The Caregiver Community

Ask any person over the age of 65, and they’ll tell you they’re losing muscle mass and strength – quickly! In fact, adults can lose 3-8% of their muscle mass every decade after the age of 30! That’s why this podcast will address the body’s progression as we age – and how caregivers can help their aging loved ones stay fit well into their senior years.  Joining our host Karen Summey, MA, ACAP...

Loss of mobility can happen gradually or suddenly, making everyday activities more challenging for older adults and the families who support them. In this podcast, join host Karen Summey, MA, ACAPcommunity Project Manager and Podcast Host, Active Family Caregiver and Mr. Bill Price, Owner, Mobility Scooters and More, Roswell, GA as they explore how to recognize when it may be time to consider mobility solutions and how to assess ch...

What exactly does an aging life care manager do—and when should families consider one? In this episode, host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity and Ms. Tracy Johnson, RN, CCM, CDAL; Registered Nurse Care Consultant, Aging Life Care Professional, Certified Dementia Care Practitioner, and CEO of Premier Care Management of Georgia, break down the care management process, how it differs from home care, warning signs that care management...

More than 275,000 Americans die each year due to medication mismanagement, and 750 older adults are hospitalized every day from medication-related harm. And, on average, individual Americans waste about $6000 every year on unnecessary medications. In this episode, host Karen Summey, MA ACAPcommuntiy welcomes Dr. DeLon Canterbury, PharmD, BCGP, President/CEO of GeriatRx, Inc. We take a look at overprescribing, medication safety, and...

It’s a busy and stressful time of year! But all times of the year can be stressful for caregivers. While we can’t always change that, we can manage that stress a bit better by using creativity for self-care, in almost any environment. Specifically, we’re talking about art for non-artist caregivers and their loved ones. It’s the process of de-stressing that counts – not the result! Join Karen Summey, AC...

Caring for an older adult often means finding ways to make daily life safer, easier, and more enjoyable. This month host Karen Summey, MA, ACAPcommunity is joined by Jane Everson, PhD, and Catherine Hague, Retired English and Creative Writing Teacher. All three are active family caregivers and will offer helpful tips from the front lines of caregiving, as well as ideas for the perfect holiday (or year-round) gifts for yourself...

In this episode host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity is joined by Julie Packer, Director of Professional Relations, Carolina Caring. Karen and Julie take a look at Hospice and Palliative Care services, dispel some preconceived notions, get an inside look at what these programs are, how they work, and who is eligible to receive them. It’s more than you think!  

More than 63 million adults in the United States are caregivers. That’s more than one in four adults in our nation! They’re our family, our neighbors, and our co-workers. Are you among them? Do you know some of them? Or do you employ them? Join host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity and guest Mark Hensley, Associate State Director, Outreach & Advocacy, AARP North Carolina to hear more about the state of caregiving in Amer...

Advance care planning isn’t just a legal process – it’s a deeply human one. In this episode, we talk with an advance care planning expert about how emotions, relationships, and evolving life circumstances shape end-of-life decisions. Join host Karen Summey, MA, Project Manager, ACAPcommunity and guest Libby Dunahoo, Manager of the Advance Care Planning department for Northeast Georgia Health System as they explore...

Gardening is more than just a physical activity; it’s also deeply emotional to those who pursue it across a lifetime. It’s part of a person’s identity, grounding, and place in the world. As physical challenges ensue through the years, it’s important to know how to adapt gardening activities and tools along the way. Gardeners and their care partners can plan ahead to ensure this meaningful part of life contin...

Caregiving can push anyone past their limits. In this conversation, trauma-informed strategist Christy Shi Day shares how understanding our nervous system can help us stay calm, connected, and grounded — even in the most challenging moments. Learn simple, science-based tools for emotional regulation, clearer communication, and more resilient relationships with your aging parents, your family, and yourself.

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Helping Your Loved Ones Stay Strong and Healthy as They Age...In this episode of the Caregiver Community host Karen Summey, project manager for ACAPcommunity, is joined by Dr. Mitchell Straub, owner and founder of Vital Rehab and Wellness in State College, PA. Join Karen and Mitchell as they explore the intersection of well-being and physical therapy - and how care partners can spot signs that their loved ones need professional hel...

What does it mean to be a caregiver? What impacts exist for both the caregiver and the care recipient(s)? Join host Karen Summey, project manager for ACAPcommunity, and Frances Hall, Founder and Executive Director of ACAPcommunity, as they talk about the joys and challenges of caring for aging parents and other adult loved ones.

This episode of The Caregiver Community is made possible by our podcast sponsor, Pace @ Home in Newton,...

How can we make sure the home is safe and comfortable for loved ones, regardless of age? Join host Karen Summey, project manager for ACAPcommunity, and Rev. Jim Luck, retired Aging in Place and Universal Design specialist, as they discuss areas of the home to consider and strategies for keeping loved ones safe in the home.

To view the slides from the presentation in this episode please click this link

This episode of The Caregiver ...

Supporting an aging loved one, particularly from a distance, can include unique challenges. In this podcast, Frances Hall, Founder & Executive Director of ACAPcommunity is joined by Dr. Cheryl Greenberg, a life coach for seniors and their families, presents insights into understanding loved ones’ needs from a distance, steps for effectively addressing the concerns, and some of the particular challenges of providing suppor...

LGBTQIA+ adults take on caregiving roles for older adults more frequently than their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Who are these caregivers and their lived experiences? What opportunities exist to support LGBTQIA+ people needing care and LGBTQIA+ caregivers? In this episode, Frances Hall, Founder & Executive Director of ACAPcommunity is joined by Dr. Joel G. Anderson, PhD, CHTP, FGSA – Professor in the College of Nurs...

For a variety of reasons, underserved populations – rural, elderly, low education, minority groups, etc. – often experience barriers to accessing healthcare, and their caregivers find particular challenges to providing needed care. In this podcast, interviewers Frances Hall Founder & Executive Director, of ACAPcommunity, and AJ Kerley Director of Professional Relations at PACE@Home, will discuss with John Uche, MD &...

In the past 20 years, the US has experienced multiple types of disasters that have devastated lives and communities. In this episode, host Frances Hall, Executive Director of ACAPcommunity is joined by Karen Scallan, Owner/Advocate of Special Needs and Parent Support Services of Louisiana. Karen, a nationally recognized expert in disaster preparedness and a survivor of Hurricane Katrina offers specific strategies that support older...