June 20, 2025 • 35 mins
Welcome to the last episode of our 3 part 'Detroit Cares About Caregivers' Series!
What resources actually exist for caregivers, and how do you access them when you need support? This question haunts many people thrust into caregiving roles, often leaving them feeling isolated and overwhelmed. In this episode, we bring together powerhouse resources ready to lighten your load—without emptying your wallet.
The biggest revelation? Many people providing significant care don't identify as caregivers at all. "If you're providing services for a loved one, a neighbor, anyone that depends on you for assistance, advice, or expertise—you are a caregiver," explains Dr. McNeill, DNP, Project Director of Wayne State University's A.G.R.E.E.D-GWEP program. This critical identity shift opens the door to a wealth of support many never knew existed.
We dive deep with experts from three major organizations: Wayne State University's Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (a $5 million initiative), the Alzheimer's Association Michigan Chapter, and the Detroit Area Agency on Aging. Each shares concrete resources they offer completely free—from respite care options and support groups to innovative apps that help navigate the healthcare system and ensure accountability from providers.
Whether you're new to caregiving or have been shouldering responsibilities for years, this episode connects you with organizations that have already done the hard work of figuring out what caregivers need. As we wrap up our Detroit tour, we leave listeners with practical entry points to engage with these resources—websites, phone numbers, upcoming events, and most importantly, the encouragement to reach out.
Remember: Alzheimer's is heavy, but we don't have to be. Follow us for more conversations that bring light to the caregiving journey and subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode that might just change your caregiving experience.
For more information about the AGREED program, please visit http://agreed.wayne.edu.
"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
This episode is all about the longest day and we are
making sure that it will be apart of that movement of yours.
The longest day for anyone whodoesn't know, it is technically
the summer solstice, which Idon't know which scientists made
that up, but it is the longestday of sunlight on the whole
(00:23):
globe.
But the Alzheimer's Associationdid say that it would be their
biggest marketing fundraisingday of the year, because we're
going to shed light on this darkdisease.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
You're going to be in a caregiver space some point in
your life, whether you need it,whether you are it, you're
going to be in that space.
When you find yourself in thatrole, whatever the barriers are,
whatever those feelings thatyou're feeling, just know that
there is someone on the otherend.
Just know that there is thatother helping hand.
(00:58):
A lot of the times we thinkthat there's not or we think
that I won't be qualified or Iwon't.
You know they don't want tohear my story.
Yes, we do.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
I think that one of the things I would like to say
is that people have to first ownthat they are caregivers.
I think that that is one of thebarriers.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
Parenting Up.
Caregiving Adventures withcomedian Jay Smiles is the
intense journey of unexpectedlybeing fully responsible for my
mama.
For over a decade I've beenchipping away at the unknown,
advocating for her and pushingAlzheimer's awareness on anyone
and anything with a heartbeat.
(01:37):
Spoiler alert this shit isheavy.
That's why I started doingcomedy comedy.
So be ready for the jokes.
Caregiver newbies, ogs andvillage members just willing to
prop up a caregiver.
You are in the right place.
Hi, this is zeddy.
(01:58):
I hope you enjoy my daughter'spodcast.
Is that okay?
Today's supporter shout out isMiss Jelana Hayes.
She's with the Agreed Program.
Yep, y'all know we still inDetroit and we about to do this
(02:21):
thing.
We about to keep doing thisthing, she says.
I really enjoy what I've seenso far on the podcast.
Listening to the caregiversshare their stories was very
inspirational.
Thank you for creating aplatform where caregivers can
get real information and knowthey're not alone.
Exclamation point.
(02:42):
You know what I'm saying we arenot alone, you're not alone.
I'm not alone, you are notalone.
If you want to receive asupporter, shout out.
Y'all know what to do.
Leave a review.
Apple Podcasts, on YouTube, onIG we are parenting up
everywhere.
(03:03):
Holler at your girl.
We in Detroit.
Detroit, this is our first tourand it's happening in Detroit.
Okay, you just get ready, baby.
You know how they do it up here.
What up though, what up, though?
And this is the day that we arebringing you that fire, that
(03:26):
Detroit fire, woo.
So, wherever you listening,wherever you watching, just get
ready, baby.
Sit down, drink something, sipon something, eat on something,
but be safe.
Today's episode who caregiverscan call Real Life Resources?
What's up?
(03:48):
Parenting Up family?
You see it?
Yes, I am still in the Detroitcity, baby.
I like saying that what upthough, what up though.
This is our third and finalepisode in our Detroit tour
around caregiving.
Okay, right now, this is thething, this is the one.
(04:08):
So what we're talking about onthis particular episode, we are
going knee deep in three veryspecific areas, with
organizations that are on theground in Detroit making it
happen for caregivers like rightnow, already they got resources
for you.
That means code, for you ain'tgot to spend no money.
(04:34):
They already got some stuff andknow how to do some stuff that
you can lean on them.
Okay, doesn't that sound good?
Look at me blessing you forfree.
Come on now.
Who's giving you that kind ofstuff, this dead age people
stealing stuff from you andtaking your taxes, trying to
take social security.
Anyway, that's okay, I'm goingtoo far.
(04:55):
So welcome everybody.
Now.
They're going to tell you in asecond more about they self, but
I'm excited because I now knowwhat some of these acronyms mean
.
So this is.
I'm trying to.
She wants me to be casual withher, but I can't.
This is Dr McNeil.
I call her Dr Detroit.
(05:16):
I'm going to try to call her DrC today, but I'm probably going
to call her Dr Detroit.
Okay, but the one and only sheis here representing Wayne State
.
Specifically, the agreedprogram, y'all, it's a $5
million grant.
I could spend an hour talkingabout how you get a $5 million
grant, but I ain't going to dothat, okay.
(05:36):
And then we have Ashley withthe Alzheimer's Association,
detroit chapter.
Right, I ain't lying, emma.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
I'm telling the truth .
Oh, michigan chapter.
See, I was lying.
But ain't Detroit?
All of Michigan?
That's what Detroit thinks, butthe rest of Michigan as well.
And then Courtney D, triple A.
Shout out to anybody who knowwhat all the A's are in the
right order.
It's like playing a Scrabbleboard on the old school soul
(06:08):
train.
But where the A's go, where theA's at, what's up, courtney?
Speaker 2 (06:13):
What up, though, all right.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
So listen, caregivers are underappreciated.
I'm a caregiver.
I'm going to just tell you whatwe feel most of the time on our
insides Family caregivers whoare unpaid and untrained.
Specifically, we feel unseen,unheard, unappreciated.
But y'all and yourorganizations don't feel that
(06:42):
way.
Y'all love us, y'all appreciateus, y'all got stuff for us to
help us.
Please tell us about it.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
So I'll start with the Geriatric Workforce
Enhancement Program, that's theGWEP in the state of Michigan.
We were the only one in thestate of Michigan funded for
five million dollars to improvethe care that geriatrics receive
in the state of Michigan, andto do that, one of our elements
is to empower our caregivers, sowe actually have continuing
(07:14):
education for them, we havetraining for them, we have
resources like apps and programs, podcasts, programs, podcasts.
