Caring Better & Braver

Social isolation and loneliness are widespread. More than 1/3 of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely. Nearly 1/4 of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated. This can have a huge impact on a person's physical and mental health, quality of life, and longevity. Shayna Schertz, Wellness Education Specialist at Gundersen Health System and member of the Wisconsin Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness, tells us more about these issues, how to recognize the signs, and how to help yourself or someone else.

The STAR Center provides all people in the La Crosse area therapeutic and adaptive recreation programs that support overall health and the best possible quality of life. Programs are open to youth, adults and seniors. Join us to hear more from Bri Colton, STAR Center program coordinator and facilitator.

Hear the stories of three working caregivers from Wisconsin.  How do they manage their full-time jobs while caring for their loved ones without losing sleep, missing work, and making difficult choices?  It's not easy.  The challenges that working caregivers face have an impact on their employers as well in terms of productivity, retention and recruitment.  Understanding what it's like for family caregivers to have this dual role is the first step toward finding a mutual solution.     

November is National Family Caregiver Month!  It's time to celebrate the millions of family caregivers across the nation.

One way we can celebrate is by supporting our caregivers with the resources they need to access respite and make their jobs just a little bit easier.  This bonus mini episode provides information about the National Family Caregiver Support Program and the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Family Caregiver Support Program.  

Take this Medicare 101 session with Elder Benefit Specialist Tina Johnson at the ADRC of La Crosse County.  Learn the basics of Medicare, things to consider including how to avoid being spoofed by websites and junk mail.   

We talk respite care with Rachel Watkins-Peterson, Project Manager at the Respite Care Association of Wisconsin (RCAW).  RCAW is a non-profit organization that serves the state of Wisconsin with a mission to promote, support and expand quality, statewide respite care across the lifespan.  Learn about respite grants, respite provider training, online resources and virtual activities that all aim to support family caregivers. 

Visit RCAW online: www.respitecarewi.org 

In this episode we explore the caregiver's experience with stress, burnout and compassion fatigue.  We discover ways we can be brave and develop compassion resilience with Heather Quackenboss, a Human Development and Relationship Educator at UW Extension La Crosse County.

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In this episode we learn about Tai Chi, an ancient practice of graceful, gentle movement and meditation.  We meet with retired physical therapist and local instructor, Marsha Bateman, who tells us all about the numerous health benefits of practicing Tai Chi and how caregivers can use what they learn from Tai Chi to improve their daily lives.  

Whether you're looking for yourself, your family member or a friend, your local Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is the first place to go to get accurate, unbiased information on issues related to aging or living with a disability.   

Visit the ADRC of La Crosse County online: www.lacrossecounty.org/adrc 

In this episode we continue conversations about respite care.  We interview Patty Roberts, Director of the Merit Centre adult day service program.  Adult day center-based programming is a common respite option for caregivers.  Merit Centre is for older adults and adults with disabilities who are looking for opportunities to interact and socialize with peers in a supportive, safe and supervised environment.    

Visit Merit Centre online: www.bsjcorp.com/community-programs/

In this episode we discuss respite care and why it's so important for caregivers to get a break.  We interview Sara Wrobel, Executive Director of Causeway Caregivers to learn about their community-based respite program called Oasis.  Oasis is for individuals with mild to moderate dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other brain-related impairments.  

Visit Oasis Respite online: www.oasisrespite.org

Welcome to Caring Better & Braver, a podcast for family caregivers in Wisconsin and the La Crosse County area.  This podcast is meant to help caregivers feel informed, connected, supported and recognized.  It will highlight a variety of local resources, personal stories, tips and tricks, tidbits and education about issues related to caregiving.  This is an amateur production created by Jenna Juve and sponsored by the Aging & Disability Resource Center of La Crosse County.