6d ago

Human Forever | The man who moved into a dementia ward, with Teun Toebes | Club Sandwich

Dementia is the leading cause of death in Australia, and a lot of what we believe about it is making things worse. This week, meet the man who moved in. Ageing parents? You've got them. We've got you. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit https://clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUESTION: hello@clubsandwich.community In this episode:Our youngest guest yet. At 21, Dutch nurse Teun Toebes moved into the locked dementia ward of a nursing home and stayed three and a half years. Sarah Macdonald sits down with him on his first day in Australia to talk about what living alongside 130 housemates with dementia taught him: that the hardest part of the diagnosis is often not the disease, it's the way the world treats you once you have it. We don't lack beds or money, he says. We lack humanity. This Week's Hack: Take them out, and keep showing up. Your parent may not remember the visit, but they remember the feeling. So do the drive, the cup of tea, the trip to the shops, even when it feels pointless. And when you don't know what to say or do, be okay with not knowing. Caring for someone with dementia is a shared job, not a solo one. Send this to: Send this to your sibling, or to anyone who has stopped visiting because "they won't remember anyway." This is the episode that gently puts that one to bed. A moment that stays: Teun takes his housemate Ellie to her son Marcel's house. She walks in, bursts into tears, and says, "Now I finally know where my son lives." She couldn't have told you the address. But she felt it. Meet the regular Clubbers:Melissa Reader — CEO of Vera and expert on Australia's ageing crisis.Jo Lamble — Clinical psychologist specialising in guilt and family dynamics.Dr Ginni Mansberg — GP and women's health advocate who tells it straight.Dr Stephanie Ward — Geriatrician helping you understand when "old" becomes a crisis.Kerry Milligan — Gogglebox star bringing humour and honesty to the sandwich generation. Topics covered in this episode:- Why a 21-year-old nurse moved into a locked dementia ward, and what three and a half years taught him- The "code of freedom": being the only resident who can open the door- Why the stigma hurts more than the disease- Identities change with dementia, but they are not lost- The language problem: "brain gymnastics," "the restaurant of mistaken orders"- How to be with a parent who has dementia, even when you don't know how- Guilt, and why caring for someone with dementia is a shared responsibility- "They remember the feeling, not the visit"- Opening the locked doors: how 500+ Dutch care homes did it- Over-medicalisation: thickener, walkers, hip airbags and protein drinks by default- Quality of care vs quality of life- "Use it or lose it": real knives, real plants, real dogs, real campfires- Why one nursing home spent 10,000 euros a year on plastic plants- The hospital-bed problem and the cost of standardising care- Dementia as Australia's leading cause of death, and why that framing can backfire Mentioned in this episode: Human Forever — Teun Toebes and Jonathan de Jong's award-winning documentary, touring Australia. Tour dates: 11 JUNE – MELBOURNE, 12 JUNE – BANGALOW, 13 JUNE – BRISBANE. To find out more, visit https://human-forever.com/join-the-movement/ The Housemates — Teun's bestselling book about life on the ward. Teun's new book with Jonathan de Jong — out September 2026. Credits:Club Sandwich is brought to you by Vera, helping families caring for ageing parents navigate this stage of life so you don't have to do it alone. This episode was supported by Australian Unity Home Health and Care. Visit https://australianunity.com.au/clubsandwich.This episode was supported by NSW Trustee and Guardian — wills, power of attorney and enduring guardianship, sorted properly, so the people you love aren't left guessing. Search NSW Trustee and Guardian, or call 1300 10 20 30.Vera is your candid companion as you care for an ageing parent. Have a look at https://vera.guide. Sarah Macdonald — Host + Executive ProducerMelissa Reader — Commissioning Editor, Executive Producer + ClubberJustin McArthur – Executive Producer.Audio + video edits by P. Zinner Podcasts (https://pzinner.com.au)Thanks and kudos to Sean Wayland for our theme music Club Sandwich — hear more at https://seanwayland.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

38 min

Jun 3

One text away from falling apart | Bianca Dye on caring for a parent with dementia | Club Sandwich

