Alzheimer’s disease impacts millions of families, and the fight for better care and a cure continues. In Florida, 580,000 individuals are living with Alzheimer’s, and 840,000 are providing unpaid care to their loved ones. The toll is profound and far-reaching. This week, over 100 advocates from across Florida will gather at the Capitol for the 2025 Rally In Tally — an impactful event focused on raising awareness, pushing for policy changes, and advocating for those affected by Alzheimer's. On this LIVE discussion, I was joined by Jennifer Braisted, Director of Government Affairs at the Alzheimer’s Association | State of Florida, and CherylAnn Haley, Positive Approach to Care Independent Certified Coach & Caregiver Advocate.
Listen as we dived into the 2025 Rally in Tallahassee, explored the critical issues impacting those affected by Alzheimer’s, and discussed how advocates are driving change here in Florida.
In this episode, we're talking about the Big Bend Hospice's Inaugural Partnership Caregiver Conference, a groundbreaking event designed to provide valuable resources and support for African American caregivers. Caregivers face unique challenges, including chronic stress and health disparities, which can have serious impacts on their well-being. But Big Bend Hospice is stepping in with compassionate care and vital support, connecting caregivers with healthcare professionals and organizations that are committed to improving care and overall quality of life. In collaboration with The Acts II Project and The Alzheimer’s Project, this conference, titled, “Caring with Heart: Support for Hospice and Alzheimer’s Families,” aims to address these challenges head-on, offering insights, resources, and a supportive community for those who need it most. Whether you’re a caregiver yourself or simply someone who wants to learn more about the work being done to support these unsung heroes, this episode will leave you informed, empowered, and connected to essential tools for navigating the caregiving journey.
In this episode, we explore the transformative work of the Big Bend Area Health Education Center (BBAHEC), a non-profit organization founded in 1995 with the mission of improving community health through education and collaboration. Serving 14 counties in the Florida Panhandle, including Taylor, Madison, Jefferson, Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla, Franklin, Gulf, Bay, Calhoun, Liberty, Jackson, Washington, and Holmes Counties, BBAHEC is committed to building thriving, kind, and equitable communities by empowering individuals with the resources they need to achieve optimal health.I am joined by Yolanda Gillette-Carlson, the Outreach Manager/Bilingual Health Educator, who shares the details of BBAHEC’s diverse, free programs, which include diabetes education, tobacco cessation, chronic disease self-management, nutrition education, community fitness classes, and breast cancer education. Additionally, the center offers health insurance navigation services, biometric health screenings, and scholarships for healthcare students. The discussion highlights how BBAHEC’s programs are not only addressing health disparities but also creating lasting positive change across rural and underserved areas.Tune in for an inspiring conversation on how BBAHEC is fostering healthier communities and helping individuals take charge of their well-being across the Florida Panhandle.
In this episode of the My Favorite Girl Caregivers Corner, I welcome a special guest, Savannah Lanza, the CEO of the Kidney Foundation of Florida, to discuss the 2025 Tallahassee Kidney Walk. Tune in as we talk about the significance of the event and how you can get involved. Savannah also shares details on how the Kidney Foundation is working to raise awareness, promote kidney health, and raise funds for research and patient support. Whether you're someone affected by kidney disease, a caregiver, or simply interested in getting involved, this episode offers valuable information and inspiration.Don't miss out on this heartwarming and informative discussion, as we gear up for an event that brings the community together for a great cause!
In this enlightening episode, we dive into the transformative power of music and its profound impact on emotional and mental wellness. Special guest Kristin Spengler, a certified music therapist and Contractor at Healing Hearts Music Therapy, shares her expertise on how music therapy can help individuals process emotions, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being. From healing trauma to managing anxiety, Kristin reveals how the therapeutic use of music can support mental health in ways words alone cannot. Join us as we explore the healing potential of melody, rhythm, and sound, and discover how music can truly be a path to emotional healing.
In this episode, I dive deep into the importance of "respite care" for caregivers. Join me for an insightful conversation with Latasha Davis and Melissa Ward, the owners of Wisdom Adult Day Care Services, LLC, as they share their expertise on providing much-needed relief for those caring for loved ones. With their vast experience in adult day care, Latasha and Melissa discuss the challenges caregivers face, the vital role respite care plays in maintaining both the well-being of caregivers and the quality of care for those they serve, and how Wisdom Adult Day Care Services is helping to fill that gap in the community. Tune in for an enlightening discussion on self-care, support systems, and the power of community in caregiving.
Listen now and discover how respite care can be a true lifeline for caregivers!
