If It's Not One Thing, It's Joanna

Karin and Andrew Edelson
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Health & Fitness

Siblings Karin and Andrew Edelson are caring for their mother, Joanna, who has Alzheimer's. One year ago, they did the unthinkable - moving Joanna from assisted living back into the home she’s lived in for over 50 years. With the help of amazing caregivers, volunteer visitors, and Andrew, who has also moved back home, they are creating a lovely existence for their mom. Joanna finds joy in playing the piano and singing, belting out catchy riffs on classic tunes. Join them on their journey as they share stories about their experience and seek advice from experts on how to care for a loved one who is struggling with this devastating disease. In this podcast, they explain how they find humor and humanity while creating a community of caregiving listeners. You can email us at ifitsnotone@gmail.com.

  1. Jun 19

    Episode 22: Jim Mangi's Dementia-Friendly Cities of Hope

    In this moving episode, we sit down with environmental scientist turned dementia care advocate Jim Mangi, who opens up about his unexpected journey caring for his wife, Kathleen, following her early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Driven by his experience over their 17-year journey, Jim founded Dementia Friendly Services, a grassroots, independent, nonprofit aimed at helping individuals with dementia live in their communities with less difficulty and more dignity. Jim shares the profound impact of his "Memory Cafes"- vibrant, judgment-free social events featuring live music, drum circles, and interactive games. He also details his successful efforts certifying Saline and other Michigan municipalities as "Dementia-Friendly Communities" through education and first-responder training. Ultimately, Jim offers powerful advice for families navigating memory loss, reminding listeners that dementia is a disease of broken equipment, not a disgrace. https://www.dementiafriendlyservices.org/ Chapters (00:00:03) - I Bought a Power Washer for My Birthday(00:05:07) - Jim in the Dog Park(00:05:35) - The Alzheimer's Connection(00:06:51) - Jim Mangee on the Alzheimer's Care(00:09:00) - Dementia Friendly Services(00:13:34) - Celine and the Ann Arbor Connection(00:14:40) - A Little About Kathleen Before Her Disease(00:18:49) - Kathleen's Dementia Survivor Swim(00:20:09) - Kathleen's photography and tennis(00:22:22) - Kathleen Kicked Me Out of the Home(00:28:18) - Jim Banji Makes Me Cry(00:28:39) - Saline City Gets Dementia City Designation(00:36:46) - Memory Cafes for People Living with dementia(00:42:03) - Memory Cafe for People With Dementia(00:45:53) - Dementia Caregiver(00:49:18) - Jim's Journey Through Alzheimer's(00:50:56) - Rachel McAdams's New Movie(00:52:19) - Jim Manji on His Alzheimer's Treatment

    58 min

  2. Jun 11

    Episode 21: How AgeWays Surfs the Senior Tsunami with Julie Lowenthal

    We dive back into the vital world of caregiving resources, emphasizing that finding support is an ongoing journey rather than a one-time task. Karin shares a serendipitous encounter at a dog park that introduced them to Julie Lowenthal from AgeWays (formerly the Area Agency on Aging) - an organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families navigating aging and dementia. We discuss the overwhelming nature of tracking down these services, which, when found, become game changers for families. Julie not only reviews the broad support that AgeWays offers but also outlines the deeper realities of resource availability. She notes how many programs rely on government funding and community support, making awareness crucial as the "senior tsunami" approaches. Being proactive today, before crises occur is the best way to ensure peace of mind for tomorrow. And CONTEST ALERT: We're on a mission to come up with a term for family members who become caregivers. Give us your submissions, and we shall announce a winner in an upcoming episode! Send your submissions to ifitsnotone@gmail.com. https://www.ageways.org/ https://www.ageways.org/caregiver-services/trualta-family-caregiver-online-learning/ Chapters (00:00:03) - Welcome Back, Joanna(00:01:11) - A caregiver's guide to resources for dementia(00:03:40) - A message from Julie Halpert(00:06:15) - A Therapy Dog's First Visit to a Nursing Home(00:07:39) - The Area Agency on Aging(00:11:16) - How Do You Coordinate Services for Older Adults?(00:13:45) - How to Care for a Caregiver with Alzheimer's?(00:17:50) - Older Americans Act Funding- Update(00:20:58) - Repayment of Caregiver Vacation(00:24:52) - How to retrofit a home for someone with disabilities?(00:27:15) - Should I keep my parent in the home?(00:28:50) - Seniors and Long Term Care: My Choice and Medicare(00:30:27) - The Medicare Care Navigation Initiative(00:32:42) - Caregiving in the Final Months(00:36:30) - Andrew and Julie on Becoming Caregivers(00:37:52) - A Different Term for Caregiver(00:40:14) - Getting to Know Your Caregiver(00:45:29) - It's Never Too Early to Plan for Your Old Age(00:46:53) - Thank You For Listening To Our Podcast

