In this all new CGS, Jennifer and Steve talk about the different styles of caregiving, according to a scientific study. Also, learn about their daughter's big news and Nana's conversation while she slept. Mentioned in the episode: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3146804/ To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/tex…

In this all new Caregiving Gen X Style, Jennifer and Steve discuss the ins and outs of ALFs -- what they are, what they aren't, and how to select one. Also, Steve gives a strong warning to avoid a particular business. To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221 Twitter: https://twitter.com/genxcaregiving Faceboo…

In this "bonus" episode (which was planned at the last minute) Jennifer and Steve wrap up loose ends with information about Nana's big move to her new assisted living, and also preview the episodes coming up this summer. PLUS, by demand (Jennifer's demand) we present to you outtakes and bloopers! To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com …

In this episode of Caregiving Gen X Style, Jennifer and Steve tackle another question from a listener, and welcome back to the show neuropsychologist Dr. Mitch Clionsky to provide answers. Discussed in the episode are why some loved ones with dementia sometimes suddenly forget how to perform tasks they've known how to do for a while, and also why D…

In this all new episode of Caregiving Gen X Style, Jennifer and Steve talk about the things that could go wrong in your caregiving journey, and how to prepare for them. Also, hear about Gagi (inadvertently?) using young-people slang, and about how the last month or so has been one of the hardest in Steve's journey. To contact us: Email: caregivingg…

No matter how healthy your loved one is, there's a good chance that they'll land in the hospital at some point. In this brand new Caregiving Gen X Style, Jennifer and Steve talk about how you we can be the best hospital caregivers we can be. Also, learn why Jennifer suggested removing Gagi's feet, and why Steve was setting up playdates for Nana. To…

In this episode of CGS, Jennifer and Steve talk with Christoph Sisson, host of the podcast "Living with Alzheimer's with Christoph and Ginger." Christoph tells us about caregiving for his mother, Ginger, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease nearly five years ago. Also, learn about Gagi's recent success and what happens when Steve suggests he'…

Based on a listener question, Jennifer and Steve provide tips for those unsung heroes, the secondary caregivers. Plus, a medical procedure for Gagi that forced some together time for her and Jennifer, and an update on Nana's progress recovering from her recent hospitalization. To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-…

In this episode of Caregiving Gen X Style, Jennifer and Steve run down the standard people you'll come across in facilities like nursing homes, skilled nursing, and assisted living facilities. With a nod to Dr. Seuss, these are the People You'll Meet. To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221 Twitter: https://…

In this all new CGS, Jennifer and Steve reach into their mailbag and read great listener tips and feedback on the show. Also, learn about Gagi's big day and Nana's scary hospitalization. To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221 Twitter: https://twitter.com/genxcaregiving Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/car…

In this episode of CGS, Jennifer and Steve talk with Staci B, a woman who has been a caregiver for more than a decade and has come up with a list of things she'd known before taking the job. Links mentioned in this episode: stacib.com To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221 Twitter: https://twitter.com/genxc…

In this all new episode of Caregiving Gen X Style, Jennifer and Steve talk with podcaster and personal finance adviser Dalene Higgins about how to avoid going broke while taking care of your elderly parent. Also, learn about Gagi's freight train snoring and how Nana "almost" remembered where her blanket came from. Links mentioned in this episode: W…

In this latest Caregiving Gen X Style, Jennifer and Steve discuss emergencies -- specifically what constitutes an emergency, what doesn't, and when you should get involved. Plus, we have a listener email and you'll hear about some great news for Nana! To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221 Twitter: https://…

Should we help keep our "caregivees" up to date on current events, even if they don't show a lot of interest in doing so? Jennifer and Steve (both former journalists) debate the pros and cons, and give advice for how to help your elderly loved one "stay in the know." ALSO, we address a listener text from "Brad." To contact us: Email: caregivinggenx…

Physical therapy is both common and necessary for elderly individuals. In this episode, Jennifer and Steve interview physical therapist Dr. Julie Brauer about what she does and how we, as caregivers, can work work PT professionals to make their lives easier. Plus, find out the weird place where Nana's missing sock was found! To contact us: Email: c…

