Aging Angst and Alleluias Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly

Sue Duffield, producer of the Aging Angst and Alleuias Podcast as well as newly appointed board member of the Veranda Ministries, takes her frivolity on-location broadcasting to one of the biggest days on the Veranda Calendar - Derby Day! Imagine staff and volunteers using wheeled walkers with inflated horses' heads attached, racing on the parking lot, creating howling applause and laughter by all attendees, especially those with dementia! This was a day filled with hee-haw-like joy, and this episode just gives a small glimpse into the world of dementia and the desperate need for those with cognitive impairment to have a day to be normal. As Barbara, one of the precious clients of the Veranda, says at the very end, "It's good for my brain. I love coming here."
www.theverandaministries.org

Host Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly is definitely “The Keeper of Their Stories”. This realm and reality of her clients and the family of caregivers with dementia, enhances the dignity of physical hygiene and bathing to the understanding of routine. Dementia care is never an excuse for mistreatment or disrespect.
Mary Anne is also a clinician on the road, taking her workshops and speaking to places like Lipscomb University, Welch College and also the Timesavers’ Proactive Aging Event at Southern Kentucky University’s WCPL Memory Café. Mary Anne’s visionary force of encouraging “on-the-road” facilitating has her experiencing many young people’s interest in relationship based care and the value of education and training in the ProActive aging field.
Coming soon is a brand new video featuring the stories and people behind those stories from the Veranda Ministries. For more information get on www.verandaministries.org
Other resources worth visiting: www.dementiaminds.org and www.sokyhappenings.com/2024/03/timesavers-announces-proactive-aging-series-event/

Sometimes dealing with dementia and the end-of-life process can be as clear as mud. But today’s guest, Helen Bauer, comes as an expert in hospice care with exceptional detail that every care-partner needs. You’ll hear phrases like “senile degeneration of the brain” and “the difficulty in assessing someone with dementia at end-of-life with only a snap chat” and “the importance of education and mutual understanding of grief.” All this, and a whole lot more, during this episode includes the value of “touch, gentleness, respect and how the patient is spoken to." This is the personhood and perspective of Helen Bauer.
Helen Bauer, BSN RN CHPN, End of Life Educator and Advocate (The Heart of Hospice, LLC) has worked in nursing for over 30 years, specializing in hospice and end-of-life care since 2009. She is a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Registered Nurse with a background in compliance and consulting. As owner of The Heart of Hospice, she provides end-of-life education and consulting for services for both hospice providers and consumers. The Heart of Hospice Podcast is in its eighth season as a high-ranking international podcast, heard on many networks.
More about Helen Bauer: www.theheartofhospice.com
www.theheartofhospice.com/podcast
www.theheartofhospice.com/services
www.theverandaministries.org
 
 

It’s not unusual to have difficulty finding the right word or remembering where you put things. But persistent problems with memory or the ability to perform everyday tasks might be signs of something more serious.
An "Early Onset of Dementia" or "Mild Cognitive Impairment" diagnosis can be a sudden blow to any family. In this case and on this episode, gospel musician, Josh Singletary, shares about his Mom with a recent diagnosis of dementia. His honesty of the unknown road ahead makes this a vulnerable story of a family trying to pull together for their loved one. 
Josh’s love for his Mom, his knowledge of music and faith in the Lord and his family's desire to walk this unknown territory with their eyes wide open, is encouraging for any family walking this dementia journey.  
www.verandaministries.org
www.joshsingletary.com

This episode with guest, Gay Gingrich, RN, BSN, and host Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly, shares how both women met through their studies with Teepa Snow's “Positive Approach to Care.” The discussion begins with two new friends with shared interests and passion for those with dementia as well as Gay’s obvious love of her work as a Geriatric Psych Nurse.  
Gay’s approach to caring for those living with dementia is that of relationships, compassion, and a different perspective of care. She discusses how she believes it’s a better approach when these principles are adhered to. Gay’s faith is of utmost importance to her daily walk and the care given to her patients. It's an unwavering belief that there is a better more compassionate way to care for and give hope to families along with those living with dementia. There is a much better way to help those with no voice in today’s society. We must all come together and seek that better way. 
www.verandaministries.org

Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly's mother's homegoing happened on a Leap Year. As with any family losing a loved one, the anniversary of that loved one's death comes in a tsunami-like wave of great proportion each year. But February 29th only happens every four years, and obviously, it can make the intensity of the weight of grief even more difficult. 
Take a drive "across that Memphis Bridge" with Mary Anne as she revisits the most difficult days of her life. She shares how the broken system of her parents' care throttles her passion in offering hope for caregivers by fascillitating The Veranda Ministries respite program for those with dementia and Alzheimer's.
Supportive friends and family, along with your own quality of health and well-being, can play a role in how grief impacts you following bereavement. It’s important to know that there are healthy ways to cope with grief. Life may never be quite the same again, but honoring your loved one on those anniversaries can bring hope and optimism as you move forward with your life.
www.verandaministries.org