Patty's Place

Lisa
  • 3.0 (2)
  • 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. 3D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 12/18/2025

    Comfort On Four Paws: How Funeral Therapy Dogs Ease Loss

    I would love to hear from you. Send me questions or comments. https://www.rememberingalife.com/ https://www.fordfh.com/ https://nfda.org/ The room changes the moment a calm dog trots in. We sat down with Dan Ford—second-generation funeral director and incoming president of the National Funeral Directors Association—to unpack how trained therapy dogs help families breathe easier, speak freely, and find a little relief on the hardest days. Meet Joey, the lap-loving “little gentleman,” and Annie, a gentle golden doodle who leans into a mourner’s leg to say, I’m here. Their presence isn’t a novelty; it’s practical neuroscience in action, turning overwhelming services into spaces where people can actually feel and talk. Dan walks us through the craft behind the comfort: temperament over breed, clear consent with families, structured breaks, and national certification with recertification every two years. He shares moments that stick—a granddaughter holding Joey through an entire visitation, community members asking about the dogs at the grocery store—and why boundaries matter when allergies or discomfort arise. We also zoom out to the core ethic of death care: empathy. Dan learned from his father that if empathy fades, it’s time to change careers. That principle shapes how his team supports families and how he protects his own resilience with honest communication at home. Then we get tactical. The first 24 to 48 hours after a death can bring over a hundred decisions. Preplanning turns guesswork into guidance. We cover how to start conversations, what to document, and where to learn more. Dan points to RememberingALife.com, an NFDA-backed resource with consumer-friendly tools for funeral planning, therapy dog insights, and finding a trusted funeral home. The takeaway is simple and powerful: compassionate support can be trained, and clarity can be chosen. Put them together and the path through grief gets a little steadier. If this conversation helped, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it today, and leave a review to help more caregivers and grieving families find us. Support the show

    28 min

  7. 12/10/2025

    Spotting The 10 Warning Signs Of Dementia During Family Gatherings

    I would love to hear from you. Send me questions or comments. We explore how to tell normal aging from early signs of dementia during holiday gatherings, using practical examples and clear comparisons. We share stories from our families, outline next steps for testing, and point you to resources that make hard talks easier. • memory loss that disrupts daily life vs recalling later • planning and problem solving decline beyond simple errors • getting lost on familiar routes and inside stores • confusion about dates, seasons, and future plans • vision and spatial changes that affect driving and balance • language gaps, menu anxiety, and repeated stories • misplacing items and inability to retrace steps • poor judgment with money and self-care • social withdrawal and loss of hobbies • mood and personality changes tied to overwhelm • how to rule out UTIs, depression, and diabetes • why early evaluation and resources matter • using Alzheimer’s Association tools and checklists • starting compassionate, concrete conversations at home You can always reach me at my email, which is L-I-S-M-A-R-93 at yahoo.com Support the show

    18 min

  8. 12/01/2025

    Finding Peace When Caregiving And Grieving Collide

    I would love to hear from you. Send me questions or comments. Support the show

    17 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3
out of 5
2 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
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Patty's Place
  • Show Website
    Patty's Place