    48 min

  3. May 19

    Episode 20: Karen Therapy With Karen Faith Gordon

    In this much needed episode on mental health, the siblings sit down with Karen Faith Gordon, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in aging and elder care. After properly exorcising society's memetic tic of the "entitled Karen," the new soul sisters and Andrew dive into how to address the mental and emotional challenges around senior care. From seniors living with dementia to their families and caregivers walking alongside them, the emotional toll is undeniable - but there is help out there! Exploring everything from the delicate tradeoffs of living well vs living long to the value of sense-checking agonizing decisions with a community perspective, KFG helps us find moments of peace in the chaos. https://karenfaith.llc/ Chapters (00:00:04) - The Pod Announcement(00:01:48) - Saturdays at Barkside: Sing Along(00:02:44) - President Trump celebrates mothers on Mother's Day(00:03:19) - A Mother's Day Celebration for a Disabled Person(00:06:36) - Mental Health for Seniors with dementia(00:10:52) - Karen on The Karens(00:15:15) - An introduction by Karen Faith Gordon(00:18:14) - Your work primarily focuses on dementia patients and their families(00:21:22) - How to help a parent with dementia?(00:27:24) - Caregiver Voices on Dementia(00:34:01) - How to Cope with a Parent with dementia(00:38:50) - Dementia Care: The Uncertainty(00:44:00) - The Care Plan for a Mentally Ill Person(00:50:10) - A Caregiving Talk With a 75 Year-Old Woman(00:54:45) - Your Takeaways From This Conversation(00:59:59) - A message for the community(01:01:47) - Keep It Coming, Sarah Crane

    1h 3m

  4. Apr 28

    Episode 19: The Case For Lying To Your Mother With Dr. Catherine Madison

    In this episode, we embrace the gray areas of dementia care with help from Dr. Catherine Madison, author of Navigating Memory Loss: Essential Questions And Answers On Alzheimer's And Dementia. Dr Madison introduces us to anosognosia - when we don't remember what we don't remember - and how to cope with it. We discuss the challenge and necessity of unlearning things we were taught as children, and how Hogeweyk - an innovative dementia village in the Netherlands is letting things happen. There’s a bittersweet update on Mom’s new penchant for solo musical numbers and tips for the tough work of crafting end of life instructions while you still can.  Links: https://www.amazon.com/Navigating-Memory-Loss-Essential-Alzheimers/dp/B0FMGR232F https://www.mdmemorycare.com/ https://hogeweyk.dementiavillage.com/ Chapters (00:00:00) - Interview(00:02:58) - Dementia Care: Unreasonably Irrational Events(00:04:27) - Mom's Singing Ditties(00:06:16) - Dr. Katherine Madison on Alzheimer's and Dementia(00:07:40) - Dr. Remington Dolby on Alzheimer's and dementia(00:09:58) - Dementia and the Alzheimer's Association(00:12:39) - Anosognosia and the evaluation of it(00:15:02) - Dementia: Different Realities(00:21:18) - How to Deal with Behavioural Dementia(00:27:13) - Is There a Premonition of Death in the Final Months of(00:30:41) - Decisions about end of life for people with dementia(00:39:00) - Talking About Death and Dying(00:39:58) - The social model for dementia care(00:48:50) - Dr. Catherine Madison on Alzheimer's and Dementia(00:50:10) - A caregiver's concerns about her dementia village(00:53:56) - How to Care for a Parent With Dementia(00:58:09) - Joanna: Thanks for listening to our podcast. You're already listening, so we appreciate you

    1 hr

  5. Apr 20

    Episode 18: AI Is Coming For Your Senior - With Juliet Holt Klinger

    Closing our series on Senior Tech, we are joined by Juliet Holt Klinger, a gerontologist and dementia care expert with 40 years of experience, including leadership at the nation's largest senior care network. Juliet brings a wealth of knowledge from her successful career and pivot to emerging technologies. In this fascinating discussion, we explore how AI and other tech tools are shaping the future of dementia care and aging in place. She shares insights on practical tech applications, privacy considerations and retrofitting tips to improve safety and quality of life for seniors. We also dive into the larger questions about what impact this tech may have on the healthcare system and how we can shape it for the better. Resources Mentioned: Ask Elbi – Ai-powered guidance app for dementia caregivers. SafelyYou – AI-enabled fall detection for senior care. Brookdale – Senior living and memory care solutions. Chapters (00:00:00) - In the Elevator With Talking Heads(00:02:05) - Jill Schumacher's Mother Passes Away(00:04:17) - This Week's Guest: Juliet Holt Klinger on Technology for Sen(00:07:10) - Juliet Holker on Tech and Dementia(00:10:30) - The Future of AI in dementia Caregiving(00:18:34) - Seniors and the AI of their care(00:26:23) - Questions about the Training of the AI in dementia care(00:32:14) - How to Get in the Bathroom With a Paralyzed Mom(00:33:45) - How to help someone with dementia cross a threshold(00:38:35) - How to Prepare a Mother's Bathroom for Alzheimer's(00:42:16) - Gardent Living: The Future of Senior Living(00:50:26) - Should Seniors Buy an ADU?(00:54:26) - Seniors and the Tech of Caregiving(00:59:11) - 3 Takeaways From Juliet's Conversation About AI in Senior Care(01:06:17) - Oh, My Pretty Face