Sarah Macdonald and Bianca Dye on caring solo for a mum with dementia when you have no kids and no siblings to share the load – and why "I don't have children" doesn't disqualify you from the sandwich generation.This week Sarah Macdonald is joined by broadcaster Bianca Dye: an only child, with no kids of her own, and the sole carer for her 81-year-old mum, who has Alzheimer's-form dementia. Bianca keeps apologising for "complaining" because she doesn't have children, and Sarah sets her straight early: you don't need a kid to be in the sandwich generation. It's about layers of life – work, care, your own health – all squeezing at once. The two ex-radio women cover the lumpy, chunk-by-chunk reality of a parent's decline, the guilt of being away for work, the small daily battles (the stains, the moved pills, the TV remote), and the army of friends who keep Bianca standing. There's a real hack in here too: you can be right, or you can be kind. Plus the practical lifelines – the Carer Gateway, Dementia Australia, home-care packages and the gap before they kick in, and looking at aged care before it becomes an emergency. And the part that will land hardest for a lot of our listeners: what it's like to nurture a parent who didn't fully nurture you, and how that can, strangely, heal something. Ageing parents? You've got them. We've got you. Content note: This episode includes frank discussion of dementia and of a parent expressing suicidal thoughts. If you need support, Lifeline is on 13 11 14 and the National Dementia Helpline is 1800 100 500. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit https://clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUESTION: hello@clubsandwich.communityThis Week's Hack: "You can be right, or you can be kind." Bianca's friend gave her this line and she leans on it constantly with her mum. With a parent who has dementia, winning the factual argument (which song came first, whether there's a stain) costs you the relationship and changes nothing. Let it go. Some practical advice:- use music as connection (people with dementia often light up and remember lyrics); - carers can get their own free counselling through the Carer Gateway; - call Dementia Australia (National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500); - start touring aged-care homes early so it's not a crisis decision (do the "sniff test" — see our aged-care episode); - get a Vera guide for a human to walk you through the maze. Meet the regular Clubbers:Melissa Reader. CEO of Vera and expert on Australia's ageing crisis.Jo Lamble. Clinical psychologist specialising in guilt and family dynamics.Dr Ginni Mansberg. GP and women's health advocate who tells it straight.Dr Stephanie Ward. Geriatrician helping you understand when "old" becomes a crisis.Kerry Milligan. Gogglebox star bringing humour and honesty to the sandwich generation.Topics covered in this episode:- Why you don't need kids to be in the sandwich generation — it's layers of life, not just children- Being an "only child" in caring, even when you have siblings who've stepped back- Friendship as chosen family — the army of friends who fill the gap- A mum's Alzheimer's-form dementia diagnosis, and reading the geriatrician's letter- "You can be right, or you can be kind" — letting go of being right- Music as a way in for people with dementia- When a small argument becomes a "trauma dump" — history surfacing under pressure- Caring with your own load: perimenopause, ADHD, executive dysfunction ("I can't human for two")- The guilt of being away for work and relying on neighbours and friends- Decline in chunks, and how moving a parent can trigger a sharp drop- ACAT assessment, the new home-care package levels (Level 8), and the gap before care starts- Looking after a parent's mental health, while protecting your own- Caring for a mum who wasn't always there for you (callback to the Mother's Day episode with Jo Lamble)- The decision about residential aged care, and touring homes early (the "sniff test")- Carer Gateway counselling, Dementia Australia, and getting a Vera guideCredits:Club Sandwich is brought to you by Vera, helping families caring for ageing parents navigate this stage of life so you don't have to do it alone. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit https://clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUESTION: hello@clubsandwich.community This episode is supported by Australian Unity Home Health and Care. Proactive local care that helps your parents stay independent and living well at home. Visit https://australianunity.com.au/clubsandwich. Need more clarity at 3 AM? Vera gives you a structured 15-minute voice conversation to help you understand where your parent stands and what to do next. Discover more at https://vera.guide. Sarah Macdonald – Host and Executive Producer.Melissa Reader – Commissioning Editor, Executive Producer and Clubber.Justin McArthur – Executive Producer.Audio + video edits by P. Zinner Podcasts (https://pzinner.com.au)Theme music 'Club Sandwich' by Sean Wayland. Hear more from Sean at https://seanwayland.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

