Patty's Place

Lisa
  • 3.3 (3)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

A place to talk about grief, dementia and caregiving. A place to find comfort when you are going through a difficult time. A place to know you are not alone as you go through this difficult time.

  1. 18H AGO

    Saving Family Stories With Reflekta.ai co-creator Miles Spencer

    I would love to hear from you. Send me questions or comments. What if the family stories you love didn’t fade with time, but stayed close enough to talk to? We sit down with Reflecta AI founder Miles Spencer to explore how digital legacies become living, conversational presences—comforting a grandchild at bedtime, guiding a pie crust at Thanksgiving, and keeping a family’s wisdom from gathering dust in an attic box. Miles shares the personal spark behind Reflecta and why he calls it soul tech. We talk about designing for the emotional load of grief, bringing in experts from hospice, suicide support, the military, and spiritual care to build humane guardrails. You’ll hear how a 10-second voicemail can seed a father’s voice, how a same-sex sibling can stand in when no recordings exist, and why a reflection’s perfect memory makes scattered photos and letters feel whole again. For caregivers facing dementia, this approach can be a gentle bridge—meeting loved ones in the stories and timelines where they feel most at home. We get practical too: default-private reflections controlled by a family “keeper,” strict privacy and rights management, and pricing that scales from a single loved one to wider family or public sharing. Miles addresses common concerns head-on—from “digital necromancy” fears to data security—and explains how Reflecta monitors for unhealthy use, nudging users to take breaks when grief loops too tightly. The heart of the conversation is continuity: a library of experiences that doesn’t burn when someone passes, but remains accessible as a spontaneous, dynamic conversation. Ready to imagine your family’s legacy as more than a box of keepsakes? Listen now, then try a conversation with Arthur or Virginia at Reflekt.ai to feel how a story becomes a presence.  If this resonated, subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Support the show

    32 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Understanding Dementia Types And What Caregivers Need To Know

    I would love to hear from you. Send me questions or comments. We break down the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s, then walk through real signs, major types, and what caregivers can do right now. We share our family stories, the limits of diagnosis, and how to meet loved ones with calm, dignity, and practical steps. • dementia as an umbrella term and why it matters • Alzheimer’s as the most common cause of dementia • mixed dementia and overlapping symptoms • vascular dementia links to stroke and blood flow • Lewy body features including hallucinations and REM sleep issues • early red flags at home and on the road • why diagnosis is clinical and imperfect • caregiver mindset, validation, and safety planning • resources from the Alzheimer’s Association “Hopefully you find some comfort in this and knowledge because knowledge is power” Support the show

    27 min

  3. FEB 10

    Becoming An Orphan: Interview with author Ingrid Hanson-Popp

    I would love to hear from you. Send me questions or comments. What happens when the person who once guided you now needs your guidance? We invited author Ingrid Hansen Pop to talk about the hidden pressures of caregiving, why smart problem‑solvers still feel stuck, and how small mindset shifts can lower stress fast. From the myth of “I must fix everything” to the hard truth that plans fall apart under medical uncertainty, we get honest about what actually helps when a parent’s health changes. We dig into sibling dynamics without sugarcoating them. Some of us rush to lead; others freeze or avoid. Instead of chasing perfect consensus, we map clear lanes—medical, financial, logistics—so responsibilities are shared and expectations are real. Ingrid offers gentle scripts for raising tough topics with parents who won’t ask for help, using specific observations and empathy rather than judgment. We also highlight the quiet tells that support is needed: spoiled food, unread mail, trouble with steps, and favorite hobbies that no longer click. Caregiving gets lighter when you build a team. Think like migrating geese: no one flies alone. We show how to recruit neighbors, church friends, and community services for rides, check‑ins, and errands, and why every caregiver needs one friend designated for venting. For holidays and milestones, we share practical tweaks—earlier start times, shorter visits, daylight driving—that honor dignity while reducing risk. Throughout, Ingrid points to resources from her book, Becoming An Orphan, and a supportive online group that helps you problem‑solve in real time. If you’re feeling the weight of reversed roles, this conversation offers clarity, language, and next steps you can use today. Listen, take what fits, and share it with someone who needs a little less guilt and a little more team. If this helped, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it on to a friend who’s navigating care right now. Go to barnesandnoble.com to purchase Becoming An Orphan, and visit becominganorphan.com for resources and our online support group. Support the show

    32 min

  4. FEB 3

    Why Grief Has No Timeline: Interview with Grief Educator Lisa Rites

    I would love to hear from you. Send me questions or comments. We sit with grief educator Lisa Wrights to explore anticipatory grief, workplace expectations, holiday triggers and the myth of a timeline. Stories from dementia caregiving ground the advice, while journaling and groups offer real relief. • why anticipatory grief wears down caregivers • why repeating stories can comfort the person with dementia • how workplaces mishandle grief and simple fixes • myths about stages, timelines and “moving on” • practical tools including journaling and support groups • planning exits and boundaries for holidays and events • differences between a grief educator and a therapist • delayed grief and how to spot it • resources, ebooks and where to find help Purchase Lisa’s book on Amazon and Barnesandnoble.com. Visit lisaritesgrief.com for free resources, a monthly blog, a newsletter and to book a free consultation Support the show

