The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide

Host Candace Dellacona welcomes acclaimed writer Lisa McCarty for a powerful conversation on caregiving, resilience, and the courage to tell deeply personal stories. McCarty reflects on her essays that resonated with thousands—from losing her father just as she welcomed her second child to stepping into the role of caregiver for her mother at just 13—and how those experiences shaped her voice and perspective. Now developing a reported nonfiction book, she shares hard-earned insights on identity, boundaries, and advocacy, offering thoughtful guidance for young caregivers navigating similar paths. 00:00 Discovering Strength Through Caregiving with Lisa McCarty 00:07 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:31 Why Write Personal Stories 02:08 Sharing the Caregiving Essay 05:26 Story Timing 08:53 How Young Caregiving Shaped Lisa 13:17 Realizing She Was a Caregiver 16:41 Systemic Failures and Isolation 24:03 Advice for Young Caregivers 27:09 Writing the Book and Self Care 32:10 Privacy and Telling the Truth 35:08 Defining Thriving, Not Surviving 38:27 Closing Remarks For a collection of Lisa’s essays and articles, visit https://linktr.ee/lbmccarty Follow Lisa McCarty on social media: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-mccarty-8905513/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lbmccarty717/ (00:00) - v2 Discovering Strength Through Caregiving with Lisa McCarty (00:07) - Welcome and Guest Intro (01:31) - Why Write Personal Stories (02:08) - Sharing the Caregiving Essay (05:26) - Story Timing (08:53) - How Young Caregiving Shaped Lisa (13:17) - Realizing She Was a Caregiver (15:31) - Systemic Failures and Isolation (22:54) - Advice for Young Caregivers (26:00) - Writing the Book and Self Care (30:09) - Defining Thriving, Not Surviving (33:27) - Closing Remarks

In this episode of The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide, host Candace Dellacona celebrates National Adoption Month by welcoming intellectual property attorney Michele Katz to discuss her journey with adoption and the creation of the Plus One Adoption Foundation. Michele shares her personal experiences, the challenges of adopting both infants and older children, and how her foundation aims to provide reliable resources and support to families looking to adopt. The discussion highlights the emotional and logistical aspects of adoption, the support and resources provided by the foundation to adoptive families, and the importance of changing the narrative around adoption. Michele also touches on key aspects like credible resources, post-placement support, and building a community for adoptive families. As an extra, Michele talks about her private wine label, Wine for Good®, which supports the foundation. Tune in to learn more about transforming adoption experiences and supporting adoptive families.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:37 Michele's Adoption Journey Begins04:17 Adopting an Older Child08:17 Founding Plus One Adoption Foundation12:51 Navigating the Adoption Process19:12 Post-Placement Support and Resources25:35 Community and Final ThoughtsTo learn more about Plus One Adoption Foundation, visit their website at https://plusoneadoption.org/Follow Plus One Adoption Foundation on social media:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/plus-one-adoption-foundation-inc/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plusoneadoption/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plusoneadoptionEmail Plus One Adoption Foundation: admin@plusoneadoption.org

In this episode of The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide, host Candace Dellacona welcomes Albert Eshoo and Joyce Barocas, owners of Right at Home Home Care in New York City. They discuss their paths into the home care industry and delve into the new Medicare GUIDE Program, designed to assist families and caregivers of those with Alzheimer's and dementia. The discussion covers the limitations of traditional Medicare coverage, the importance of activities of daily living (ADLs), and the significant benefits of the GUIDE program, including free access to care navigators and respite care. The episode provides listeners with comprehensive insights on how to effectively utilize home care services and the GUIDE program to maintain their loved ones' independence and improve the quality of life for caregivers.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:29 Getting into Home Care: Personal Stories03:22 Understanding the Home Care Crisis04:44 Medicare and Home Care: The Basics08:22 Introducing the GUIDE Program12:46 Steps to Access the GUIDE Program15:24 Comprehensive Services of the GUIDE Program22:06 Training and Safety in Home Care27:41 When to Call a Professional36:06 Conclusion and Contact InformationTo learn more about Right at Home, visit their website at https://www.rightathome.net/lower-manhattanFor RightConversation resources, visit https://www.rightathome.net/lower-manhattan/resources/guides/right-conversationsFollow Right at Home on social media:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/RightatHomeCareFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RightAtHomeLowerManhattanTwitter: https://x.com/rightathomeNY Connect with Albert and Joyce on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/alberteshoo/https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycebarocas/

In this episode of 'The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide,' host Candace Dellacona welcomes Ben Kruger, a thought leader in modern healthcare. Ben shares his journey from a career in Hollywood to co-founding Sollis Health, a company providing concierge urgent and emergent care, and his latest venture, Appian, which aims to holistically support aging adults and their families.Ben discusses the inspiration behind his ventures, the complexities of the US healthcare system, and the importance of proactive planning in aging well. The conversation emphasizes the significance of early engagement, active listening, and creating a supportive infrastructure for aging loved ones, touching on the emotional and logistical challenges faced by the sandwich generation.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:54 Ben Kruger's Journey from Hollywood to Healthcare10:46 The Birth of Sollis Health17:17 The Concept and Growth of Concierge Care20:48 Introducing Appian25:23 The Importance of Planning for Aging30:28 Engaging in Conversations About Aging44:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Connect with Ben on social media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-kruger-35a745b/