36 min

May 27

Driving Us Crazy | Taking The Keys with Dr Joanne Bennett | Club Sandwich

Ageing parents? You've got them. We've got you. This week Sarah Macdonald is joined by Dr Joanne Bennett from the Australian Catholic University, designer of the upcoming 'Thriving Without Driving' program, to unpack one of the most loaded conversations in the sandwich generation: taking the keys.Together they map the three kinds of older drivers (the acceptors, the reluctants and the resistors), why stopping driving is associated with measurable spikes in depression, social isolation and cognitive decline, and why the conversation has to start years before there's a near miss – ideally in your parents' sixties, not after the dings on the bumper.Practical hacks include: how to use the doctor as your ally, how to discreetly notify your state's licensing agency, when an occupational therapist driving assessment is worth the ~$800, how Uber Senior, taxi vouchers and community transport can keep your parent independent, and why grandkids might be the unsung heroes of the public transport transition.Plus: the listener question from EJ, Sarah's "lost car at the shops" moment, and the dad-at-the-pub anecdote that captures the impossible tightrope every adult child is walking. This one is for anyone white-knuckling the passenger seat.JOIN THE CLUB: Visit https://clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUESTION: hello@clubsandwich.communityIn this episode:This Week's Hack: "Use the system, don't be the system." You don't have to be the bad guy who physically takes the keys. Every state and territory has a licensing-agency helpline where you can report a driver you're worried about; they'll trigger a medical assessment. Pair that with a GP visit (you can ask to be in the room) and, where the verdict is contested, an occupational therapist driving assessment (~$800) that goes well beyond the 20-minute on-road test. Bonus hack: open an **Uber Senior** account – larger font, family can book and track rides. Hot Mess Moment: Sarah's friend whose dad, after the keys were finally taken, made her drive him to the pub each week – then loudly introduced her at the bar as "my daughter, the one who stole my car and took away my life." She just smiled: "Hi everyone, call me Jane."Meet the regular Clubbers:Melissa Reader. CEO of Vera and expert on Australia's ageing crisis.Jo Lamble. Clinical psychologist specialising in guilt and family dynamics.Dr Ginni Mansberg. GP and women's health advocate who tells it straight.Dr Stephanie Ward. Geriatrician helping you understand when "old" becomes a crisis.Kerry Milligan. Gogglebox star bringing humour and honesty to the sandwich generation.Topics covered in this episode:- Why 'taking the keys' is one of the hardest conversations in the sandwich generation- The three kinds of older drivers: acceptors, reluctants, resistors- License loss as grief (dual-process model of coping with bereavement)- The health cost of stopping driving: depression 2x more likely, social isolation, cognitive decline- Why to start the conversation early – in your parents' sixties, not after a crash- Gateway conversations: triggers, near misses, "what does unsafe driving look like to you?"- Self-regulation strategies: no night driving, shorter distances, familiar routes- Newer, simpler cars with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)- When your parent lacks insight - Links to cognitive decline / dementia - Working with GPs and being in the room for the medical assessment- How to discreetly notify your state's licensing agency- Occupational therapist driving assessment (~$800) when the standard test is too easy- Practical alternatives: Uber Senior, taxi concession vouchers (My Aged Care), community transport, on-demand public transport-Why men in older generations often find license loss hardest- Grandkids as the secret weapon for public transport and tech transition- Dr Joanne Bennett's 'Thriving Without Driving' program (ACT Government-funded, with the website launching later in 2026)Credits:Club Sandwich is brought to you by Vera, helping families caring for ageing parents navigate this stage of life so you don't have to do it alone. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit https://clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUESTION: hello@clubsandwich.community This episode is supported by Australian Unity Home Health and Care. Proactive local care that helps your parents stay independent and living well at home. Visit https://australianunity.com.au/clubsandwich. Need more clarity at 3 AM? Vera gives you a structured 15-minute voice conversation to help you understand where your parent stands and what to do next. Discover more at https://vera.guide. Sarah Macdonald – Host and Executive Producer.Melissa Reader – Commissioning Editor, Executive Producer and Clubber.Justin McArthur – Executive Producer.Audio + video edits by P. Zinner Podcasts (https://pzinner.com.au)Theme music 'Club Sandwich' by Sean Wayland. Hear more from Sean at https://seanwayland.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