We're actually taking programsto these senior apartment
complexes and providing thatright delivery right there where
they live, to help them be moreeducated about falls or
dementia, early detection, whereresources are.
(07:35):
So our particular grant coversthe state of Michigan and we're
compiling all of the caregiverand geriatric specific resources
in one space so that we canthen be able to enrich the
training that we provide for ourcaregivers, our patients, our
providers, everybody to bebetter equipped to care for our
(07:56):
most valuable asset ourgeriatric population.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
I love the old people .
As you said it in a reallyfancy, probably politically
correct way, our most valuableasset are geriatric people.
What I like to say is I love mygrandmama and granddaddy more
than I love my little bittycousins.
That's how I like to say it,you know what I mean Because my
grandparents have been there forme.
I don't know if these littlebitty cousins going to act right
.
You know they cute now.
(08:20):
Two, three, four, five is funto play with them, but when they
get older, are they going to dofor me?
My grandparents have alreadyshown up and showed out, so I
feel like it's my turn and myopportunity to care back for
them.
Something you just said, doc,that really caught my attention
is apps.
All right, so now, if y'allgoing to have apps and stuff,
(08:43):
then that means that the currentgeneration who only likes to
deal in digital and technology,they don't have some help in
caregiving, because it's a wholelot of people out there who are
either having to come home fromcollege, maybe not go to
college, or do college part timebecause they're assisting as a
(09:03):
part of the care village, and Ithink something like apps might
make it easier for them to knowhow to help with the family or
even just to feel a little moreengaged.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
Yes, that is the goal .
So this particular app iscalled the Remember my Elder or
Remember Me app, and so whatthat app does?
It uses AI to identifyresources in your particular
area.
It also allows you to holdhealthcare systems accountable.
So one of the evidence-basedprograms is called the
Age-Friendly Health System andevery time a 65 and older person
(09:36):
enters the healthcare system,they should get a certain type
of care.
And when we're looking atmedications, mentation, mobility
and what matters and all fourof those M's should be addressed
every time you go to see aprovider.
So the app will help you keeptrack of that and even if your
provider doesn't ask you, youcan tell them.
Violent told that you can.
(09:58):
Violent told them to say thisis what's been going on with me
and my mobility, or this iswhat's been going on with me and
my mentation and I want to havea conversation.
So she's a tracker to kind ofhelp that conversation happen a
little better.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
I need a tracker.
Okay for my mama, maybe for metoo.
Hell for all I know.
I know my mama hadn't gottenbut one of them m's.
We ain't got no four m's.
I can tell you that right nowwe have definitely not gotten
four m's.
Thank you so much.
All right, who want to go nextand tell me what a little bit
about what y'all got going onfor resources in Detroit or in
all of Michigan?
There I go again.
(10:29):
Y'all know how it is my badMichigan.
Speaker 4 (10:39):
I can't go.
Yeah, ok.
So yeah, we have our programsteam and what we do is we have
education programs for anyonewho wants to learn any
information about Alzheimer's ordementia.
We have things that goes over.
Some of our topics go overdementia conversations and also
like legal and 10 morning signsand understanding.
(11:04):
So we have like about like 15topics, I would say.
And then also we have supportgroups.
There are support groups allover Michigan.
They can be virtual or inperson, and then they also
they're for caregivers or forpeople in early stage, or
they're also some support groupsfor other types of dementia
(11:25):
that we have.
And I would also say that wehave care consultations.
So we work with master's levelsocial workers.
They're available for familiesfor up to six weeks, for a
family that may want a littlemore guidance on, like, what to
do or how to set up the bestpossible position for their
(11:46):
loved one.
And then also we have socialengagement activities and those
social engagement activitiesinclude, like we have a
partnership with the DetroitOrchestra.
They come out once a month toplay for the loved ones with
Alzheimer's or dementia, and wealso and they also do things
like go to the Henry Ford Museumor the Detroit Zoo, just to
(12:07):
really keep them active in thecommunity.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Detroit is always a party.
I don't know if all the I meanI'm not calling nobody out but I
don't know if I've heard ofother chapters.
You know, partying with theirfolks with dementia.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
But I think that's a great idea.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
I think everybody deserves a party.
Actually, we should just all bepartying more, right?
It probably would just make alot of stress feel like it's
melting off our backs Now withthese things.
Ashley, is there a fee or amembership?
Do you have to be a?
Like?
You got to sign up for theAlzheimer's Association?
You got to pay $5?
What does it take?
Speaker 4 (12:45):
No, all of our programs are free to the
community.
Hello, all you have to do iscall us.
Y'all hear that.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
We giving y'all this good.
Good, it's how many things thatare free and useful free and
useful.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
Keep going, baby.
Oh yeah.
So yeah, they're free to thecommunity.
All you have to do is call ourhelpline, 1-800-272-3900.
I have to memorize that at thispoint, I say it so many times.
But yeah, you can just call thehelpline and they can direct
you anywhere you want.
I know we also are doing like.
One thing I also want tohighlight is the DEI that we're
(13:17):
doing In particular.
We do Jewish outreach, Hispanic, Latino outreach, Me I do
African-American outreach andthen we also do MENA community
outreach.
So we're really trying to reachout to those vulnerable
populations that may not get theinformation and resources.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
They know of them less.
I would say yes, a huge moment,and say thank you to the
Alzheimer's Association forstanding 25,000 toes down in DEI
.
And it is amazing that you evenshare that and bring that up,
(13:58):
because this episode is allabout the longest day and we are
Making sure that it will be apart of that movement of yours.
The longest day for anyone whodoesn't know, it is technically
the summer solstice, which Idon't know which scientists made
(14:19):
that up, but it is the longestday of sunlight on the whole
globe.
But the Alzheimer's Associationdid say that it would be their
biggest marketing fundraisingday of the year, because we're
going to shed light on this darkdisease.
Speaker 4 (14:36):
See, I was listening to one of them webinars.
Speaker 1 (14:40):
And so I know that is something that people can rally
around.
And if you're looking forcommunity as a caregiver within
the Alzheimer's Association,that's a time and a place where
everyone gets together.
Whether you want to do a walkor you want to do crocheting or
something, somebody is doingsomething fun and free.
Fun and free.
(15:01):
We love both of those.
We love both of those.
All right, courtney over there.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
Yes, I'm from the Detroit Area Agency on Aging.
You're right, it's a whole lotof A's Detroit Area Agency on
Aging You're right, it's a wholelot of A's, and we do a whole
lot of work as well.
Our caregiving team is we havea dynamic caregiving team, and
one of the things that I findmost important is that we are a
listening ear.
You can always give us a call.
(15:26):
Our caregiving team is on staff, ready to receive.
Whether you're in a crisis,whether you just need to talk to
somebody, whether you need tofigure out how you're going to
navigate this new role, oryou've been in it for a while
and just don't know theresources available.
Our team is there to help youfigure that out.