    27 min

  5. JAN 27

    Navigating Dementia Together: Interview with Janice Goldmintz

    I would love to hear from you. Send me questions or comments. The first signs often feel small—too much food in the fridge, unopened bills, a story on repeat—and then the worry sets in. We invited gerontologist Janice Goldman to help us turn that worry into a plan you can actually use, from decoding what “dementia” really means to knowing when to call the doctor, how to prepare legal documents, and what to do when the family can’t agree on next steps. We start with clarity: dementia is the umbrella, Alzheimer’s is one type. Not every red flag points to Alzheimer’s, and we break down reversible causes like hearing loss, B12 deficiency, and medication issues. Janice shares a practical home checklist for spotting meaningful changes and explains how to work with physicians—using past baselines and integrated screenings—when a loved one refuses formal memory tests or denies there’s a problem. We dig into power of attorney essentials, including the difference between financial and medical POA and why “joint and several” structures can prevent dangerous delays during crises. Care isn’t one-size-fits-all, so we map decisions across four pillars: finances, available supports, medical thresholds, and social life. You’ll hear realistic options for aging in place, day programs, and residential care, plus how to evaluate trade-offs without losing sight of dignity and safety. Family dynamics matter just as much as budgets; we offer ways to split responsibilities by strength, protect against caregiver burnout, and bring in neutral third-party help when old roles and resentments block progress. Most of all, we get practical about communication. Learn gentle language shifts that lower conflict—meeting your loved one where they are, using positive prompts, redirecting stress, and stepping away before frustration boils over. These everyday moves can turn battles into moments of connection and help you create more calm, meaningful time together. Visit talkaboutaging.com for free resources and contact options. Follow on Instagram at Aging Parent Journey for short videos and tips. If this conversation helps, share it with someone in the thick of caregiving. Subscribe for future episodes, leave a review to support the show, and tell us: what’s your biggest caregiving challenge right now? Support the show

    32 min

  6. JAN 14

    Understanding Long-Term Care Insurance And Smarter Ways To Pay For Care: Guest Raymond Levine

    I would love to hear from you. Send me questions or comments. We unpack how long-term care insurance funds care for daily living needs, why Medicare stops short, and how early planning protects dignity and choice. Real numbers, tax perks, employer options, and alternatives help you map a plan that fits your health, age, and budget. • definition of long-term care and what it covers • why home care often delivers better attention • Medicare and health insurance limits on long-term care • the emotional and financial cost of late planning • tax-free benefits and business deductibility • when to buy and how age and health affect premiums • hybrid, short-term, and subscription-based alternatives • employer plans for younger staff and retention • steps to start, state differences, and who to contact “Call Raymond at 253-432-9491 or 253-275-6091 and visit lavineltcins.com for details” Support the show

    30 min

  7. JAN 7

    Tools For Dignity: Smarter Care At Home: Interview with Erica Sell

    I would love to hear from you. Send me questions or comments. We talk with Harmony Home Medical’s Erica Sell about practical tools that make caregiving safer and calmer, from dementia‑friendly bathing to safer transfers and mobility that preserves independence. We share ways to pay for the right gear, find reliable help, and protect caregiver health. • Why home‑like equipment improves acceptance and outcomes • Lower‑cost bathing options that avoid remodels • Warm‑mist and no‑rinse bed bathing to protect skin • High–low beds that save backs and reduce fear • Transfer aids from poles to sit‑to‑stand devices • Mobility picks: U‑Step, upright walkers, transport chairs • Lightweight folding power chairs and power‑assist add‑ons • Financing, used gear, and reimbursement strategies • How to find and vet local medical supply support • Respite resources and caregiver self‑care “Yeah it's harmonyhomedical.com and on YouTube it's the same you type in harmony home medical we’re the only one on there” Support the show

    38 min

  8. 12/31/2025

    Holding Space For Anniversary Grief

    I would love to hear from you. Send me questions or comments. Some dates don’t just mark time; they pull you back into a room you can still smell and hear. I open up about the hardest stretch of my year—the week from New Year’s Eve to January 6—when hospice set the timeline, the music got louder, and my resolve to keep my mom from being alone turned into a nightly vigil. If you’ve ever felt the sting of an anniversary date, especially after a long season of caregiving through dementia, this conversation offers language, tools, and gentle company. We explore how grief changes during the holidays, why trigger dates can feel like alarms in the body, and the practical ways to prepare: plan A and plan B, honest boundaries with friends, taking the day off work, and creating rituals that actually comfort. I share the small things that mattered—Barry Manilow on repeat, a chair by the bed, marshmallow Peeps, and the calm that arrived when my mom sensed familiar songs. We talk about building a memory corner, lighting a candle, writing a letter, cooking a favorite dish, or choosing quiet over crowds. There’s room here for all approaches, including pretending the date doesn’t exist if that’s what keeps you steady. Caregivers and grievers will also hear about the moments near the end that felt like grace: my mom seeing loved ones, the softening in her breath, and the peace that came without an exact time stamp. We challenge the myth that the “first year is the hardest,” and acknowledge how year two can ache just as much. Most of all, we hold space for your way of remembering—whether that’s tea and old photos, a playlist from the 60s and 70s, or a plan to leave early if the room gets loud. If this resonates, share it with someone who needs a companion for their tough date, subscribe for more candid stories about grief and dementia, and leave a review to help others find the show. Your rituals matter. Your boundaries count. And you don’t have to carry this alone. Support the show

    22 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3.3
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A place to talk about grief, dementia and caregiving. A place to find comfort when you are going through a difficult time. A place to know you are not alone as you go through this difficult time.

Information

  • Creator
    Lisa
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Patty's Place
  • Show Website
    Patty's Place