Value of Wrinkles: Caregiving, Aging & Intergenerational Connection

Isabel Tom

Welcome to Value of Wrinkles. A heartfelt podcast hosted by Isabel Tom, author, speaker, and forever grandchild. Inspired by her book The Value of Wrinkle: A Young Perspective on How Loving the Old Will Change Your Life, this show celebrates the beauty of aging, the power of intergenerational relationships, and the transformative role of caregiving. Each episode explores how to connect more deeply with the older generation, offering practical advice, tender stories, and honest conversations on topics like elder care, aging parents, and legacy. Whether you're a caregiver, grandchild, or someone simply curious about growing older with grace, this podcast will help you love the older generation and yourself a little more.

  1. EP 109: Careers in Aging Month: Interview with Erin Pickrell

    Mar 12

    EP 109: Careers in Aging Month: Interview with Erin Pickrell

    Shownotes: In this insightful interview, Erin Pickrell, owner and director of Griswold Home Care in Chevy Chase, shares her journey into the home care industry, the importance of compassionate caregiving, and what it takes to run a successful home care agency. Discover how her background, passion for helping others, and entrepreneurial spirit drive her work in aging services. Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction to Home Care and Entrepreneurship 03:49 - Understanding the Role of Certified Nursing Assistants 06:36 - Erin's Journey to Home Care 08:46 - The Importance of Scheduling and Matchmaking 11:37 - Building a Supportive Work Environment 14:00 - Personal Stories and Meaningful Connections 16:34 - Conclusion and Contact Information Resources mentioned: Website - https://www.griswoldcare.com/chevy-chase/ Prepare to Care Course: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/preptocare Ep 74 - Thinking About Working in Senior Care? Next Steps Explained Ep 73 - The Truth About Working with People with Dementia—w/ Becky Donahue Ep 72 - What You Didn't Know About Funeral Directors: Inside the Industry w/ Jamie Arthurs Ep 71 - How I Went from Business Major to Senior Care and 5 Things I Learned 🎧 Show Notes: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/listen 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabelctom/ 📖 Read The Value of Wrinkles: https://www.amazon.com/Value-Wrinkles-Perspective-Loving-Change/dp/0802419534 📬 Join the email list: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/signup 📌 Get your GKI Kit: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/gkifam

    24 min
  2. EP 108: Careers in Aging: How Helping Older Adults Can Change Your Life

    Mar 6

    EP 108: Careers in Aging: How Helping Older Adults Can Change Your Life

    Shownotes: Celebrating Careers and Aging Month, I explored various career options in aging services, shared personal insights, and highlighted the rewarding nature of working with older adults. Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction to Careers in Aging 02:39 - Exploring Opportunities in Aging Services 05:35 - The Importance of Working with Older Adults Resources mentioned: Prepare to Care Course: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/preptocare Ep 74 - Thinking About Working in Senior Care? Next Steps Explained Ep 73 - The Truth About Working with People with Dementia—w/ Becky Donahue Ep 72 - What You Didn't Know About Funeral Directors: Inside the Industry w/ Jamie Arthurs Ep 71 - How I Went from Business Major to Senior Care and 5 Things I Learned 🎧 Show Notes: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/listen 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabelctom/ 📖 Read The Value of Wrinkles: https://www.amazon.com/Value-Wrinkles-Perspective-Loving-Change/dp/0802419534 📬 Join the email list: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/signup 📌 Get your GKI Kit: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/gkifam

    8 min
  3. EP 107: Navigating Life as a Young Caregiver - with Beka Dowhy

    Feb 26

    EP 107: Navigating Life as a Young Caregiver - with Beka Dowhy

    Shownotes: In this conversation, Beka shared about the unique experiences of child caregivers, drawing from her personal story of caring for her mother who has multiple sclerosis. Together, we explore the emotional challenges that come with caregiving at a young age, the sense of purpose it can bring, and how often youth caregivers go unrecognized. We also discuss why it's so important for children to understand health conditions and share coping strategies that can help young caregivers navigate their roles with more support and confidence. Highlights: 03:17 - The Reality of Youth Caregivers 05:42 - Navigating Caregiving Challenges 08:22 - Understanding Multiple Sclerosis and Its Impact 10:37 - The Importance of Support Networks 10:52 - Introduction to Caregiving Support Network 12:12 - Encouragement for Young Caregivers Resources mentioned: Website - https://www.caregivingsupportnetwork.org/ Prepare to Care Course: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/preptocare 🎧 Show Notes: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/listen 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabelctom/ 📖 Read The Value of Wrinkles: https://www.amazon.com/Value-Wrinkles-Perspective-Loving-Change/dp/0802419534 📬 Join the email list: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/signup 📌 Get your GKI Kit: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/gkifam