(15:47):
Some of the resources that DAAAcan directly provide we allow
you to choose what kind ofrespite care you want to or
which way you want to go.
Whether that's an adult dayprogram, we have some overnight
programs that are available toour caregivers, and we offer
(16:08):
training and education in thoseareas as well.
So you won't be alone when yougo to the doctor.
You'll have either one of ourcaregiver members or you'll have
a script.
You'll have all of thenecessary information that you
need to feel confident as acaregiver to go in and take care
of your loved one.
In addition to that, we provideso much reprieve.
(16:31):
We have events.
We just had hosted ourcaregiver pamper day Wait wait
wait, wait, hold on now.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
I didn't get that invitation.
I could have come up here acouple days early and pamper me
it was beautiful.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
We had a beautiful comedian come in.
Speaker 3 (16:50):
We had a meditation moment.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
We had yoga there, beautiful dj, and we stepped,
because detroit does step okay,that's true.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
Now, where them fans at, where them fans at.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
Okay, and we, had a blast doing that as caregivers
and just taking our minds off of, uh, the role that it is.
Um, some of our caregivers hadto even bring their loved ones
with them and guess what?
We were right there.
You don't have to worry about athing.
We got your mama, we got yourauntie, we're fine, we're over
here.
You go do that, and so that'sjust one of the many ways that
(17:25):
DAAA is supporting ourcaregivers out here.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Okay, now listen, I'm sitting here and I'm listening
to y'all and I feel like everycaregiver at least in Michigan,
okay should be fully fortified.
But obviously at times peoplejust might not be aware.
They may not be aware as muchwork as you all are doing and as
(17:49):
much effort as you have put into supporting the community and
each of your organizations havebeen around for.
When I say a minute, I meany'all didn't start last year,
right?
And for those who know aboutyou, they sing your praises.
But there are others who may beso new to caregiving or to this
(18:11):
space and to this universe thatthey just don't even know where
to start and how to find youlike at all.
So if you could go back just atad to before you were fully
entrenched in this space, whatwould you tell a person like
(18:33):
that?
What's the first thing to do?
To feel welcome?
Or to reach out to one of yourorganizations, like they, their
family member, maybe just failfor the first time.
Or they're thinking about maybegoing to a primary care place
to get a diagnosis, but they'retoo scared to go by themselves.
But and they're like, yeah, Iheard that girl, courtney, say
(18:58):
they would go with me to thedoctor, but my mama, but I don't
even know if I want to take mymom to the doctor and I how the
hell Courtney going to go withme?
You know what I'm saying.
People could have those typesof hesitancies.
What can you offer to help them?
Let their guard down?
Speaker 2 (19:21):
Just to tell them that they're not the only ones.
We are here.
You're going to be in acaregiver space some point in
your life, whether you need it,whether you are it, you're going
to be in that space.
When you find yourself in thatrole, whatever the barriers are,
whatever those feelings thatyou're feeling, just know that
there is someone on the otherend.
Just know that there is thatother helping hand.
(19:41):
A lot of the times we thinkthat there's not, or we think
that I won't be qualified or Iwon't.
You know they don't want tohear my story.
Yes, we do.
We absolutely do.
When you go to pick up thatphone, we're going to be there.
Google us, you know D-triple-A,d-a-a-a, and as soon as you do,
we're going to pop up Soon asyou call, we're going to answer
(20:03):
the phone.
Only thing I can tell you isjust make that step, do it,
don't be afraid.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
That's better than police.
They didn't say it, all right.
So any any federal, city, stateor county funds or resources to
support their organizations,don't don't harm them.
That's me.
All I'm saying is it sounds tome like there's more I can count
(20:33):
on y'all better than the Popos.
Anyway, I'm not about to talkabout the Atlanta Police
Department, so what do you haveto say about that, doc, for
individuals who just may be alittle hesitant because they
literally are so new to thisspace of being a caregiver?
Speaker 3 (20:46):
I think that one of the things I would like to say
is that people have to first ownthat they are caregivers.
I think that that is one of thebarriers.
If you just see yourself, as I'mjust a daughter, doing what a
daughter is supposed to do, whenyou hear DAAA or Alzheimer's
Association say we have thesecaregiver resources, you may not
(21:06):
connect the dots because that'sfor those caregivers, maybe
people that are trained orpeople that that's not for me.
But we're here today as aunified community to say that if
you're providing services for aloved one, a neighbor, anyone
that kind of depends on you foryour assistance, your advice,
(21:27):
your expertise, then you are aresource and to support you are
these other resources here, tokind of help you identify okay,
what do I need now?
And when that changes, okay,what do I need now?
So again, you're not feelinglike you're in a silo and I
think that that's kind of whathappens initially is that people
get into this role and thenthey feel overwhelmed.
(21:47):
They feel like, okay, I'mrecreating the wheel every time
somebody gets into the space,but we have been there enough
and been there in that space along enough where you don't have
to feel like you have torecreate the wheel.
There's resources alreadyestablished in your community.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
I love it and I'm going to say look for anybody
who is.
Uh, for those of you who arehearing us, you can't see these
facial expressions that me andDr Detroit are throwing over
here on court.
We're throwing them hard.
It's a no-look pass from MagicJohnson or from Isaiah Thomas.
(22:23):
I'm going to shout out theDetroit Pistons, Because before
we started recording, we werejust chit-chatting casually and
I was asking if any of these umsisters here on the couch Deus
with me.
We're currently in a caregivingrole and we're just going to
(22:46):
fast forward to the good part.
Courtney, everybody says no andthen Courtney says but I dig a
little deeper, as I've beenknown to do, and Courtney says
well, I mean, I, I did every sooften as a neighbor these late
and she's and I'm shooing myhands off, she's like this is
the neighbor couple I have.
I just do I mean a little bit,so I dig a little more, y'all.
(23:07):
This couple is in theirseventies.
She and her truants madethemselves responsible for
taking care of their trash binsand going over to their house
couple three times a week justto see if they need something.
And then if they do needsomething, they do it, whatever
(23:29):
the something is.
But Courtney is sitting righthere on this couch as involved
as she is, she over theD-Triple-A, she in the
D-Triple-A, neck deep, and stilltold me not 10 minutes ago oh,
I'm not a caregiver.
So listen y'all.
Psychologically for all of usin these United States of
(23:53):
America, on this hill planetearth, we have to go ahead and
acknowledge we're caregiversEven when we're not the primary
giver of care to a person.
You're still a part of thatcaregiver circle, which matters,
(24:15):
and the resources are availableto you Because, as you said, at
some point you may need to domore.
And it does make a differenceif your caregiving load has been
building and building andbuilding over decades and
decades and then when you gethit with the big one, maybe you
don't have the capacity becauseyou haven't been taking care of
(24:40):
yourself, because you've been acaregiver, a little bit, for
neighbors for 12 years and youdidn't even know it.
So, thank you so much.
Now that I want to, I want togo ahead and say thank you for
being such a good team player,for taking that one for me,
courtney.
