Elderspeak is way of talking to older adults that sounds like baby talk. Examples include using terms like Honey, Sweetie, and Dearie. Fran and Sue share stories, examples and the harm done by elderspeak. This is a production of Habanero Media.
Jun 17, 2025•30 min•Ep. 53
What to Expect When Moving Into Assisted Living #52 Moving to an assisted living facility can be a big transition. In this episode Fran and Sue share advice on how to ensure a smooth and comfortable move. First it's essential caregivers pack wisely and bring along essential items that will help the new resident easily settle into their new home. From personal belongings to practical necessities, this episode covers all bases when moving. This is a production of Habanero Media....
May 30, 2025•31 min
How to Advocate Health Care For Loved Ones #51 Get up, stand up, stand up for your loved one's health rights. In this episode Fran and Sue share advice on how to move beuracracies and persuade fearful staff to provide the best healthcare for your loved ones. This is a production of Habanero Media.
Apr 21, 2025•35 min
Senior Living Options #50 In this episode Fran and Sue answer questions from their podcast producer Pat Helmers regarding the various options available for Senior Living. This is a production of Habanero Media.
Apr 01, 2025•37 min
In this episode Fran and Sue discuss a touchy topic for the elderly; blended marriages. When a new spouse is significantly older, it raises the chances of them getting ill or passing before the other, and conflict with the spouse's children. These kinds of hazards need to be considered. Give it a listen. This is a production of Habanero Media.
Oct 07, 2024•26 min
Care Plans: What When and Where #48 In this episode Sue and Fran discuss the need to have a plan of care for family members. Care Plans contain objective goals, strategies, and outcomes commonly reviewed quarterly for skilled care nursing homes or yearly for assisted living homes. Care Plans ensure accountability and should be considered a must. Listen here to learn more. This is a production of Habanero Media.
Sep 16, 2024•23 min
Pets and Older Adults #47 Pets are great. But do they make sense for order adults who struggle to take care of themselves? Fran and Sue discuss the challenges and rewards. Caregiver Life with Dignity Podcast Sue Salach-Cutler and Fran Piekarski co-host on the challenges caregivers face when helping their loved ones. Each episode is committed to ensuring caregivers, and those they care for, live a life with dignity, no matter their mental or physical state. Fran and Sue advocate for listeners in ...
Aug 14, 2024•22 min
Transitioning Into Assisted Living with Anne Marie Davidson #46 In this episode, Anne Marie Davidson visits Sue and Fran for a discussion on the challenge aging adults face regarding their needs and preferences for retirement living. There are many housing options from which to choose. In this conversation, Anne Marie considers care options, lifestyle choices, financial, and geographic considerations. This is a production of Habanero Media....
Jun 19, 2024•24 min
Why Caregivers Must Advocate For Themselves #45 In this episode, Fran and Sue talk about why it's crucial to stand up for yourself, especially for caregivers who face a lot of responsibility. Caregivers often overlook their own needs, whether it's about time, energy, or medical expenses. Sue shares a dramatic story about an accident involving her and her husband, and how they advocated for themselves in terms of care and expenses. Tune in today to hear more. This is a production of Habanero Medi...
May 15, 2024•24 min
Why Setting Boundaries Is Essential to Care Giving In this conversation, Fran and Sue highlight how important it is for caregivers to set boundaries. Caregivers have many responsibilities, which can take up a lot of their time, money, and emotional energy. To stay strong and healthy, it's crucial for caregivers to establish clear limits. They'll discuss how caregivers can do this in today's episode. This is a production of Habanero Media....
Apr 30, 2024•25 min
How To Know if Your Lifestyle is a Fit for the Future In this episode Sue and Fran challenge the listeners to reflect on their current lifestyle and assess if it's still a good fit for the future. Does your home ownership and current social circles still make sense? That's the topic for today. Caregiver Life with Dignity Podcast Sue Salach-Cutler and Fran Piekarski co-host on the challenges caregivers face when helping their loved ones. Each episode is committed to ensuring caregivers, and those...
Feb 23, 2024•25 min
Celebrating the Holidays While Caregiving With the holidays upon us, it's a moment for caregivers to pause, reflect,t and take advantage of the opportunity to spend quality time with family, and friends while making special the time spent with those we care for. Fran and Sue share advice that any caregiver will find value during the holiday bustle. This is a production of Habanero Media
Dec 16, 2023•25 min
Family Dynamics - How to Avoid Drama Drama is often hard to avoid when a family is stressed with sickness and disease. Fran and Sue delve into this challenge with advice, rules, and stories of how to best deal with and avoid families hurting the ones they love most. This is a production of Habanero Media
Oct 13, 2023•26 min
How To Recognize the Right Level of Care Have you ever wondered how to determine the level of care that your family member needs; where they should be cared for and how long? That's the topic Fran and Sue discuss in this episode. This is a production of Habanero Media.