34 min

May 20

A Landscape of Loss | Bob Carr on losing his life partner | Club Sandwich

Former NSW Premier Bob Carr on losing his wife Helena, and the year of grief that followed. A long, honest conversation about bereavement. Ageing parents? You've got them. We've got you. In 2023, Bob Carr's wife Helena died of an aneurysm in his arms in Vienna, after a night at the opera. She'd been his constant companion for more than 50 years. The former NSW Premier and Foreign Minister has written about it in his book, Bring Back Yesterday. This week Sarah Macdonald sits down with Bob for a long, honest conversation about losing a life partner. What grief actually feels like. Why it comes in waves, not stages. And what to do if you're caring for a parent who's just been widowed. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit https://clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUESTION: hello@clubsandwich.community In this episode: This Week's Hack: There's no time limit on grief. If you're caring for a widowed parent, your job is to be present. Get them talking. Listen for the stories you didn't know. Sit with the photograph albums. And pay close attention to what their partner did. The cooking. The driving. The banking. The washing machine. The second unmooring after a death is practical, not just emotional. Listener Letter: Send this to a friend whose parent has been recently widowed, or to a friend in their own grief. No commentary needed. Meet the regular Clubbers:Melissa Reader. CEO of Vera and expert on Australia's ageing crisis.Jo Lamble. Clinical psychologist specialising in guilt and family dynamics.Dr Ginni Mansberg. GP and women's health advocate who tells it straight.Dr Stephanie Ward. Geriatrician helping you understand when "old" becomes a crisis.Kerry Milligan. Gogglebox star bringing humour and honesty to the sandwich generation. Topics covered in this episode:- The pharmacy in Vienna, and being "banished to the world of bereavement"- Who Helena was. Her career running a security printing business. Her smile. Her quiet strength.- The night at the opera in Vienna, and the aneurysm- Coming home alone with her ashes, and the year Bob walked the city- Why grief comes in waves, not stages- The empty house. The jar of honey in the fridge. The objects without animating force.- What Helena did. The cooking, the driving, the internet banking, the washing machine.- A metallic taste in the soul. C.S. Lewis on grief as slight concussion.- The patience grieving people need, and the friends who expect you to "get on with it"- Writing the book, and C.S. Lewis's fear of "snow piling on top of her"- The books that helped: Joan Didion, Geraldine Brooks, Julian Barnes, Gabriel García Márquez- Recruiting friends. Filling the diary as a survival tactic.- For anyone caring for a widowed parent. Get them talking. No time limit. The photograph albums. Mentioned in this episode:- Bring Back Yesterday by Bob Carr- The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion- Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks- A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis- Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez- Levels of Life by Julian Barnes Credits:Club Sandwich is brought to you by Vera, helping families caring for ageing parents navigate this stage of life so you don't have to do it alone. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit https://clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUESTION: hello@clubsandwich.community This episode is supported by Australian Unity Home Health and Care. Proactive local care that helps your parents stay independent and living well at home. Visit https://australianunity.com.au/clubsandwich. Need more clarity at 3 AM? Vera gives you a structured 15-minute voice conversation to help you understand where your parent stands and what to do next. Discover more at https://vera.guide. Sarah Macdonald – Host and Executive Producer.Melissa Reader – Commissioning Editor, Executive Producer and Clubber.Justin McArthur – Executive Producer.Audio + video edits by P. Zinner Podcasts (https://pzinner.com.au)Theme music 'Club Sandwich' by Sean Wayland. Hear more from Sean at https://seanwayland.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

41 min

May 13

Put The Kettle On | Five Questions To Ask Your Ageing Parents | Kerry Milligan and Jo Lamble | Club Sandwich

