The Caregiver Community

Families often think of downsizing as a practical task—sorting belongings, packing boxes, and deciding what stays and what goes. But for older adults, the process is often much more personal. Every room, every photograph, and every keepsake can represent a lifetime of memories, relationships, and milestones. In the episode host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity is joined by her guest Shannon Stiger, Realtor, Copper Creek Real Estate Brokers, Chapter Coordinator, ACAP Oklahoma City to discuss why downsizing is about so much more than ”stuff,” how families can navigate the process with compassion, and practical ways to make the journey less overwhelming and more meaningful.

When a loved one is hospitalized, family caregivers often find themselves overwhelmed, worried, and unsure of what to do next. In this episode, host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity is joined by Dr. Bibhusan Basnet, MD, MS, FACP, Board-Certified Internal Medicine Physician and Hospitalist; Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, eHealthyInfo talk with an internal medicine physician about the critical role of caregivers during a hospital stay. Learn how to communicate effectively with the healthcare team, understand medications, prepare for discharge, recognize potential problems, and take care of yourself while caring for someone else. For information on additional podcasts, FREE in-person programs for care partners (caregivers), and more, please visit the ACAPcommunity website here. No chapter in your area? Stay tuned! ACAP is growing nationwide. Check our website often for a chapter near you. Meanwhile, we hope you'll take advantage of our audio podcast archive, our YouTube archive, and more. This episode of The Caregiver Community is made possible by our podcast sponsor, Senior TLC in Newton, NC, and sustaining partner EveryAge.

Loss of mobility can happen gradually or suddenly, making everyday activities more challenging for older adults and the families who support them. In this podcast, join host Karen Summey, MA, ACAPcommunity Project Manager and Podcast Host, Active Family Caregiver and Mr. Bill Price, Owner, Mobility Scooters and More, Roswell, GA as they explore how to recognize when it may be time to consider mobility solutions and how to assess changing physical needs and limitations. Learn about common types of durable medical equipment (DME)—such as canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and other assistive devices—and how to select options that promote safety, independence, and quality of life. Experts share practical guidance to help caregivers and their families make informed decisions with confidence.

More than 275,000 Americans die each year due to medication mismanagement, and 750 older adults are hospitalized every day from medication-related harm. And, on average, individual Americans waste about $6000 every year on unnecessary medications. In this episode, host Karen Summey, MA ACAPcommuntiy welcomes Dr. DeLon Canterbury, PharmD, BCGP, President/CEO of GeriatRx, Inc. We take a look at overprescribing, medication safety, and practical advice for caregivers and their loved ones on how to manage this healthcare crisis. Please join us! For information on additional podcasts, FREE in-person programs for care partners (caregivers), and more, please visit the ACAPcommunity website here. No chapter in your area? Stay tuned! ACAP is growing nationwide. Check our website often for a chapter near you. Meanwhile, we hope you'll take advantage of our audio podcast archive, our YouTube archive, and more. This episode of The Caregiver Community is made possible by our podcast sponsor, PACE@Home in Newton, NC, and sustaining partner EveryAge. Interviewer Karen Summey, MA, ACAPcommunity Project Manager and Podcast Host, Active Family Caregiver

Caring for an older adult often means finding ways to make daily life safer, easier, and more enjoyable. This month host Karen Summey, MA, ACAPcommunity is joined by Jane Everson, PhD, and Catherine Hague, Retired English and Creative Writing Teacher. All three are active family caregivers and will offer helpful tips from the front lines of caregiving, as well as ideas for the perfect holiday (or year-round) gifts for yourself or those in your care. Check out the Shopping Guide referenced in this episode here! For information on additional podcasts, FREE in-person programs for care partners (caregivers), and more, please visit the ACAPcommunity website here. No chapter in your area? Stay tuned! ACAP is growing nationwide. Check our website often for a chapter near you. Meanwhile, we hope you'll take advantage of our audio podcast archive, our YouTube archive, and more. This episode of The Caregiver Community is made possible by our podcast sponsor, PACE@Home in Newton, NC, and sustaining partner EveryAge.