Speaker 4 (24:55):
She said hustle big time.
Speaker 1 (25:01):
We do hear so much, even within the parenting up
community, from the UnitedStates and abroad, individuals
who say you mentioned thisearlier, dr McNeil, that's the
best I can do for you.
Okay, that, what is what I'msupposed to do.
It's my husband, or it's mychild, or it's my mom or it's my
(25:26):
daddy, even when that otherperson on the end of that
relationship has treated thempoorly.
It's just I'm supposed to, soI'm doing it.
It's very obligatory.
Therefore, they don't wear oraccept that caregiver role
responsibility.
It turns to burnout.
It turns to maybe not the bestlevel of caregiving.
(25:50):
I'll be honest as a caregiver,right, if you're not accepting
of the role and if you're notgetting whatever resources
possible maybe better practicesor communicating with the
doctors, what if you're a shittycaregiver?
Just because you're doing it,just because you're going to
your mama's house, just becauseyou're picking up her medicine,
doesn't mean you're doing itwith love.
Speaker 3 (26:10):
Are you the best person to do that particular
role?
Speaker 1 (26:14):
I'm not pointing at you, y'all, I'm pointing my.
I'm snapping my finger overhere at Dr McNeil, because just
because you're doing it doesn'tmean you should be doing it, OK.
So all of that is to justdigest, first and foremost.
Are you a caregiver, like, justreally sit with yourself, and
we want people to think aboutthat.
Are you a caregiver, like, justreally sit with yourself, and
we want people to think aboutthat?
(26:35):
Are you a caregiver?
Are you providing care andconcern to someone who can't do
it for themselves?
I'll tell you one way to put itIf you stop doing it, would it
make a difference in their life?
Could they do it for themselves?
Is there anyone that's going toautomatically step in and do it
(26:57):
if you stop, or do you have tocall somebody and tap them and
say, hey, this is now yourresponsibility.
Hey, other neighbor, you got togo get the trash cans because
I'm going on vacation.
That means that's yourresponsibility, so you're caring
for that area.
What can you all suggest, astwo caregivers who are in Metro,
(27:25):
detroit, michigan, as hey, thisis how you really get involved
in your community.
Is it best to come to yourwebsites?
Is it best to call for peoplewho may be a little more
trepidatious.
What is literally the bestpoint of entry?
To come to an event, to giveyou a call, go to a website, go
(27:47):
to a clinic, open house, a groupsession, what y'all think?
Speaker 4 (27:54):
I would say it's.
There's a couple of points ofentry depending on how they're
comfortable with.
I think the biggest one I liketo push is our walk at the
Detroit Zoo.
We have it annually, every year, and it's just a place with a
whole bunch of like caregivers.
I think we had like over 3,000people came and it's just a big
(28:15):
support system.
Like you can see people on verydifferent parts of their
journey and it's free toregister, free to attend, Like I
feel like it helps capture howbig this cause is and how
important and how much it isaffecting so many families.
So I think, like if it'ssomething that they're willing
to like try out just to see, Iwould say go there.
(28:38):
If they're a little more, youknow they don't want to.
You know meet too many people.
I would definitely say, likeour helpline is the best way to
like find out information.
Or even if you don't want totalk to a person, like our
website ALZorg is another goodway.
Speaker 1 (28:54):
OK, when is does the walk?
Or you say this annually, ohthis year at the Detroit Zoo.
Speaker 4 (28:59):
It's going to be September 21st.
Speaker 1 (29:00):
OK, so you haven't missed it.
No, all right, there it is,there it is so you haven't
missed it.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
No, all right there, it is there.
It is okay, courtney, for DAAA,you can always reach out to us
via phone, 313-446-4444.
You can visit our website,detroitseniorsolutionorg either.
One of those avenues are bestway to reach out and just come
on out.
You can follow us on oursocials as well.
We have Facebook, youtube andInstagram.
Speaker 1 (29:28):
OK, all right, dr McNeil.
Speaker 3 (29:34):
I would say that, with the Geriatric Workforce
Enhancement Program, our goal isto bring in partners and these
are our partners as well andcollect resources and put them
in one centralized location foryou, so you can go to
agreedagreedwayneedu, you'll besent to Wayne State University,
(29:56):
which is committed to improvingthe care of geriatrics in the
Metro Detroit area as well asthe state of Michigan,
especially with the support ofthis particular funding, and we
are collecting these resourcesand putting them into one space
for you the website, as well asalso the app, as well as also
providing you podcasts,partnerships, so that you can
get this information any whichway you like.
We just want you to get it.
Speaker 1 (30:17):
Okay, whatever you like, whatever you like, I would
shout out that hamburger joint,but since they didn't give a
sponsorship, you're not about toget no free shout out over here
.
But we will say whatever youlike.
That's for the culture.
Speaker 4 (30:29):
You know what I mean.
We're going to always do that.
Speaker 1 (30:33):
Oh, my goodness, this has been such a phenomenal
conversation.
Without even being a residenthere, I already know a few
people who I think is incumbentupon me to make sure that I call
and let them know, like, aboutthe walk hey, how, you need to
get in touch with D-Triple-A,because there's so many
(30:54):
individuals as caregivers whoreally are not ready to turn
that corner into saying, yeah,it's time for me to get involved
with my parent or mygrandparent.
Yes, they are still livingindependently, but I'm starting
to do a little bit more for them.
How can I do that intentionally?
Well, I'm going to say get withthese organizations and they're
(31:20):
going to walk you through thatstuff.
Don't figure it out foryourself.
There's way too many otherpeople who already have it
figured out for you.
So thank you.
Thank you, ladies, so much forbeing here.
Thank you so much for beinghere.
The Snuggle Up what's up?
Parents and all family what up?
Though?
This is our final Snuggle Upfor the Detroit tour.
(31:47):
Oh my God, I had so much funbeing here learning, connecting,
sharing.
I've got some phenomenalexperts here, some very loving
experts.
It matters that you are lovingand knowledgeable if you're
going to be an expert.
That's, in my opinion.
(32:07):
Okay, now to the actual snuggleup.
All right, so we had some, youknow, pretty powerful women here
from DAAA, alzheimer's and theAGREE program.
You know what I took away?
The central snuggle up is theygot your back.
(32:28):
If you are in Detroit oranywhere in Michigan, they
already have the resources mostlikely that you need.
Now let me just say I know, asa caregiver, the first thing and
the only thing we really needor want is a cure.
So don't come at me in my DMs.
(32:51):
They don't have a cure, butresources for caregivers.
Whether you want to know how tobe a caregiver, how to treat
your loved one better, how totake better care of yourself,
how to manage the medicine, howto connect with other caregivers
(33:13):
, they got all that written down.
They got ways for you to go andhave a night off and party and
dance and get the hell out ofhere.
They listed it.
I ain't going to try to lie andtell y'all I remember those
websites or telephone numbers.
But the point is press rewind,whether you're watching this on
(33:36):
video or you're listening to it.
They out here y'all.
You don't have to do this alone.
You should not do it alone.