In this episode of 'The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide,' host Candace Dellacona welcomes Dr. Jonathan Knaul, a distinguished Royal Canadian Air Force pilot and commander, NATO mission leader, instructor at the National Test Pilot School, and author of 'Final Approach, a Test Pilot’s Story of Caring for Loved Ones.' Jonathan shares his impressive background, from leading high-stakes military missions to training elite military pilots, through his journey as a caregiver for his parents and the heartfelt motivation behind writing his book. He discusses the skills he learned as a decorated military pilot and commander in the RCAF, how he used those skills when dealing with the complexities of caregiving, and the emotional and practical challenges of advocating for loved ones with dementia. Jonathan provides valuable advice on how to maintain the dignity of your aging loved ones and how to manage caregiver burnout. Jonathan and Candace also discuss the importance of community and self-care all while navigating this demanding role.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:29 Jonathan Knaul's Background and Career02:21 Writing the Book: A Love Letter to Parents04:18 Stories of Jonathan's Parents07:28 Challenges and Rewards of Caregiving13:45 Decision Making and Family Dynamics26:38 Caregiver Burnout and Final Thoughts28:30 Conclusion and Community ResourcesTo purchase Jonathan’s book and subscribe to his newsletter, visit https://finalapproachbook.com/.

Join host Candace Dellacona in this insightful episode of The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide, featuring Dr. Gerda Maissel, founder of My MD Advisor. Candace and Dr. Maissel discuss “solo agers” and the unique challenges they face. Learn about critical strategies for single people as they age, including building community, ensuring proper medical care, and legal planning to navigate aging independently or with limited family support. This episode provides valuable insights for both solo agers and their loved ones!00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:30 Dr. Gerda Maissel's Background and My MD Advisor01:07 Personal Story: The Catalyst for My MD Advisor02:29 Challenges in the Healthcare System05:30 The Concept of Solo Aging09:14 Fears and Realities of Solo Agers22:56 Building Community and Support Networks25:52 Legal and Medical Preparations for Solo Agers29:38 When to Seek Professional Help31:45 Conclusion and Contact InformationFor more information about My MD Advisor, visit: https://www.mymdadvisor.com/Follow My MD Advisor on social media:https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-md-advisor/https://www.facebook.com/MyMDAdvisor/

In this episode of The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide, host Candace Dellacona interviews Beth Weeks, a registered nurse and co-founder of Senior Living Consultants of New York.Beth discusses the complexities of senior housing, including options such as aging in place, independent living, and assisted living facilities. She shares her personal journey that led her to specialize in senior care, as well as the mission of her consultancy to bring clarity, transparency, and advocacy to families navigating these decisions. The conversation covers the importance of safety, financial planning, and the evolving landscape of senior housing that is becoming more inclusive of diverse communities and specialized needs.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:02 The Growing Senior Population 01:43 Beth's Background and Motivation 03:21 Challenges in Senior Housing 05:10 Different Senior Housing Options 05:55 Safety Concerns for Aging in Place 08:36 Independent Living vs. Assisted Living 14:30 When to Consider Skilled Nursing 18:03 Cost Considerations and Financial Planning 27:00 The Future of Senior Living Communities 29:41 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFor more information on Senior Living Consultants of New York, visit: https://www.slcofny.com/

In this episode of The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide, host Candace Dellacona welcomes entrepreneurial power couple Kass and Mike Lazerow. They discuss their book Shoveling $h!t: A Love Story, which details how to successfully build your business, and shares the harsh realities and joys of entrepreneurship.During the episode, Kass and Mike delve into their origin story, the importance of picking the right partner in business as in life, and how they support the entrepreneurial community through investments and mentorship. They reveal their four-part approach—vision, communication, mindset, and workload—and the creation of their Go-Gauge™ to help evaluate business ideas. Kass and Mike also discuss work-life balance, offering personal anecdotes about juggling family life with running a business, the significance of modeling good behavior for their children, and the importance of consistency in both personal and professional spheres. The episode wraps up with a note on their continued commitment to giving back through initiatives like Cycle for Survival.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:29 Kass and Mike's Origin Story02:34 Entrepreneurial Journey and Book Inspiration04:16 Writing the Book Together06:22 The Importance of Picking the Right Partner15:22 The Go-Gauge™ and Evaluating Business Ideas22:22 Balancing Family and Entrepreneurship29:28 Modeling Success for Kids and Founders34:38 Conclusion and Book Pre-order InformationTo preorder Shoveling $h!t: A Love Story, visit:shovelingshit.comFor more information on Kass and Mike, visit:kassandmike.comcycleforsurvival.orgFollow Kass and Mike on social media:https://www.facebook.com/kassandmikehttps://www.instagram.com/kassandmikehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/kassandmike/https://www.tiktok.com/@kassandmikehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgLzz0yep6lUaE5i62zMXTw