    1h 7m

  6. Apr 3

    Episode 17: Nomo Smart Care - Watching Without Cameras

    How much tech is too much tech when monitoring a senior? After the siblings share how they navigated this balance with Joanna, they are joined by the team at Nomo Smart Care—an innovative monitoring system designed to help seniors maintain independence while giving caregivers much-needed peace of mind. President David Baer and Vice President of Marketing Lindsay Park stop by to discuss their unique approach to safety, which utilizes physical tags, motion detection, and proprietary software to ensure a safety net that respects privacy. Tune in to learn about Nomo’s features and how this technology is fundamentally transforming the caregiving experience. AND...use code Joanna10 for $10 off the Nomo Smart Care Essential Care Kit at nomosmartcare.com. Chapters (00:00:10) - Keeping the Home Safe for My Daughter(00:04:25) - Do Caregiving Cameras Hurt Your Mom's Privacy?(00:08:25) - Nomo Smart Care: Opening a Package(00:08:55) - Where Nomo Smart Care Goes From Here(00:12:48) - How To Protect Your Home(00:14:11) - Anomal Home Safety System: Essential Care Kit(00:18:55) - Nomo for Alzheimer's: The Home Companion(00:24:07) - Nomo Alert for Fall Detection(00:30:59) - The Caregiving App for the elderly(00:33:58) - Personal Data and Security(00:40:44) - Three Takeaways From Nomo Smart Care(00:46:52) - HSA/FSA and Flexible Savings Account(00:47:42) - PODCAST wrap up

    49 min

  7. Mar 27

    Episode 16: Rabbi Josh Bennett - When It Comes To Faith, What Are We Missing?

    Join us for an insightful conversation with Rabbi Josh Bennett from Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan. We explore the role of spirituality, the impact of Jewish traditions, and how faith and community support us through life's challenges, including caring for a loved one with dementia. Don't miss the Rabbi's deep dive into Karin's spiritual perspective and his thoughts on what 'religious' really means. Note: We recorded the Rabbi the day before the tragic events at Temple Israel - we are incredibly grateful to the first responders and community members who kept our Temple safe. Chapters (00:00:05) - "On the Street Where I Live"(00:00:43) - The Longest-Standing Congregation Member at Temple Israel(00:02:23) - A Caregiving Perspective on Temple Israel(00:06:52) - The Blind Talk(00:09:22) - Rabbi, From a Rabbinical Perspective(00:11:18) - Rabbi Josh Bennett's Introduction(00:12:01) - Rabbi Adam Levine on Becoming a Rabbi(00:17:17) - How spirituality can help you care for ailing loved one(00:22:47) - The importance of prayer in our lives(00:25:55) - What Do You Don't Believe In?(00:28:30) - Rabbi Ashkenazi on God and Community(00:33:10) - How to Care for a Dementia Patient(00:37:43) - Rabbi Josh on the Temple Israel Incident(00:39:44) - Do You Still Believe in God? With Rabbi Josh

    45 min

  8. Mar 20

    Episode 15: Feedback From The Front Lines Of Joanna

    Continuing our status chats about Mom's journey since moving back home, we welcome back to the pod the amazing Latrice, one of our Dream Team care members. She gives us her take on what she has seen looking after Joanna over these past 20 months. Before Latrice's feedback, Karin shares community notes about two of our favorite local resources - Durst-Ace Lumber in Berkley Michigan (acehardware.com/store-details/04257) and Barkside in Southfield Michigan (barksidedogbar.com). The former is a longtime lifesaver who still treats you like family, and the latter is a dog party planet on earth where Joanna has been flourishing on the weekends. In the betweens, to usher in spring Jojo offers some valiant falsettos for your listening pleasure.

    27 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Siblings Karin and Andrew Edelson are caring for their mother, Joanna, who has Alzheimer's. One year ago, they did the unthinkable - moving Joanna from assisted living back into the home she’s lived in for over 50 years. With the help of amazing caregivers, volunteer visitors, and Andrew, who has also moved back home, they are creating a lovely existence for their mom. Joanna finds joy in playing the piano and singing, belting out catchy riffs on classic tunes. Join them on their journey as they share stories about their experience and seek advice from experts on how to care for a loved one who is struggling with this devastating disease. In this podcast, they explain how they find humor and humanity while creating a community of caregiving listeners. You can email us at ifitsnotone@gmail.com.

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