They in the trenches gettingthis grant money, getting this
funding, getting these donors tomake these pledges in order to
(34:01):
walk this walk with you, man.
Don't make this burden harderthan it has to be.
Lean on them, lean on theseorganizations.
Go ahead and get some lemonadeout them lemons.
All right, I'm your girl, jaySmiles, and you know like I
always say, alzheimer's is heavy, but we ain't got to be what up
(34:23):
though.
Thank you for tuning in.
I mean really, really, really.
Thank you so very much fortuning in, whether you're
watching this on YouTube or ifyou're listening on your
favorite podcast audio platform.
Either way, wherever you are,subscribe, come back.
That's the way you're going'know when we do something next.
(34:45):
Y'all know how it is.
I'm J Smiles.
I might just drop something hotin the middle of the night.
We'll see you next time.
This episode is all about the longest day and we are
making sure that it will be apart of that movement of yours.
The longest day for anyone whodoesn't know, it is technically
the summer solstice, which Idon't know which scientists made
that up, but it is the longestday of sunlight on the whole
(00:23):
globe.
But the Alzheimer's Associationdid say that it would be their
biggest marketing fundraisingday of the year, because we're
going to shed light on this darkdisease.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
You're going to be in a caregiver space some point in
your life, whether you need it,whether you are it, you're
going to be in that space.
When you find yourself in thatrole, whatever the barriers are,
whatever those feelings thatyou're feeling, just know that
there is someone on the otherend.
Just know that there is thatother helping hand.
(00:58):
A lot of the times we thinkthat there's not or we think
that I won't be qualified or Iwon't.
You know they don't want tohear my story.
Yes, we do.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
I think that one of the things I would like to say
is that people have to first ownthat they are caregivers.
I think that that is one of thebarriers.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
Parenting Up.
Caregiving Adventures withcomedian Jay Smiles is the
intense journey of unexpectedlybeing fully responsible for my
mama.
For over a decade I've beenchipping away at the unknown,
advocating for her and pushingAlzheimer's awareness on anyone
and anything with a heartbeat.
(01:37):
Spoiler alert this shit isheavy.
That's why I started doingcomedy comedy.
So be ready for the jokes.
Caregiver newbies, ogs andvillage members just willing to
prop up a caregiver.
You are in the right place.
Hi, this is zeddy.
(01:58):
I hope you enjoy my daughter'spodcast.
Is that okay?
Today's supporter shout out isMiss Jelana Hayes.
She's with the Agreed Program.
Yep, y'all know we still inDetroit and we about to do this
(02:21):
thing.
We about to keep doing thisthing, she says.
I really enjoy what I've seenso far on the podcast.
Listening to the caregiversshare their stories was very
inspirational.
Thank you for creating aplatform where caregivers can
get real information and knowthey're not alone.
Exclamation point.
(02:42):
You know what I'm saying we arenot alone, you're not alone.
I'm not alone, you are notalone.
If you want to receive asupporter, shout out.
Y'all know what to do.
Leave a review.
Apple Podcasts, on YouTube, onIG we are parenting up
everywhere.
(03:03):
Holler at your girl.
We in Detroit.
Detroit, this is our first tourand it's happening in Detroit.
Okay, you just get ready, baby.
You know how they do it up here.
What up though, what up, though?
And this is the day that we arebringing you that fire, that
(03:26):
Detroit fire, woo.
So, wherever you listening,wherever you watching, just get
ready, baby.
Sit down, drink something, sipon something, eat on something,
but be safe.
Today's episode who caregiverscan call Real Life Resources?
What's up?
(03:48):
Parenting Up family?
You see it?
Yes, I am still in the Detroitcity, baby.
I like saying that what upthough, what up though.
This is our third and finalepisode in our Detroit tour
around caregiving.
Okay, right now, this is thething, this is the one.
(04:08):
So what we're talking about onthis particular episode, we are
going knee deep in three veryspecific areas, with
organizations that are on theground in Detroit making it
happen for caregivers like rightnow, already they got resources
for you.
That means code, for you ain'tgot to spend no money.
(04:34):
They already got some stuff andknow how to do some stuff that
you can lean on them.
Okay, doesn't that sound good?
Look at me blessing you forfree.
Come on now.
Who's giving you that kind ofstuff, this dead age people
stealing stuff from you andtaking your taxes, trying to
take social security.
Anyway, that's okay, I'm goingtoo far.
(04:55):
So welcome everybody.
Now.
They're going to tell you in asecond more about they self, but
I'm excited because I now knowwhat some of these acronyms mean
.
So this is.
I'm trying to.
She wants me to be casual withher, but I can't.
This is Dr McNeil.
I call her Dr Detroit.
(05:16):
I'm going to try to call her DrC today, but I'm probably going
to call her Dr Detroit.
Okay, but the one and only sheis here representing Wayne State
.
Specifically, the agreedprogram, y'all, it's a $5
million grant.
I could spend an hour talkingabout how you get a $5 million
grant, but I ain't going to dothat, okay.
(05:36):
And then we have Ashley withthe Alzheimer's Association,
detroit chapter.
Right, I ain't lying, emma.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
I'm telling the truth .
Oh, michigan chapter.
See, I was lying.
But ain't Detroit?
All of Michigan?
That's what Detroit thinks, butthe rest of Michigan as well.
And then Courtney D, triple A.
Shout out to anybody who knowwhat all the A's are in the
right order.
It's like playing a Scrabbleboard on the old school soul
(06:08):
train.
But where the A's go, where theA's at, what's up, courtney?
Speaker 2 (06:13):
What up, though, all right.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
So listen, caregivers are underappreciated.
I'm a caregiver.
I'm going to just tell you whatwe feel most of the time on our
insides Family caregivers whoare unpaid and untrained.
Specifically, we feel unseen,unheard, unappreciated.
But y'all and yourorganizations don't feel that
(06:42):
way.
Y'all love us, y'all appreciateus, y'all got stuff for us to
help us.
Please tell us about it.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
So I'll start with the Geriatric Workforce
Enhancement Program, that's theGWEP in the state of Michigan.
We were the only one in thestate of Michigan funded for
five million dollars to improvethe care that geriatrics receive
in the state of Michigan, andto do that, one of our elements
is to empower our caregivers, sowe actually have continuing
(07:14):
education for them, we havetraining for them, we have
resources like apps and programs, podcasts, programs, podcasts.
We're actually taking programsto these senior apartment
complexes and providing thatright delivery right there where
they live, to help them be moreeducated about falls or
dementia, early detection, whereresources are.
(07:35):
So our particular grant coversthe state of Michigan and we're
compiling all of the caregiverand geriatric specific resources
in one space so that we canthen be able to enrich the
training that we provide for ourcaregivers, our patients, our
providers, everybody to bebetter equipped to care for our
(07:56):
most valuable asset ourgeriatric population.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
I love the old people .
As you said it in a reallyfancy, probably politically
correct way, our most valuableasset are geriatric people.
What I like to say is I love mygrandmama and granddaddy more
than I love my little bittycousins.