    12 min
  4. EP 106: You're Already Watching the Olympics: 4 Ways Adult Children in the Sandwich Generation Can Turn it into Connection

    Feb 5

    EP 106: You're Already Watching the Olympics: 4 Ways Adult Children in the Sandwich Generation Can Turn it into Connection

    Shownotes: In this episode of the Value of Wrinkles podcast, I share four practical and heartfelt ways we can use the upcoming Winter Olympics as a meaningful way to connect with our aging parents and grandparents. From simple conversation starters to opportunities to serve with intention, these ideas are designed to help us build deeper intergenerational connection, understanding, and respect right where we are. Watch it together Share facts and create conversation. Help them setup TV/streaming to be able to watch the Olympics Create a watch schedule for the sports they enjoy watching. Highlights: 00:00 - Connecting Generations Through the Olympics 02:50 - Engaging Conversations with Aging Parents 05:19 - Practical Ways to Serve and Connect 11:02 - Creating Meaningful Interactions 16:33 - The Importance of Enjoying Life Together Resources mentioned: Stream the Olympics - Watch 2026 Winter Olympics | Peacock Grandkid Investigator Kit - https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/gkifam 🎧 Show Notes: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/listen 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabelctom/ 📖 Read The Value of Wrinkles: https://www.amazon.com/Value-Wrinkles-Perspective-Loving-Change/dp/0802419534 📬 Join the email list: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/signup 📌 Get your GKI Kit: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/gkifam

    21 min
  5. EP 105: Building Connection: How LEGO® Helps People Living with Dementia – with Loretta Veney (Part 2)

    Jan 22

    EP 105: Building Connection: How LEGO® Helps People Living with Dementia – with Loretta Veney (Part 2)

    Shownotes: In this episode, we continue our conversation with Loretta Veney and reflect on how Legos became an unexpected source of emotional support and communication during her mother's long journey with dementia. Listening to Loretta share how therapeutic play strengthened family bonding, encouraged memory sharing, and deepened their intergenerational connection reminded me that caregiving doesn't always have to feel heavy to be meaningful. We talk about how building together created moments of joy and understanding, even when words were hard to find. This episode invites you to rethink caregiving and see how simple tools like Legos can transform connection, one shared build at a time. Highlights: 00:00 - Lego Serious Play: A Unique Approach to Engagement 22:38 - Connecting Through Caregiving and Creativity 24:06 - Resources for Caregivers: Prepare to Care Course Resources mentioned: Website: https://lorettaveney.com/ Loretta's book: https://lorettaveney.com/shop/ols/products/being-my-moms-mom-3rd-edition Episode 104: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/blog/Building-Connection-How-LEGO-Helps-People-Living-with-Dementia-with-Loretta-Veney-Part-1 Prepare to Care Course: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/preptocare 🎧 Show Notes: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/listen 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabelctom/ 📖 Read The Value of Wrinkles: https://www.amazon.com/Value-Wrinkles-Perspective-Loving-Change/dp/0802419534 📬 Join the email list: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/signup 📌 Get your GKI Kit: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/gkifam

    25 min
  6. EP 104: Building Connection: How LEGO® Helps People Living with Dementia – with Loretta Veney (Part 1)

    Jan 15

    EP 104: Building Connection: How LEGO® Helps People Living with Dementia – with Loretta Veney (Part 1)

