A Time to Care: The Caregivers Podcast

When you become a caregiver, managing medications can quickly become one of the most overwhelming parts of the journey. What is each medication for? Is it still needed? Could a side effect look like a new health problem? And what happens when several doctors prescribe different medications? In this episode of A Time to Care: The Caregivers Podcast, Isabel Melgarejo talks with Marty Eng, PharmD, a memory care consultant, concierge pharmacist, and speaker who helps caregivers navigate medication management, particularly for loved ones living with memory problems. Marty shares practical guidance to help caregivers become more informed and confident advocates for their loved ones. Together, they discuss: Why keeping an accurate medication list mattersHow to connect each medication with its purposeWhy caregivers should ask, “How do we know this medication is helping?”How side effects can sometimes be mistaken for new health problemsWhat caregivers should know about medications prescribed by multiple doctorsWhy “as needed” medications deserve special attentionHow changes in diet, lifestyle, or other medications can affect treatmentWhat deprescribing means and why medications may have different “seasons”How caregivers can communicate more effectively with healthcare providersWhy tracking symptoms and asking questions can prevent unnecessary frustration One of the most important reminders from this conversation is simple: you don't have to be a medical professional to be an informed advocate. If you care for a loved one, especially someone living with dementia or memory problems, this conversation may give you practical tools to make medication management a little less overwhelming. Listen, learn, and share this episode with another caregiver who may need it. About A Time to Care: A Time to Care: The Caregivers Podcast is a space for family caregivers to find education, encouragement, practical resources, and honest conversations about the caregiving journey. Connect with Marty Eng: Website: martyingg.com/home-page Email: [email protected] This podcast is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always discuss medication changes with an appropriate healthcare professional.

Most families are one missed call away from falling out of sync. Chad Hensle built an AI-powered check-in service that sends three warm texts a day to aging parents, then turns their replies into a simple daily recap for the family - no app required. Isabel Melgarejo talks with Chad about the real caregiving problem that sparked Juta: a family trying to stay connected while an aunt’s dementia, a busy uncle, and a tangled relay of updates made even basic communication harder than it should be. What started as a solution for his own family quickly became a practical tool for anyone caring for a loved one who needs a little extra support. You’ll discover: Why Juta uses text messages instead of a new appHow the system gently prompts loved ones without feeling intrusiveWhat the caregiver dashboard tracks, including response rates and mood scoringWhy the service is designed to be a prompt, not a replacement, for human connectionHow the product is expanding beyond elder care into recovery, assisted living, and other support situations Chad also shares the human side of building for caregivers - the emotional weight they carry, the small signs that tell families, “they’re okay,” and why the best solutions often start with a problem you can’t ignore. He opens up about the early build, the “vibe coded” MVP, and the surprising response from loved ones who actually enjoy the back-and-forth. If you’ve ever tried to keep family members informed without becoming the group chat, this episode will hit home. It’s especially relevant for caregivers, adult children, and anyone looking for a simpler way to stay present without adding more friction to already stressful days. Perfect for anyone navigating caregiving, family communication, or AI tools that make real life easier instead of more complicated. Chad Hensle is the founder of Juta, an AI-powered daily check-in service for aging parents and other loved ones. He created the product from a deeply personal family need and is now focused on building a tool that supports both caregivers and the people they care for. Contact information: https://www.facebook.com/chensle https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-hensle/

Welcome to A Time to Care: The Caregivers Podcast! In this episode, Isabel Melgarejo sits down with financial advisor Mark Kashar to talk about the importance of insurance, long-term care planning, and how to protect your loved ones with smart financial decisions. Learn why early planning matters, what insurance companies look for, and how to avoid common — and costly — mistakes caregivers face. Perfect for anyone wanting clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

In this short update, host Isabel Melgarejo shares exciting news with the A Time to Care community! As the podcast celebrates over 100 episodes, Isabel talks about what’s ahead — including new projects, resources, and ways to support caregivers. She also announces a small change: new episodes will now be released every other week to make space for upcoming initiatives designed to help you thrive in your caregiving journey. ✨ Stay connected and don’t miss what’s coming next — subscribe to the newsletter and get your free guide to having difficult conversations by registering in our page.