That's how I like to say it,you know what I mean Because my
grandparents have been there forme.
I don't know if these littlebitty cousins going to act right
.
You know they cute now.
(08:20):
Two, three, four, five is funto play with them, but when they
get older, are they going to dofor me?
My grandparents have alreadyshown up and showed out, so I
feel like it's my turn and myopportunity to care back for
them.
Something you just said, doc,that really caught my attention
is apps.
All right, so now, if y'allgoing to have apps and stuff,
(08:43):
then that means that the currentgeneration who only likes to
deal in digital and technology,they don't have some help in
caregiving, because it's a wholelot of people out there who are
either having to come home fromcollege, maybe not go to
college, or do college part timebecause they're assisting as a
(09:03):
part of the care village, and Ithink something like apps might
make it easier for them to knowhow to help with the family or
even just to feel a little moreengaged.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
Yes, that is the goal .
So this particular app iscalled the Remember my Elder or
Remember Me app, and so whatthat app does?
It uses AI to identifyresources in your particular
area.
It also allows you to holdhealthcare systems accountable.
So one of the evidence-basedprograms is called the
Age-Friendly Health System andevery time a 65 and older person
(09:36):
enters the healthcare system,they should get a certain type
of care.
And when we're looking atmedications, mentation, mobility
and what matters and all fourof those M's should be addressed
every time you go to see aprovider.
So the app will help you keeptrack of that and even if your
provider doesn't ask you, youcan tell them.
Violent told that you can.
(09:58):
Violent told them to say thisis what's been going on with me
and my mobility, or this iswhat's been going on with me and
my mentation and I want to havea conversation.
So she's a tracker to kind ofhelp that conversation happen a
little better.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
I need a tracker.
Okay for my mama, maybe for metoo.
Hell for all I know.
I know my mama hadn't gottenbut one of them m's.
We ain't got no four m's.
I can tell you that right nowwe have definitely not gotten
four m's.
Thank you so much.
All right, who want to go nextand tell me what a little bit
about what y'all got going onfor resources in Detroit or in
all of Michigan?
There I go again.
(10:29):
Y'all know how it is my badMichigan.
Speaker 4 (10:39):
I can't go.
Yeah, ok.
So yeah, we have our programsteam and what we do is we have
education programs for anyonewho wants to learn any
information about Alzheimer's ordementia.
We have things that goes over.
Some of our topics go overdementia conversations and also
like legal and 10 morning signsand understanding.
(11:04):
So we have like about like 15topics, I would say.
And then also we have supportgroups.
There are support groups allover Michigan.
They can be virtual or inperson, and then they also
they're for caregivers or forpeople in early stage, or
they're also some support groupsfor other types of dementia
(11:25):
that we have.
And I would also say that wehave care consultations.
So we work with master's levelsocial workers.
They're available for familiesfor up to six weeks, for a
family that may want a littlemore guidance on, like, what to
do or how to set up the bestpossible position for their
(11:46):
loved one.
And then also we have socialengagement activities and those
social engagement activitiesinclude, like we have a
partnership with the DetroitOrchestra.
They come out once a month toplay for the loved ones with
Alzheimer's or dementia, and wealso and they also do things
like go to the Henry Ford Museumor the Detroit Zoo, just to
(12:07):
really keep them active in thecommunity.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Detroit is always a party.
I don't know if all the I meanI'm not calling nobody out but I
don't know if I've heard ofother chapters.
You know, partying with theirfolks with dementia.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
But I think that's a great idea.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
I think everybody deserves a party.
Actually, we should just all bepartying more, right?
It probably would just make alot of stress feel like it's
melting off our backs Now withthese things.
Ashley, is there a fee or amembership?
Do you have to be a?
Like?
You got to sign up for theAlzheimer's Association?
You got to pay $5?
What does it take?
Speaker 4 (12:45):
No, all of our programs are free to the
community.
Hello, all you have to do iscall us.
Y'all hear that.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
We giving y'all this good.
Good, it's how many things thatare free and useful free and
useful.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
Keep going, baby.
Oh yeah.
So yeah, they're free to thecommunity.
All you have to do is call ourhelpline, 1-800-272-3900.
I have to memorize that at thispoint, I say it so many times.
But yeah, you can just call thehelpline and they can direct
you anywhere you want.
I know we also are doing like.
One thing I also want tohighlight is the DEI that we're
(13:17):
doing In particular.
We do Jewish outreach, Hispanic, Latino outreach, Me I do
African-American outreach andthen we also do MENA community
outreach.
So we're really trying to reachout to those vulnerable
populations that may not get theinformation and resources.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
They know of them less.
I would say yes, a huge moment,and say thank you to the
Alzheimer's Association forstanding 25,000 toes down in DEI
.
And it is amazing that you evenshare that and bring that up,
(13:58):
because this episode is allabout the longest day and we are
Making sure that it will be apart of that movement of yours.
The longest day for anyone whodoesn't know, it is technically
the summer solstice, which Idon't know which scientists made
(14:19):
that up, but it is the longestday of sunlight on the whole
globe.
But the Alzheimer's Associationdid say that it would be their
biggest marketing fundraisingday of the year, because we're
going to shed light on this darkdisease.
Speaker 4 (14:36):
See, I was listening to one of them webinars.
Speaker 1 (14:40):
And so I know that is something that people can rally
around.
And if you're looking forcommunity as a caregiver within
the Alzheimer's Association,that's a time and a place where
everyone gets together.
Whether you want to do a walkor you want to do crocheting or
something, somebody is doingsomething fun and free.
Fun and free.
(15:01):
We love both of those.
We love both of those.
All right, courtney over there.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
Yes, I'm from the Detroit Area Agency on Aging.
You're right, it's a whole lotof A's Detroit Area Agency on
Aging You're right, it's a wholelot of A's, and we do a whole
lot of work as well.
Our caregiving team is we havea dynamic caregiving team, and
one of the things that I findmost important is that we are a
listening ear.
You can always give us a call.
(15:26):
Our caregiving team is on staff, ready to receive.
Whether you're in a crisis,whether you just need to talk to
somebody, whether you need tofigure out how you're going to
navigate this new role, oryou've been in it for a while
and just don't know theresources available.
Our team is there to help youfigure that out.
(15:47):
Some of the resources that DAAAcan directly provide we allow
you to choose what kind ofrespite care you want to or
which way you want to go.
Whether that's an adult dayprogram, we have some overnight
programs that are available toour caregivers, and we offer
(16:08):
training and education in thoseareas as well.
So you won't be alone when yougo to the doctor.
You'll have either one of ourcaregiver members or you'll have
a script.
You'll have all of thenecessary information that you
need to feel confident as acaregiver to go in and take care
of your loved one.
In addition to that, we provideso much reprieve.
(16:31):
We have events.
We just had hosted ourcaregiver pamper day Wait wait
wait, wait, hold on now.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
I didn't get that invitation.
I could have come up here acouple days early and pamper me
it was beautiful.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
We had a beautiful comedian come in.