Season 5 officially kicked off November 1st, and in the first episode, my guests and I tackled a deeply personal topic: "When Caregiving and Grief Collide." Experiencing the devastating loss of my best friend/sister unexpectedly a year and 5 months ago, shook me to my core. While I appeared to be functioning on the outside, internally, I was grappling with an intense pain that I had never known before. Despite my faith in God, I found myself feeling shattered and unable to stop—particularly because I still had to care for my mom. Juggling the role of caregiver while dealing with my own grief—mourning my sister’s physical absence and simultaneously witnessing my mom’s inability to recognize me—is an incredibly complex and emotional journey. Some days are lighter, others feel heavier. There are moments when I laugh through the tears, and others when the sadness takes over. But day by day, it’s getting better. This experience has taught me that it’s okay to be human. We are allowed to feel happy, hurting and healing all at once. In this episode, I’m joined by my dear friend, Vicky Noland Fitch. Vicky’s husband, Phil, passed away just six months ago. Not long after his death, Vicky shared a quote on Facebook that inspired this conversation. It read, “You’re allowed to be happy, hurting and healing all at once. You’re a human, not a rock.” And that’s the truth—whether you are grieving the loss of someone through death, ambiguous loss, or a long goodbye with a loved one you’re caring for, you don’t need anyone’s permission to grieve in your own way. You are allowed to be “Happy, Hurting, and Healing.” As you listen, my hope is that you find inspiration, strength, and grace to carry on the path God has set for you in this journey. While you're here...Subscribe To the Channel! Thank you ABOUT VICKY NOLAND FITCH Vicky Noland Fitch is a Social Worker and Certified Dementia Practitioner with 30 years of experience helping people with dementia and their families navigate this catastrophic disease, and manage Dementia With GRACE! She is the creator of the “Dementia With Grace” Behavior Management System, and author of the Amazon Bestselling Book “Dementia With Grace: A New, POSITIVE Way of Dealing with Behaviors in People with Dementia, Second Edition” and the “The Story of a Life: A Tool to Gather the Life History of a Person with Dementia”. She helps families dealing with difficult dementia behaviors by teaching common sense strategies to manage wandering, agitation, paranoia and false accusations and other troubling behaviors. She also consults with dementia caregivers on self-care for the hard journey that is dementia caregiving; specifically on issues of overwhelm, burnout, guilt and grief. Her books are sold on Amazon. Find the book on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2SQ1Yby Join the Dementia With Grace Caregiver Support Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dementiawithgrace
What happens 'When Caregiving and Grief Collide? In this deeply personal episode, I open up about my raw experience with grief following the devastating loss of my best friend and sister on August 1, 2023. Each day, I navigate the pain of her absence while also caring for my mom, who is living with dementia—a daily reminder of loss, even as she is physically present but no longer recognizes me. Someone once said, "One of the hardest things you will ever do is grieve the loss of a person who is still alive," and I wholeheartedly agree. It’s a complex journey of love and heartache. I’m joined by CherylAnn Haley, a dear friend and fellow care partner. Like me, she lost her best friend in September 2023 and is also caring for her mother, who, too, lives with dementia. Together, we explore the intersection of caregiving and grief, discussing what happens when these two worlds collide. To enrich our conversation, we welcomed Felicia Allen, a Certified Grief Counselor, who helps guide us through the emotional landscape we’re navigating. Our shared experiences created a powerful dialogue that I hope will resonate with many of you facing similar challenges. As you listen, my prayer is that you find inspiration, strength, and grace to hold and keep walking the path God has set for you on this journey. While you're here...Subscribe To the Channel! Thank you
If you’ve listened to this podcast at all or have been following my Caregiver journey, you know I care for my mom who is living with Alzheimer's dementia. Alzheimer's and any other form of dementia is a brain disease. Often, we talk about our physical health, mental health, and even spiritual health, but few people consider or even mention the importance of keeping our brains healthy. On this episode, my guest, Whitney Scott and I, delve into the conversation and we’re talking, “Brain Health.”
On this episode of the podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with Kristal Cooley, the Alzheimer's Association Program Manager for Tallahassee, FL and surrounding areas, to discuss the association and the ways in which they are leading the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementias. Kristal shares the different support services and programs offered by the Alzheimer's Association and how those who need the services can obtain them.
The Alzheimer's Association has a 24/7 Support Helpline. If you need help, please reach out by calling 800.272.3900.
Contact Kristal Cooley at kmcooley@alz.org.
On this episode, my guest Andrea LoPiccolo, shares the story of her dear friend being diagnosed with dementia and how it drew her to becoming an Alzheimer's Advocate.
