The Caregiving Crisis + The Caregiving Journey

A live and interactive discussion with Debbie Howard, author, and caregiver advocate on a mission to change the way the world looks at caregiving so the impacts are not so devastating - to individuals OR to companies. 

Debbie Howard Author The Caregiving Crisis: What it Costs Your Business and How You Can Fix it The Caregiving Journey: Information. Guidance. Inspiration

Home - Aging Matters International (thecaregivingjourney.com)  

Questions Asked

• Is Your Mother still with us? Thank you for sharing your journey and your story
• Are you back here living in US Now?
• Is that Japan or China where they announced in news media that it is against the law not to take care of elderly Parents???
• "I’m 81, have seen a few friends “crash and burn” with sudden events that turned their lives upside down and had to leave their homes with no warning.  THose of us who are the older generation are in deep trouble - no insurance…..etc.many of us are either solo agers or don’t want to burden our children.
•     I’m trying to change some of this in our non profit.         OutStandingLife: a virtual community of LGBTQA+ adults."

Chat Transcript

12:07:02     From  Jose Ramos : We fail to appreciate that here in the U.S. there are older pockets. Puerto Rico's senor population exceeds 36% brought on by youth migrations out of the Island.

12:07:23     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : debbie@thecaregivingcrisis.com

12:23:31     From  Joan Green : Greetings! I’m Joan Green, an online tech advisor/ coach and speech-language pathologist. My mission is to help eldercare providers as well as boomers and older adults to benefit more from technology. Where do you go to figure out how to use your smartphone, smart assistant such as Alexa or Siri, or learn about Google apps to make life easier? I specialize in helping proactive families figure out how to use tech to provide cognitive stimulation, social engagement, and overcoming barriers to communication, reading, writing, and productivity.  All computers, tablets and smartphones offer great features! If you’d like to learn more about an eldertech advisor and teacher cohort that I’ve formed please contact me- Joan@innovativespeech.com. I offer free 15 min phone chats as well as 1:1 tech advising sessions on Zoom. I was recently interviewed by an editor from the Senior Beacon and was pleased to see the article on the front page of the December issue???? https://www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/washington-dc/

12:24:49     From  Cynthia Freeman : The problem is too nothing covers what is really needed and that is non skilled care.  As opposed to skilled care

12:28:35     From  Alison Lynch : Hi Joan,

12:29:21     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : 4) 20-point Planning-for-Caregiving Checklist, getting you started ASAP with getting yourself (and your loved ones!) organized https://www.thecaregivingjourney.com/resources/

12:30:13     From  Alison Lynch : This is a great business, Joan. Congrats on the article.  there is a big need for this. Do you make in person home visits? Do you have a cohort in Baltimore if someone needs 1:1 in person help? Thanks

12:32:41     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : The Caregiving Journey: Information. Guidance. Inspiration. https://www.thecaregivingjourney.com/the-book/

12:36:06     From  Joan Green : Alison- right now I am not making home visits. I work with families on Zoom and can request remote access to help out. I also use a document camera to help show how to configure moblile devices to make them easier to use. I am in the process of creating a credentialing course for a network of tech-savvy colleagues who are skilled at working with older adults. I’d love to see a “tech concierge” available for in-person seniors who are “in the know” of accessibility features, resources for cognitive stimulation, and alternative for people who can’t use computers and cell phones. I may know someone who can help in-person in Baltimore. Feel free to contact me. www.innovativespeech.com.

12:36:13     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : The Caregiving Crisis on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09WPR54KR/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0?asin=B09WPVJD6F&revisionId=&format=4&depth=2

12:36:21     From  Deborah : Any suggested articles about Japan's Age Tec?

12:40:37     From  Joan Green : Even with the best care, families really need to stay involved in taking care of elderly parents. I am totally immersed in the senior care world to help my parents and they live in a terrific assisted living community. Debbie- I couldn’t agree with you more! I also want to give a shoutout to your terrific groups on Clubhouse and all that you share on LinkedIn. https://www.clubhouse.com/@debbiethecarer

12:49:04     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : debbie@thecaregivingcrisis.com

12:50:15     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : I’m 81, have seen a few friends “crash and burn” with sudden events that turned their lives upside down and had to leave their homes with no warning.  THose of us who are the older generation are in deep trouble - no insurance…..etc.many of us are either solo agers or don’t want to burden our children.

    I’m trying to change some of this in our non profit.         OutStandingLife: a virtual community of LGBTQA+ adults

12:52:28     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : A Virtual Community of LGBTQ+ Older Adults https://www.outstandinglife.org/about-us

12:53:26     From  emily kearns : GREAT work, Debbie! TY! Check out the dementia friendly social movement that is reframing living with dementia as living with a disability - to help people get resources, plan, and look at being proactive about supporting ourselves and loved ones.  www.dfa.org

12:53:48     From  emily kearns : Dementia Friendly is global!

12:54:29     From  Patience Egwuogu : This is very helpful

12:55:28     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Dementia Friendly America (DFA) https://www.dfamerica.org/

12:56:01     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : https://www.clubhouse.com/@debbiethecarer

12:56:56     From  Alison Lynch : thank you Joan. adding you to my contact list☺️

12:56:59     From  Joan Green : Steve and Debbie- I’m so glad that you are connecting with each other. You’ve both gathered together so many great resources for elder care providers!

12:58:54     From  ABIOLA BAJERE : Thank you Steve and Debbie, valuable information.

13:00:33     From  emily kearns : I don't see the Journey book on Amazon any longer. Where can we get it? Link, please? TY!

13:00:44     From  Patience Egwuogu : Thank you so much Debbie and Steve for the insight

13:01:00     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Here is the Caregiver Journey page https://www.thecaregivingjourney.com/the-book/

13:01:32     From  Deborah : Great presentation and useful resources.

13:02:26     From  Joan Green : Thanks! This was great.