Speaker 3 (16:50):
We had a meditation moment.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
We had yoga there, beautiful dj, and we stepped,
because detroit does step okay,that's true.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
Now, where them fans at, where them fans at.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
Okay, and we, had a blast doing that as caregivers
and just taking our minds off of, uh, the role that it is.
Um, some of our caregivers hadto even bring their loved ones
with them and guess what?
We were right there.
You don't have to worry about athing.
We got your mama, we got yourauntie, we're fine, we're over
here.
You go do that, and so that'sjust one of the many ways that
(17:25):
DAAA is supporting ourcaregivers out here.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Okay, now listen, I'm sitting here and I'm listening
to y'all and I feel like everycaregiver at least in Michigan,
okay should be fully fortified.
But obviously at times peoplejust might not be aware.
They may not be aware as muchwork as you all are doing and as
(17:49):
much effort as you have put into supporting the community and
each of your organizations havebeen around for.
When I say a minute, I meany'all didn't start last year,
right?
And for those who know aboutyou, they sing your praises.
But there are others who may beso new to caregiving or to this
(18:11):
space and to this universe thatthey just don't even know where
to start and how to find youlike at all.
So if you could go back just atad to before you were fully
entrenched in this space, whatwould you tell a person like
(18:33):
that?
What's the first thing to do?
To feel welcome?
Or to reach out to one of yourorganizations, like they, their
family member, maybe just failfor the first time.
Or they're thinking about maybegoing to a primary care place
to get a diagnosis, but they'retoo scared to go by themselves.
But and they're like, yeah, Iheard that girl, courtney, say
(18:58):
they would go with me to thedoctor, but my mama, but I don't
even know if I want to take mymom to the doctor and I how the
hell Courtney going to go withme?
You know what I'm saying.
People could have those typesof hesitancies.
What can you offer to help them?
Let their guard down?
Speaker 2 (19:21):
Just to tell them that they're not the only ones.
We are here.
You're going to be in acaregiver space some point in
your life, whether you need it,whether you are it, you're going
to be in that space.
When you find yourself in thatrole, whatever the barriers are,
whatever those feelings thatyou're feeling, just know that
there is someone on the otherend.
Just know that there is thatother helping hand.
(19:41):
A lot of the times we thinkthat there's not, or we think
that I won't be qualified or Iwon't.
You know they don't want tohear my story.
Yes, we do.
We absolutely do.
When you go to pick up thatphone, we're going to be there.
Google us, you know D-triple-A,d-a-a-a, and as soon as you do,
we're going to pop up Soon asyou call, we're going to answer
(20:03):
the phone.
Only thing I can tell you isjust make that step, do it,
don't be afraid.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
That's better than police.
They didn't say it, all right.
So any any federal, city, stateor county funds or resources to
support their organizations,don't don't harm them.
That's me.
All I'm saying is it sounds tome like there's more I can count
(20:33):
on y'all better than the Popos.
Anyway, I'm not about to talkabout the Atlanta Police
Department, so what do you haveto say about that, doc, for
individuals who just may be alittle hesitant because they
literally are so new to thisspace of being a caregiver?
Speaker 3 (20:46):
I think that one of the things I would like to say
is that people have to first ownthat they are caregivers.
I think that that is one of thebarriers.
If you just see yourself, as I'mjust a daughter, doing what a
daughter is supposed to do, whenyou hear DAAA or Alzheimer's
Association say we have thesecaregiver resources, you may not
(21:06):
connect the dots because that'sfor those caregivers, maybe
people that are trained orpeople that that's not for me.
But we're here today as aunified community to say that if
you're providing services for aloved one, a neighbor, anyone
that kind of depends on you foryour assistance, your advice,
(21:27):
your expertise, then you are aresource and to support you are
these other resources here, tokind of help you identify okay,
what do I need now?
And when that changes, okay,what do I need now?
So again, you're not feelinglike you're in a silo and I
think that that's kind of whathappens initially is that people
get into this role and thenthey feel overwhelmed.
(21:47):
They feel like, okay, I'mrecreating the wheel every time
somebody gets into the space,but we have been there enough
and been there in that space along enough where you don't have
to feel like you have torecreate the wheel.
There's resources alreadyestablished in your community.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
I love it and I'm going to say look for anybody
who is.
Uh, for those of you who arehearing us, you can't see these
facial expressions that me andDr Detroit are throwing over
here on court.
We're throwing them hard.
It's a no-look pass from MagicJohnson or from Isaiah Thomas.
(22:23):
I'm going to shout out theDetroit Pistons, Because before
we started recording, we werejust chit-chatting casually and
I was asking if any of these umsisters here on the couch Deus
with me.
We're currently in a caregivingrole and we're just going to
(22:46):
fast forward to the good part.
Courtney, everybody says no andthen Courtney says but I dig a
little deeper, as I've beenknown to do, and Courtney says
well, I mean, I, I did every sooften as a neighbor these late
and she's and I'm shooing myhands off, she's like this is
the neighbor couple I have.
I just do I mean a little bit,so I dig a little more, y'all.
(23:07):
This couple is in theirseventies.
She and her truants madethemselves responsible for
taking care of their trash binsand going over to their house
couple three times a week justto see if they need something.
And then if they do needsomething, they do it, whatever
(23:29):
the something is.
But Courtney is sitting righthere on this couch as involved
as she is, she over theD-Triple-A, she in the
D-Triple-A, neck deep, and stilltold me not 10 minutes ago oh,
I'm not a caregiver.
So listen y'all.
Psychologically for all of usin these United States of
(23:53):
America, on this hill planetearth, we have to go ahead and
acknowledge we're caregiversEven when we're not the primary
giver of care to a person.
You're still a part of thatcaregiver circle, which matters,
(24:15):
and the resources are availableto you Because, as you said, at
some point you may need to domore.
And it does make a differenceif your caregiving load has been
building and building andbuilding over decades and
decades and then when you gethit with the big one, maybe you
don't have the capacity becauseyou haven't been taking care of
(24:40):
yourself, because you've been acaregiver, a little bit, for
neighbors for 12 years and youdidn't even know it.
So, thank you so much.
Now that I want to, I want togo ahead and say thank you for
being such a good team player,for taking that one for me,
courtney.
Speaker 4 (24:55):
She said hustle big time.
Speaker 1 (25:01):
We do hear so much, even within the parenting up
community, from the UnitedStates and abroad, individuals
who say you mentioned thisearlier, dr McNeil, that's the
best I can do for you.
Okay, that, what is what I'msupposed to do.
It's my husband, or it's mychild, or it's my mom or it's my
(25:26):
daddy, even when that otherperson on the end of that
relationship has treated thempoorly.
It's just I'm supposed to, soI'm doing it.
It's very obligatory.
Therefore, they don't wear oraccept that caregiver role
responsibility.
It turns to burnout.
It turns to maybe not the bestlevel of caregiving.
(25:50):
I'll be honest as a caregiver,right, if you're not accepting
of the role and if you're notgetting whatever resources
possible maybe better practicesor communicating with the
doctors, what if you're a shittycaregiver?