More than 63 million adults in the United States are caregivers. That’s more than one in four adults in our nation! They’re our family, our neighbors, and our co-workers. Are you among them? Do you know some of them? Or do you employ them? Join host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity and guest Mark Hensley, Associate State Director, Outreach & Advocacy, AARP North Carolina to hear more about the state of caregiving in America in 2025 – who we are, what we do, and what we need. Link to Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 - AARP Research Report For information on additional podcasts, FREE in-person programs for care partners (caregivers), and more, please visit the ACAPcommunity website here. No chapter in your area? Stay tuned! ACAP is growing nationwide. Check our website often for a chapter near you. Meanwhile, we hope you'll take advantage of our audio podcast archive, our YouTube archive, and more. This episode of The Caregiver Community is made possible by our podcast sponsor, PACE@Home in Newton, NC, and sustaining partner EveryAge.

Gardening is more than just a physical activity; it’s also deeply emotional to those who pursue it across a lifetime. It’s part of a person’s identity, grounding, and place in the world. As physical challenges ensue through the years, it’s important to know how to adapt gardening activities and tools along the way. Gardeners and their care partners can plan ahead to ensure this meaningful part of life continues despite the many challenges. In this episode host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity is joined by John Bowen, Retired Master Gardener, NCSU Cooperative Extension Volunteer. John is a retired science teacher and an active Master Gardener in Buncombe County in western North Carolina. He and his wife and two cats moved to the Asheville area seven years ago where they put in a garden and remodeled a house, in that order. “First things first,” John says. Click here for a companion handout for this episode! For information on additional podcasts, FREE in-person programs for care partners (caregivers), and more, please visit the ACAPcommunity website here. No chapter in your area? Stay tuned! ACAP is growing nationwide. Check our website often for a chapter near you. Meanwhile, we hope you'll take advantage of our audio podcast archive, our YouTube archive, and more. This episode of The Caregiver Community is made possible by our podcast sponsor, PACE@Home in Newton, NC, and sustaining partner EveryAge

Are we harboring outdated versions of our parents in our minds? What does it look like in practice to be a care partner for someone based on who they are now? Host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity is joined by Dr. Corinne Auman for a discussion about how we can engage in deeper conversations with our parents to know how they have evolved over time. Then, learn how to adapt your approaches to truly meet your parents’ care needs in this moment.

What does it mean to be a caregiver? What impacts exist for both the caregiver and the care recipient(s)? Join host Karen Summey, project manager for ACAPcommunity, and Frances Hall, Founder and Executive Director of ACAPcommunity, as they talk about the joys and challenges of caring for aging parents and other adult loved ones.

Supporting an aging loved one, particularly from a distance, can include unique challenges. In this podcast, Frances Hall, Founder & Executive Director of ACAPcommunity is joined by Dr. Cheryl Greenberg, a life coach for seniors and their families, presents insights into understanding loved ones’ needs from a distance, steps for effectively addressing the concerns, and some of the particular challenges of providing support from a distance.

In this podcast, interviewers Frances Hall Founder & Executive Director, of ACAPcommunity, and AJ Kerley Director of Professional Relations at PACE@Home, will discuss with John Uche, MD – Medical Director for PACE@Home the social determinants of health, barriers to accessing care, health literacy, and other factors that affect healthcare for underserved populations.

Oral health and oral care often can be among the challenges experienced by aging persons and their caregivers. Join Dr. Natalie Whitaker, a dentist and nutritionist, and Frances Hall as they discuss oral health and its impact on overall health, and how dentists can aid improving the quality of life for an older adult and their caregiver.

Caregiving is the process of providing assistance and support in meeting the daily needs of another person. For caregivers of older adult loved ones, anticipating life after caregiving can be difficult for a variety of reasons. Join host Frances Hall, Executive Director of ACAPcommunity and Rev. Gary Newsome Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life, Lake Prince Woods Retirement Community, Suffolk, VA. as they discuss the challenges of bereavement and life after caregiving.