November is National Family Caregivers Appreciation Month and all month long, I'll be sitting down talking with some amazing Caregiver Heros who deserved to be celebrated for the selfless care they are giving to their loved ones. On this episode, I sit down and talk with CherylAnn Haley who is serving her mother, Sandy.
"Some days in this journey are harder than others. It is no secret to my Mom that her brain is changing, and sometimes those changes just stink. Sometimes we talk about what she is afraid she will miss or how we cannot do the things we used to. Over the years this dynamic duo has, however, learned to roll with the bunches." (Snippet of CherylAnn's Facebook post from July 16, 2023.) Play the episode and hear more of CherylAnn's Care Journey.
November is National Family Caregivers Appreciation Month, and Season 4 of the My Favorite Girl Caregivers Corner Podcast will be all about CELEBRATING CAREGIVERS. On this episode, I had the privilege of sitting down and talking with Tallahassee Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox. Not only does she serve our city in her current role but she is also Caregiver to her husband of 38 years. Both are demanding positions, yet she does it with such grace, poise, and passion. Take a listen and be inspired and strengthened by her journey. She is truly worthy of celebrating! #celebratingcaregivers #caregiverlife #caregiverspouses #caregiversareheroes #podcast #myfavoritegirlcaregiverscorner
Hospice began as a response to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and families facing a life-limiting illness. Only one in three eligible patients and families however, experience the benefits of hospice care. There are so many "myths" concerning hospice care that often keep people who need the help from getting it.
On this week's episode, my guests and I will disprove those myths and share how the services and programs provided by Big Bend Hospice can benefit you and your family. I'm having the conversation because I, too, believed the myths and delayed on getting the help my mom and I desperately needed on our Care Journey. Today, we take full advantage of the services and programs offered and oh, what a relief it is!
A report by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving reported that one in 10 caregivers is a married person who looks after their spouse. On this episode, I have the privilege of having a conversation with a dear friend and sister, Mrs. Melissa Leon. She is a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a full-time employee, among other things. She is one--a Caregiver who is caring for her spouse. Today, we’re talking, “Balancing Being a Caregiver & A Spouse.”
On this week's episode, I have the pleasure of conversing with the President and CEO of Elder Care Services, Inc., Jocelyne "Josie" Fliger. Elder Care Services is the leading provider of community-based senior care. They offer Elder Day Stay, In-Home Services, Nutrition/Meals on Wheels, a Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Outreach Services, Specialized Support, and so much more. Listen and find out how you and/or your loved one can take advantage of this valuable resource.
Elder Care Services | 2518 West Tennessee Street | Tallahassee, Florida | (850) 921-5554 | www.eldercarebigbend.org
On this episode, we're talking, Aging & Amazing--being committed to older adults and strengthening the networks that surround them.
January 29, 2022, 12:09 am, will forever be etched in my memory. That was the day, #OurFavoriteGrandma, transitioned to glory. This week's episode is dedicated to celebrating her life, legacy, and what she means to us. Joining me on this episode is none other than Youth Caregiver Extraordinaire, Radio Show Host, and my baby girl (#TheYoungerOne), Kaylin Jean-Louis. We had the honor of serving our grandmother for the last almost 4 years of her life. On this one year anniversary, we joyously remember her. Alzheimer's didn't win, #LOVEWon. Julie Miller Powell...we speak your name and you are forever in our hearts. We love you, Grandma!
www.priscillajjean-louis/podcasts
Going from working in Hollywood and being on the top of her game, to losing it all and finding her purpose and passion in Caring. Ashoniti Foster shares her journey of caring and how it all led to her founding her company, Puzzled2020. In our conversation, we also discuss getting a yearly "check up from the neck up." Why should we? How important is it? We're talking about it!
Visit Ashoniti's Website: https://puzzled2020.com
Follow Ashoniti on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/Puzzled2020/ | Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/puzzled2020/
Follow My Caregiver Journey with #MyFavoriteGirl - Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/myfavoritegirl0904/ | Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/myfavoritegirlalzheimers/ | TikTok @ https://www.tiktok.com/@myfavoritegirlandalz | YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ3O6QxFwdOBzvGKLzKRNJg
The 2023 Alzheimer's Rally in Tally is being held February 7-8, 2023, in Tallahassee, Florida. The rally brings together advocates from across the state to join together to raise awareness and support legislation and funding for the 580,000 Floridians living with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. Jennifer Braisted, Director of Government Affairs for the Alzheimer's Association, State of Florida, joins me to talk about the rally and how we can get involved to help shine a light on Alzheimer's.
To register for the rally, text Rally2023 to 52886.