Just because you're doing it,just because you're going to
your mama's house, just becauseyou're picking up her medicine,
doesn't mean you're doing itwith love.
Speaker 3 (26:10):
Are you the best person to do that particular
role?
Speaker 1 (26:14):
I'm not pointing at you, y'all, I'm pointing my.
I'm snapping my finger overhere at Dr McNeil, because just
because you're doing it doesn'tmean you should be doing it, OK.
So all of that is to justdigest, first and foremost.
Are you a caregiver, like, justreally sit with yourself, and
we want people to think aboutthat.
Are you a caregiver, like, justreally sit with yourself, and
we want people to think aboutthat?
(26:35):
Are you a caregiver?
Are you providing care andconcern to someone who can't do
it for themselves?
I'll tell you one way to put itIf you stop doing it, would it
make a difference in their life?
Could they do it for themselves?
Is there anyone that's going toautomatically step in and do it
(26:57):
if you stop, or do you have tocall somebody and tap them and
say, hey, this is now yourresponsibility.
Hey, other neighbor, you got togo get the trash cans because
I'm going on vacation.
That means that's yourresponsibility, so you're caring
for that area.
What can you all suggest, astwo caregivers who are in Metro,
(27:25):
detroit, michigan, as hey, thisis how you really get involved
in your community.
Is it best to come to yourwebsites?
Is it best to call for peoplewho may be a little more
trepidatious.
What is literally the bestpoint of entry?
To come to an event, to giveyou a call, go to a website, go
(27:47):
to a clinic, open house, a groupsession, what y'all think?
Speaker 4 (27:54):
I would say it's.
There's a couple of points ofentry depending on how they're
comfortable with.
I think the biggest one I liketo push is our walk at the
Detroit Zoo.
We have it annually, every year, and it's just a place with a
whole bunch of like caregivers.
I think we had like over 3,000people came and it's just a big
(28:15):
support system.
Like you can see people on verydifferent parts of their
journey and it's free toregister, free to attend, Like I
feel like it helps capture howbig this cause is and how
important and how much it isaffecting so many families.
So I think, like if it'ssomething that they're willing
to like try out just to see, Iwould say go there.
(28:38):
If they're a little more, youknow they don't want to.
You know meet too many people.
I would definitely say, likeour helpline is the best way to
like find out information.
Or even if you don't want totalk to a person, like our
website ALZorg is another goodway.
Speaker 1 (28:54):
OK, when is does the walk?
Or you say this annually, ohthis year at the Detroit Zoo.
Speaker 4 (28:59):
It's going to be September 21st.
Speaker 1 (29:00):
OK, so you haven't missed it.
No, all right, there it is,there it is so you haven't
missed it.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
No, all right there, it is there.
It is okay, courtney, for DAAA,you can always reach out to us
via phone, 313-446-4444.
You can visit our website,detroitseniorsolutionorg either.
One of those avenues are bestway to reach out and just come
on out.
You can follow us on oursocials as well.
We have Facebook, youtube andInstagram.
Speaker 1 (29:28):
OK, all right, dr McNeil.
Speaker 3 (29:34):
I would say that, with the Geriatric Workforce
Enhancement Program, our goal isto bring in partners and these
are our partners as well andcollect resources and put them
in one centralized location foryou, so you can go to
agreedagreedwayneedu, you'll besent to Wayne State University,
(29:56):
which is committed to improvingthe care of geriatrics in the
Metro Detroit area as well asthe state of Michigan,
especially with the support ofthis particular funding, and we
are collecting these resourcesand putting them into one space
for you the website, as well asalso the app, as well as also
providing you podcasts,partnerships, so that you can
get this information any whichway you like.
We just want you to get it.
Speaker 1 (30:17):
Okay, whatever you like, whatever you like, I would
shout out that hamburger joint,but since they didn't give a
sponsorship, you're not about toget no free shout out over here
.
But we will say whatever youlike.
That's for the culture.
Speaker 4 (30:29):
You know what I mean.
We're going to always do that.
Speaker 1 (30:33):
Oh, my goodness, this has been such a phenomenal
conversation.
Without even being a residenthere, I already know a few
people who I think is incumbentupon me to make sure that I call
and let them know, like, aboutthe walk hey, how, you need to
get in touch with D-Triple-A,because there's so many
(30:54):
individuals as caregivers whoreally are not ready to turn
that corner into saying, yeah,it's time for me to get involved
with my parent or mygrandparent.
Yes, they are still livingindependently, but I'm starting
to do a little bit more for them.
How can I do that intentionally?
Well, I'm going to say get withthese organizations and they're
(31:20):
going to walk you through thatstuff.
Don't figure it out foryourself.
There's way too many otherpeople who already have it
figured out for you.
So thank you.
Thank you, ladies, so much forbeing here.
Thank you so much for beinghere.
The Snuggle Up what's up?
Parents and all family what up?
Though?
This is our final Snuggle Upfor the Detroit tour.
(31:47):
Oh my God, I had so much funbeing here learning, connecting,
sharing.
I've got some phenomenalexperts here, some very loving
experts.
It matters that you are lovingand knowledgeable if you're
going to be an expert.
That's, in my opinion.
(32:07):
Okay, now to the actual snuggleup.
All right, so we had some, youknow, pretty powerful women here
from DAAA, alzheimer's and theAGREE program.
You know what I took away?
The central snuggle up is theygot your back.
(32:28):
If you are in Detroit oranywhere in Michigan, they
already have the resources mostlikely that you need.
Now let me just say I know, asa caregiver, the first thing and
the only thing we really needor want is a cure.
So don't come at me in my DMs.
(32:51):
They don't have a cure, butresources for caregivers.
Whether you want to know how tobe a caregiver, how to treat
your loved one better, how totake better care of yourself,
how to manage the medicine, howto connect with other caregivers
(33:13):
, they got all that written down.
They got ways for you to go andhave a night off and party and
dance and get the hell out ofhere.
They listed it.
I ain't going to try to lie andtell y'all I remember those
websites or telephone numbers.
But the point is press rewind,whether you're watching this on
(33:36):
video or you're listening to it.
They out here y'all.
You don't have to do this alone.
You should not do it alone.
They in the trenches gettingthis grant money, getting this
funding, getting these donors tomake these pledges in order to
(34:01):
walk this walk with you, man.
Don't make this burden harderthan it has to be.
Lean on them, lean on theseorganizations.
Go ahead and get some lemonadeout them lemons.
All right, I'm your girl, jaySmiles, and you know like I
always say, alzheimer's is heavy, but we ain't got to be what up
(34:23):
though.
Thank you for tuning in.
I mean really, really, really.
Thank you so very much fortuning in, whether you're
watching this on YouTube or ifyou're listening on your
favorite podcast audio platform.
Either way, wherever you are,subscribe, come back.
That's the way you're going'know when we do something next.
(34:45):
Y'all know how it is.
I'm J Smiles.
I might just drop something hotin the middle of the night.
We'll see you next time.
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