, and bring moments of joy to people living with dementia. Discover simple, practical ways to use music as a powerful tool for connection, comfort, and hope—for both caregivers and their loved ones.

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About

I’m Isabel Melgarejo, and I was raised never to talk about the uncomfortable things in life and to put myself after everyone else’s needs (just like any other woman I know). In college, after Dad’s passing, I had to change all my beliefs. I had to talk about death, about my mom’s future, and I had to ask for a LOT of favors. ​After connecting with many caregivers when I moved to Texas and remembering one of the toughest seasons in my life, I created a program to help caregivers navigate these very uncomfortable conversations and help them through their particular journeys with their loved ones. In this podcast, I want to share advice on how to prioritize your mental health, how to have those difficult conversations, and how to talk you out of feeling guilty and overwhelmed.

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