    Shownotes: In this episode, I sit down with Loretta Veney and listen to the beautiful way Legos became a bridge for communication during her mother's journey with dementia. She shares how something as simple as play created moments of joy, creativity, and deep emotional connection within her family, even during hard seasons. I was moved by how these small acts of engagement supported both her mother's mental health and her own as a caregiver. This conversation is a powerful reminder that connection doesn't have to be complicated sometimes it starts with a handful of Legos and a willing heart. Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction to Loretta Veney and Her Lego Journey 04:32 - Using Legos as a Communication Tool for Dementia 08:20 - Finding Joy in the Face of Dementia 12:00 - Lego Serious Play: A Unique Approach to Engagement 13:49 - The Power of Play and Connection 15:09 - Using Legos for Dementia Care Resources mentioned: https://lorettaveney.com/ Loretta's book: https://lorettaveney.com/shop/ols/products/being-my-moms-mom-3rd-edition 🎧 Show Notes: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/listen 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabelctom/ 📖 Read The Value of Wrinkles: https://www.amazon.com/Value-Wrinkles-Perspective-Loving-Change/dp/0802419534 📬 Join the email list: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/signup

    17 min
  7. EP 103: Love Doesn't End in December: Why January Visits Matter and How the Grandkid Investigator Kit Helps

    Jan 8

    EP 103: Love Doesn't End in December: Why January Visits Matter and How the Grandkid Investigator Kit Helps

    Shownotes: In this episode, I talk about why January visits can be some of the most meaningful moments for our aging parents and loved ones in senior living. After the holidays pass and the noise fades, loneliness can settle in and that's when connection matters most. I share how my experiences in caregiving have shown me the importance of consistent family visits and intergenerational connection, not just seasonal check-ins. I also introduce the Grand Kid Investigator Kit as a simple way to create meaningful visits and help kids show up with curiosity, confidence, and heart all year long. Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction to the Value of Wrinkles Podcast 00:26 - The Importance of January Visits 03:45 - The Grand Kid Investigator Kit 08:26 - Making Meaningful Connections Year-Round Resources mentioned: Follow the GKI Holiday Caravan - Visiting senior living communities during the holidays Check out the GKI Kit -Grandkid Investigator Kit - Make time with grandparents memorable 🎧 Show Notes: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/listen 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabelctom/ 📖 Read The Value of Wrinkles: https://www.amazon.com/Value-Wrinkles-Perspective-Loving-Change/dp/0802419534 📬 Join the email list: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/signup

    11 min
  8. EP 102: When Kids are Afraid of Visiting Senior Living Communities

    12/19/2025

    EP 102: When Kids are Afraid of Visiting Senior Living Communities

    Shownotes: In this episode, I share why caregiving and aging have taught me so much about the power of intergenerational connection, especially during the holidays. I talk about what I've learned from bringing kids into senior living communities whether through a holiday caravan, community service, or simple family activities and how we can help children overcome fear and uncertainty when visiting seniors. I also share why patience matters, and how meaningful relationship building takes time, trust, and repeated moments of showing up. My hope is to give you practical encouragement to help kids and seniors connect in ways that feel joyful, respectful, and lasting. Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction to the Value of Wrinkles Podcast 00:27 - The Importance of Visiting Senior Living Communities 01:30 - Overcoming Kids' Fear of Senior Visits 04:04 - Building Comfort and Patience in Kids 09:08 - Task-Oriented Engagement for Kids 12:31 - Closing Thoughts and Future Plans Resources mentioned: GKI Holiday Caravan - https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/hckids Check our Website - https://www.valueofwrinkles.com 🎧 Show Notes: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/listen 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabelctom/ 📖 Read The Value of Wrinkles: https://www.amazon.com/Value-Wrinkles-Perspective-Loving-Change/dp/0802419534 📬 Join the email list: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/signup

    14 min
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4.8
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Welcome to Value of Wrinkles. A heartfelt podcast hosted by Isabel Tom, author, speaker, and forever grandchild. Inspired by her book The Value of Wrinkle: A Young Perspective on How Loving the Old Will Change Your Life, this show celebrates the beauty of aging, the power of intergenerational relationships, and the transformative role of caregiving. Each episode explores how to connect more deeply with the older generation, offering practical advice, tender stories, and honest conversations on topics like elder care, aging parents, and legacy. Whether you're a caregiver, grandchild, or someone simply curious about growing older with grace, this podcast will help you love the older generation and yourself a little more.

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