86% of us never have this conversation with our ageing parents. So we built you a way in. Free guide at https://putthekettleon.com.au — and a podcast episode to walk you through it. Ageing parents? You've got them. We've got you. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit https://clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUESTION: hello@clubsandwich.community In this episode:The Conversation: Sarah Macdonald and Kerry Milligan model the five Put The Kettle On questions live — what makes a good day, what independence looks like, who can help with decisions, the life-matters stuff (will, advance care directive, power of attorney, enduring guardianship), and the story you'd want remembered. Then clinical psychologist Jo Lamble debriefs the conversation — where Sarah pushed too hard, where Kerry blanched, and how to keep it a kindness instead of an interrogation when you do it at home. This Week's Hack: Start with the good. "Tell me what a good day looks like for you." Don't open with the will, the aged-care plan, or what they want at the funeral. Open with the bit they want to keep. The rest gets easier when they're already leaning in. Listener Letter / Send-this-to: Send this to your siblings. Before any of you turn up at the kitchen table, agree which one of you is going to lead the conversation. Five voices around the table is an intervention. One voice with a cup of tea is a chat. Hot Mess Moment: Kerry's idea of a good day — start in bed, swim, dance class, walk the dog, coffee with the girls, and then the "fancy man" for "a bit of horizontal tango." Sarah: "Probably too much information if you're doing this with a child." Kerry: noted. Meet the regular Clubbers:Melissa Reader — CEO of Vera and expert on Australia's ageing crisis.Jo Lamble — Clinical psychologist specialising in guilt and family dynamics.Dr Ginni Mansberg — GP and women's health advocate who tells it straight.Dr Stephanie Ward — Geriatrician helping you understand when "old" becomes a crisis.Kerry Milligan — Gogglebox star bringing humour and honesty to the sandwich generation. Topics covered in this episode:- Why 86% of us never have this conversation — and why 70 is a good time to start- The five Put The Kettle On questions, walked through live- What makes a good day — and what your parent would hate to lose- Independence, driving, and the dings on the car that tell you it's time- Showering, toileting, packaged dinners and who you'd let help- Who could speak for you when you can't speak for yourself- Wills, advance care directives, power of attorney, enduring guardianship — the bits everyone skips- The "I don't feel old enough yet" block — why even the most organised among us put one thing off- Forever-young baby boomers and the trouble with imagining yourself at 87- Why one sibling, not all of them, should lead the chat- Reading the room — when to push, when to put another kettle on- A free guide so you can do this at home — https://putthekettleon.com.au Mentioned in this episode:Put The Kettle On — free guide at https://putthekettleon.com.auStay For Supper with Dr Kathryn Mannix — Tuesday 2 June, Sydney. Tickets at https://clubsandwich.community or search "Stay For Supper" on Humanitix. Credits:Club Sandwich is brought to you by Vera, helping families caring for ageing parents navigate this stage of life so you don't have to do it alone. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit https://clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUESTION: hello@clubsandwich.community This episode was supported by Australian Unity Home Health and Care — proactive local care that helps your parents stay independent and living well at home. Visit https://australianunity.com.au/clubsandwich. Sometimes you need a debrief. And sometimes you need a plan. Vera is your candid companion as you care for an ageing parent — turns the system into a few clear next steps, and walks beside the conversations that are hardest to start. No forms. No pressure. Just plain words and a steadier next step. Have a look at https://vera.guide. Sarah Macdonald — Host + Executive ProducerMelissa Reader — Commissioning Editor, Executive Producer + ClubberJustin McArthur — Executive ProducerAudio + video edits by P. Zinner Podcasts (https://pzinner.com.au)Thanks and kudos to Sean Wayland for our awesome theme music Club Sandwich — hear more from Sean at https://seanwayland.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 2m

May 6

Mother's Day. It’s Different Now | A special Mother’s Day episode with Jo Lamble | Club Sandwich