Sep 19, 2023•20 min
Adult Services with Margo Vesely In this episode, Fran and Sue interview Margo Vesely who shares her life journey into adult services, and then they discuss various caregiving opportunities available for the community. This is a production of Habanero Media .
Aug 02, 2023•37 min
Strategies for Moving Your Loved Ones #38 Caring for an elderly loved one and moving them to a new home can be a challenging task. Start with a plan: Develop a detailed plan for the move, including a timeline, budget, and a list of tasks that need to be accomplished. Identify any specific needs or preferences your elderly loved one may have regarding their new home. Communicate: Keep open lines of communication with your elderly loved one throughout the process. Include them in decision-making a...
Mar 14, 2023•27 min
Special Needs Trusts with Nancy Roach In this episode Sue and Fran invite guest Nancy Roach to visit and speak about the challenges of Special Needs Trusts and their ability to create financial stability.
Mar 09, 2023•20 min
Shoulda Woulda Coulda Caregiving Advice In this episode Sue asks Fran who asks Sue about caregiving advice that arrived from personal experiences caring for loved ones, and those they've discovered in their consulting profession. Don't bemoan with shoulda woulda coulda but be proactive with these many great takeaways. This is a production of Habanero Media
Oct 12, 2022•30 min
The Ins and Outs of Having and Being a Power of Attorney In this episode Fran and Sue discuss Powers of attorney and ask the question, do you really know what you're signing up for. Both types of Powers of Attorney are discussed: Property and for Healthcare. The episodes delves into what to consider when becoming a Power of Attorney and your rights when you choose a Power of Attorney. This is a production of Habanero Media
Sep 08, 2022•30 min
Understanding Medicare with Medicare Mike Rice What are the basics? Medicare is a complex program and can sometimes be confusing. · What are your coverage options? · Should you enroll in Part D? · How much does Medicare Part B cost? · What does Original Medicare cost? · Is there help for me if I can't afford Medicare? Fran and Sue chat with Mike Rice about all things Medicare. This is a production of Habanero Media
Aug 01, 2022•24 min
How To Place Your Loved One In A Nursing Facility In this episode Sue and Fran discuss about the decision making process of choosing a skilled nursing facility (Nursing Home) for your loved one. There are many issues to consider including services, price, staffing, cleanliness, and others. Don't choose the first place you visit! Instead visit many and ask the questions shared in this episode. This is production of Habanero Media.
Jun 22, 2022•32 min
Five Things We Take For Granted You Need to Know In this episode Fran and Sue discuss five things they take for granted, but understand not everyone knows. The topics include: What words to use that help caregivers The impact of masks on cognition Your right to choose Distinctions of terms for home health care Where you can go to get support This is a production of Habanero Media https://habaneromedia.net...
Jun 07, 2022•38 min
Caregiving with Cannabis Products with Mr. CBD In this episode Fran interviews Mr. CBD Chicago about the benefits of CBD and Cannabis THC products. The conversation discusses the cannabinoid system, it's effect on homeostasis, various cannabis products from smoking flower, to vaping, to edibles and tinctures. This is a production of https://habaneromedia.net
May 18, 2022•33 min
This is the second part of a series on hoarding. Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs. Sue asks Fran about her experiences working with hoarders. This is a production of Habanero Media
Apr 13, 2022•26 min
Hoarding and Steps You Can Take to Help Part 1 Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs. Sue asks Fran about her experiences working with hoarders. This is a complex topic and will include a second part. This is a production of Habanero Media...
Mar 29, 2022•23 min
Understanding Dementia in a Loved One Part 2 with Dr. Jennifer Stelter This is the second part of our Dementia conversation. Caring for someone living with advanced Alzheimer disease is a challenge. It can make you feel like you're on a hamster wheel—running in circles, trying the same things over and over with no effect on your loved one. You may also find it difficult to connect with your loved one and to understand what those living with Alzheimer disease are going through. In The Busy Caregi...
Mar 14, 2022•28 min
Understanding Dementia in a Loved One with Dr. Jennifer Stelter
Feb 17, 2022•37 min
Understanding Grief with Rev. Paul Cutler Holidays are a tough time when you've lost a loved one. How can you navigate Christmas and New Years when the loss is ever present? Guest Rev. Paul Cutler shares his thoughts and advice for those suffering with grief. Find our website Life With Dignity This is a production of Habanero Media
Dec 14, 2021•33 min
How to Hire a Caregiver In this episode Fran and Sue share advice on how to interview and choose a caregiver for your loved one. They explain what you can expect, what's important and what's not important when bringing a stranger into your loved one's home. This is a production of Habanero Media
Nov 08, 2021•31 min
Join the Life with Dignity Team for an outdoor Fiesta! Enjoy Mexican cuisine and margaritas from the taco truck and catch up face to face with other referral sources and peers. Last Thursday, September 16th from 3-6pm 250 business companions were invited to have tacos at the World headquarters in St. Charles IL. It's our way of saying thank you for all you do to support others in both your work and everyday life. This is a production of Habanero Media....
Sep 20, 2021•12 min