Remember your first day of school, when you didn't know anyone, didn't know how to get to the cafeteria, and couldn't even find the bathroom? That's what it's like for your loved one on their first day in a new environment. In this episode, Jennifer and Steve talk about what you can do for them on that first day to make it feel more comfortable. Al…

In this episode, Jennifer and Steve interview Dr. Mitch Clionsky, a neuropsychologist with 45 years experience evaluating individuals for dementia. He's also a former caregiver for a loved one with the disease. They talk about dementia and how you, as the caregiver, can deal with it. Links mentioned in this episode: Dementia Prevention: Using Your …

Happy birthday to CGS! On November 1, 2022, we published our first episode. With this episode coming out on October 31, 2023, we decided to celebrate! In this special episode, Jennifer and Steve look back on their favorite episodes of the first year, preview the next year, and gift the gift of bloopers and outtakes to everyone. To contact us: Email…

How can you tell you're in the "Good Old Days" before you've left them? In this episode, Jennifer and Steve discuss how you can determine if you've reached the caregiving good old days, meaning everything in your caregiving life is just working. They'll also discuss what you should do when you're in this golden time. To contact us: Email: caregivin…

Your loved one's family memories go back much farther than yours, so it's a good idea to preserve them while you still can. In this episode, Jennifer and Steve talk with a guest about the value of video autobiographies, how you can use them to preserve those memories, and even how you make one yourself. Free offer of interview questions: https://so…

In this latest CGS, Jennifer and Steve tackle a listener email question about family communications, and Gagi makes a surprise appearance! Link mentioned in this episode: https://www.deadparentswhatnow.com/ To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221 Twitter: https://twitter.com/genxcaregiving Facebook: https://…

Conversations about your loved one's passing are typically something you like to avoid, but they are critical to ensure their wishes are met. In this episode, Jennifer and Steve welcome to the show guest Amy Stein-Milford from DOROT, a New York City-based nonprofit that has a goal of improving the lives of the elderly. Amy talks about how to get th…

Hospitals can be confusing, but it's a near certainty that caregivers will spend time there with their loved ones. In this episode, Jennifer and Steve interview a very special guest who is a hospital employee and future RN (spoiler alert: she's also their daughter) about how hospitals work and how family members can work with the nursing staff. Mor…

In the 20th full episode (not counting the trailer) of Caregiving Gen X Style, Jennifer and Steve talk about something critical for caregivers -- taking care of themselves while taking care of their loved one. To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221 Twitter: https://twitter.com/genxcaregiving Facebook: https…

CGS is back with the first of our once-per-month summer episodes! In this show, Jennifer and Steve talk about a lesson given to Gen X by Mr. Miyagi from the movie The Karate Kid -- that it's important to achieve balance. In this case, we're talking about balancing your caregiving life with the rest of your life. To contact us: Email: caregivinggenx…

Due to an illness we don't have a full episode this week, but we took the time to preview what we're doing this summer plus we gave our listeners the gift of bloopers and outtakes! To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221 Twitter: https://twitter.com/genxcaregiving Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caregivin…

Guilt is a sign that you care, because if you didn't give a hoot then you wouldn't bother feeling guilty. Caregiver guilt is no exception to this, and it's something all of us who care for our parents deal with at some point or another. In this new episode, Jennifer and Steve go on a guilt trip. To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com V…

In this episode, Jennifer and Steve tackle three shorter topics: problems with secondary caregivers, caregiving versus caretaking, and toxic positivity. To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221 Twitter: https://twitter.com/genxcaregiving Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caregivinggenxstyle/…

Caregiving is hard. No one who has ever taken care of another human being will disagree with that statement. In this new episode, Jennifer and Steve talk about the people who can be your caregiving helpers. To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221 Twitter: https://twitter.com/genxcaregiving Facebook: https://…

The elderly parents we GenXers care for are all so very different, but one of the nearly universal things they deal with is loss of control. In this episode, Jennifer and Steve tackle the problem and provide some advice on how to mitigate it. To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221 Twitter: https://twitter.c…