Sandwich-generation carers don't get a holiday — not even on Mother's Day. Ageing parents? You've got them. We've got you. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUESTION: hello@clubsandwich.community In this episode:The Conversation: Sarah Macdonald and clinical psychologist Jo Lamble unpack the relationship shift nobody warns you about — when your mum stops worrying about you and starts needing you. They cover role reversal, unfiltered comments, re-triggered old wounds, the sibling who flies in like royalty, caring for mums who weren't there at all, and the long tail of Mother's Day grief. This Week's Hack: Compartmentalise. Have shower time / scream time. Acknowledge the pain. Then close the box and be the person you want to be. Listener Letter / Send-this-to: Send this to a sibling — let Jo Lamble say what you've been trying to say for months. Or send it to a friend who's about to have a hard Mother's Day. Hot Mess Moment: Sarah's mum at the eye doctor announcing — loud enough for the whole shop — that "we got that thing because we were r*ped by Vikings." Meet the regular Clubbers:Melissa Reader — CEO of Vera and expert on Australia's ageing crisis.Jo Lamble — Clinical psychologist specialising in guilt and family dynamics.Dr Ginni Mansberg — GP and women's health advocate who tells it straight.Dr Stephanie Ward — Geriatrician helping you understand when "old" becomes a crisis.Kerry Milligan — Gogglebox star bringing humour and honesty to the sandwich generation. Topics covered in this episode:- The sudden shift from being cared for to caring- Role reversal — doing up your mother's seatbelt- When personalities harden (or soften) with age- The lucky few — when your mum was your rock- When caring re-triggers old wounds and old patterns- Compartmentalising — shower time, scream time- When your mum loses her filter- When she rewrites your history- The sibling who flies in like royalty- Caring for a mum who wasn't there for you- Why Jo Lamble hates the word "boundaries"- Mother's Day grief that doesn't end- Making Mother's Day about you too — even just for 20 minutes Credits:Club Sandwich is brought to you by Vera, helping families caring for ageing parents navigate this stage of life so you don't have to do it alone. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUESTION: hello@clubsandwich.community Need more clarity at 3 AM? Vera gives you a structured 15-minute voice conversation to help you understand where your parent stands and what to do next. Discover more at vera.guide. Sarah Macdonald — Host + Executive ProducerMelissa Reader — Commissioning Editor, Executive Producer + ClubberJustin McArthur — Executive ProducerAudio + video edits by P. Zinner Podcasts (https://pzinner.com.au)Thanks and kudos to Sean Wayland for our awesome theme music Club Sandwich — hear more from Sean at seanwayland.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

36 min

Apr 29

Can You Do This Without a Drink? | Melissa Reader | Club Sandwich

If a glass of wine has become your shortcut from caregiving stress to “I can finally exhale”, this episode is for you. Ageing parents? You’ve got them. We’ve got you. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit https://clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community. SEND US YOUR QUESTION: hello@clubsandwich.community In this episode: The Conversation: Sarah Macdonald and Melissa Reader talk honestly about alcohol in midlife, especially for women caring for ageing parents while juggling work, family, stress and the mental load of everyone else’s needs. They unpack why alcohol became such a normal coping tool for Gen X, why it can stop working in midlife, what it does to sleep, and how to build new rituals for the hardest hour of the day. This Week’s Hack: Replace wine o’clock with time o’clock. Build a deliberate non-alcoholic ritual for the hardest part of the day, whether that is a proper mocktail, a walk, exercise, or something else that genuinely helps shift your energy. Hot Mess Moment: Melissa shares the family gathering that went pear-shaped, and the two strong gin and tonics that followed. Meet the regular ClubbersMelissa Reader - CEO of Vera and expert on Australia’s ageing crisis.Jo Lamble - Clinical psychologist specializing in guilt and family dynamics.Dr Ginni Mansberg - GP and women’s health advocate who tells it straight.Dr Stephanie Ward - Geriatrician helping you understand when “old” becomes a crisis.Kerry Milligan - Gogglebox star bringing humor and honesty to the sandwich generation. Topics covered in this episode* midlife women and alcohol* caring for ageing parents and stress* why Gen X grew up drinking this way* wine o’clock and the sandwich generation* alcohol, hormones and sleep* why alcohol can stop working in midlife* ritual, habit and stress relief* non-alcoholic alternatives* mocktails and replacement rituals* how to slow the day down without a drink This episode was supported by Australian Unity, home health and care services. Proactive local care that helps your parents live well at home, less stress for them, less worry for you, and more time for the good stuff. Visit https://www.australianunity.com.au/clubsandwich. CreditsClub Sandwich is brought to you by Vera, helping families caring for ageing parents navigate this stage of life so you don’t have to do it alone. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit https://clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUESTION: hello@clubsandwich.community Melissa Reader - CEO of Vera and expert on Australia’s ageing crisis.Jo Lamble - Clinical psychologist specialising in guilt and family dynamics.Dr Ginni Mansberg - GP and women’s health advocate who tells it straight.Dr Stephanie Ward - Geriatrician helping you understand when old becomes a crisis.Kerry Milligan - Gogglebox star bringing humour and honesty to the sandwich generation. This episode was supported by Australian Unity, home health and care services. Proactive local care that helps your parents live well at home, less stress for them, less worry for you, and more time for the good stuff. Visit https://www.australianunity.com.au/clubsandwich. Need more clarity at 3 AM? Vera gives you a structured 15-minute voice conversation to help you understand where your parent stands and what to do next. Discover more at https://vera.guide. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 min

Apr 22

Aged Care: The Sniff Test | When home is no longer safe| Club Sandwich

Trying to work out aged care in Australia before you are forced into it? This episode is your practical starting point. Sarah Macdonald and Linda Mellors break down how aged care works, what My Aged Care actually does, when to start, what home care packages mean, and how to make early decisions that can save families stress later. Ageing parents? You’ve got them. We’ve got you. In this episodeThe Conversation: Sarah Macdonald and Linda Mellors unpack aged care in Australia, from My Aged Care and assessments to home care packages, aged care at home, and how families can start planning before crisis hits. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUESTION: hello@clubsandwich.community Melissa Reader - CEO of Vera and expert on Australia’s ageing crisis.Jo Lamble - Clinical psychologist specialising in guilt and family dynamics.Dr Ginni Mansberg - GP and women’s health advocate who tells it straight.Dr Stephanie Ward - Geriatrician helping you understand when old becomes a crisis.Kerry Milligan - Gogglebox star bringing humour and honesty to the sandwich generation. This episode was supported by Australian Unity, home health and care services. Proactive local care that helps your parents live well at home, less stress for them, less worry for you, and more time for the good stuff. Visit australianunity.com.au/clubsandwich.Need more clarity at 3 AM? Vera gives you a structured 15-minute voice conversation to help you understand where your parent stands and what to do next. Discover more at vera.guide. Sarah Macdonald - Host + Executive ProducerMelissa Reader - Commissioning Editor, Executive Producer + ClubberRachel Fountain - Executive ProducerAudio + video edits by Fountain Media GroupThanks and kudos to Sean Wayland for our awesome theme music Club Sandwich - hear more from Sean at seanwayland.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

43 min

Club Sandwich

Human Forever | The man who moved into a dementia ward, with Teun Toebes | Club Sandwich

One text away from falling apart | Bianca Dye on caring for a parent with dementia | Club Sandwich

Driving Us Crazy | Taking The Keys with Dr Joanne Bennett | Club Sandwich

A Landscape of Loss | Bob Carr on losing his life partner | Club Sandwich

Put The Kettle On | Five Questions To Ask Your Ageing Parents | Kerry Milligan and Jo Lamble | Club Sandwich

Mother's Day. It’s Different Now | A special Mother’s Day episode with Jo Lamble | Club Sandwich

Can You Do This Without a Drink? | Melissa Reader | Club Sandwich

Aged Care: The Sniff Test | When home is no longer safe| Club Sandwich

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Introducing Agehood: The podcast for people who are quietly carrying it all

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Club Sandwich

Episodes

Human Forever | The man who moved into a dementia ward, with Teun Toebes | Club Sandwich

One text away from falling apart | Bianca Dye on caring for a parent with dementia | Club Sandwich

Driving Us Crazy | Taking The Keys with Dr Joanne Bennett | Club Sandwich

A Landscape of Loss | Bob Carr on losing his life partner | Club Sandwich

Put The Kettle On | Five Questions To Ask Your Ageing Parents | Kerry Milligan and Jo Lamble | Club Sandwich

Mother's Day. It’s Different Now | A special Mother’s Day episode with Jo Lamble | Club Sandwich

Can You Do This Without a Drink? | Melissa Reader | Club Sandwich

Aged Care: The Sniff Test | When home is no longer safe| Club Sandwich

Trailers

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