When tech devices and older folks collide, frustration can begin. We wanted to call this episode, "Technology is a double-edged sword, and sometimes you want to jab it into your head" but that seemed too long. Listen as Jennifer and Steve discuss some of the frustrations that technology has bought to their caregiving lives, and what they've done ab…

In this episode, Jennifer and Steve tackle the difficult subject of what to do when you feel like your elderly parent has been wronged. They give examples of a situation when they lost the battle, when they won the battle, and when advocacy just made things awkward. To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221 Tw…

In this second part of our two-part series on cleaning out your elderly loved one's home to move them elsewhere, we talk with our guest, Meredith McNamee from Legacy Estate Sales. We laugh, we cry (well, Jennifer does) and we learn more about what it takes to completely empty a home. Legacy Estate Sales: https://www.estatesales.net/companies/VA/Ric…

Alternately called "The Day of the 47 Pairs of Pants," this is the first of a two-part episode on the nightmare that is cleaning out your loved one's home in order to move them to a facility or to your home. In this first part, we talk about how to sort through all of their stuff in order to determine what will come with your loved one, and how to …

The words "hospital food" don't exactly bring to mind the idea of a culinary masterpiece, and for good reason. In this episode, Jennifer and Steve discuss the questionable food your loved one may be served in all of the different facilities where they might stay, and what you can do about it. To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voic…

In this episode, Steve and Jennifer tell the story of an "incident" with Steve's mom that taught them more lessons than they could have imagined, including why you shouldn't trust Life Alert. To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221 Twitter: https://twitter.com/genxcaregiving Facebook: https://www.facebook.co…

Steve and Jennifer discuss how lessons learned in child rearing come in very handy when caring for elderly parents, including realizing people will be mean, things are scary, and assisted living facilities are basically high school for old people. Links mentioned in this episode: https://www.amazon.com/Really-Need-Know-Learned-Kindergarten/dp/03454…

In an episode inspired by a listener email, we talk with medical social worker Robin Hollar about how to take care of your loved one from a distance. Links mentioned in this episode: Eldercare Locator https://eldercare.acl.gov/ Aging Life Care Association https://www.aginglifecare.org/ National Family Caregivers Association (now Caregivers Action N…

We usually publish new episodes every other Tuesday, but this one is a special bonus episode! In it, we talk about how to help make the holidays better for your elderly loved one, AND we have a holiday gift for all of our listeners - bloopers and outtakes! Jennifer is really excited about it too! Our regularly scheduled next episode will publish ne…

There are a LOT of different places your loved one could reside during your caregiving journey. Jennifer and Steve talk about a variety of them, and give advice on each. Also, Steve tells the story of when there was "almost" an old lady slap fight in his mother's assisted living. Join us every other Tuesday for new episodes! To contact us: Email: c…

In this third episode of Caregiving Gen X Style, Jennifer and Steve talk about how selecting a facility for your loved one is very similar to picking out a college. They also start a new segment called, "How's your mom?" Join us every other Tuesday for new episodes! To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221 Tw…

In this episode, hosts Jennifer and Steve Mullen discuss the many different types of caregivers. We hope you'll continue joining us every other Tuesday for new episodes! To contact us: Email: caregivinggenxstyle@gmail.com Voicemail/text: 804-723-1221 Twitter: https://twitter.com/genxcaregiving Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caregivinggenxstyle/…

NOTE: We had some sound issues in this episode, which have been fixed for episode two and beyond. Welcome to the premier episode of Caregiving Gen X Style. In this episode, hosts Jennifer and Steve Mullen introduce themselves and tell a bit about their caregiving journey. Thanks for joining us on this ride, and check back every other Tuesday for ne…

This is a teaser episode for the all-new podcast series Caregiving Gen X Style, which will publish new episodes twice each month. Hosts Jennifer and Steve Mullen are both GenXers navigating taking care of aging parents while also taking care of kids. Our generation is truly the sandwich generation now, and we're all being squished in the middle of …