Episode 7: The Blind Side of Guardianships
The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide
Release Date: 11/01/2023
Season 2, Episode 5: Widows Support Network
The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide
In this episode of The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide, host Candace Dellacona welcomes Dawn Nargi, Executive Director and founder of The W Connection, a nonprofit organization supporting widows through connection, encouragement, education, and empowerment. Dawn shares her personal story of loss and the inception of The W Connection. The discussion highlights the unique challenges of widowhood and underscores the importance of peer-led support and social connections in the healing process. The conversation further explores the need for widows to redefine their lives and establish a...
info_outline
Season 2, Episode 4: Empowering Families- Critical Caregiving Conversations for the Sandwich Generation
The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide
In this episode of The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide, host Candace Dellacona is joined by Dr. Ashwini Bapat, a hospice and palliative care physician from EpioneMD, who brings a wealth of knowledge from her training at Tufts, Yale, and Harvard. Dr. Bapat delves into the complexities of caring for loved ones with serious illnesses, highlighting the vital importance of engaging in meaningful conversations about living with such conditions. She clarifies the distinction between palliative care, which provides an extra layer of support at any illness stage, and hospice care, focused on...
info_outline
Season 2, Episode 3: Connecting with Care- Effective Communication Strategies for Loved Ones with Dementia
The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide
Welcome to the Sandwich Generation Survival Guide with your host, Candace Dellacona. In this insightful episode, Candace is joined by Denise Scruggs, the Director of Education at the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP). Together, they explore effective communication strategies for interacting with loved ones experiencing dementia. Denise shares invaluable tips on how to engage meaningfully, address nonverbal cues, and provide comfort amidst cognitive challenges. From understanding the impact of sensory changes to fostering patience and empathy, this episode offers...
info_outline
Season 2, Episode 2: Author Kate Feiffer’s Journey Through Caregiving, Creativity, and Her Book “Morning Pages”
The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide
In this episode of The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide, Candace Dellacona sits down with accomplished writer, illustrator, and editor Kate Feiffer. Kate opens up about her career journey, from working in TV production to becoming an author, and how her mother’s dementia influenced her latest novel, Morning Pages. The novel explores the emotional and practical challenges faced by those in the Sandwich Generation—people caring for both aging parents and children. Kate discusses the themes of invisibility and identity loss that caregivers often experience, emphasizing how writing became...
info_outline
Season 2, Episode 1: Decluttering with Compassion: A Guide to Senior Downsizing featuring Tracy McCubbin
The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide
In this episode of the Sandwich Generation Survival Guide, host Candace Dellacona interviews Tracy McCubbin, founder of dClutterfly®, who shares her expertise on managing personal belongings and downsizing for aging family members. With 17 years of experience, Tracy emphasizes the importance of framing decluttering conversations around aging goals, such as aging in place or moving to a smaller home, rather than criticizing the amount of stuff. She highlights the benefits of starting these discussions early, getting professional valuations for items, and respecting the emotional connections...
info_outline
Episode 12: Part 2- Proactive Planning Strategies with Geriatric Care Managers featuring Care Collective's Christine Davis
The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide
In episode 12, "Part 2: Proactive Planning Strategies with Geriatric Care Managers," continues her conversation with , the co-founder of . The episode delves into the importance of planning ahead for care and discusses how to initiate conversations with loved ones about setting up a care plan before a crisis occurs. Candace and Christine emphasize the significance of documents like the health care proxy, living will, and medical orders for life-sustaining treatment in outlining one's medical wishes and ensuring they are carried out effectively. They also highlight the role of the power...
info_outline
Episode 11: Part 1- Geriatric Care Managers featuring Care Collective's Christine Davis
The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide
In episode 11, "Part 1: Geriatric Care Managers," welcomes , the co-founder of . The episode delves into the pivotal role of geriatric care managers, professionals adept in nursing, social work, or gerontology, specializing in aiding older adults with healthcare management. Christine, drawing from her social work background, elaborates on care managers' responsibilities, which encompass orchestrating diverse aspects of care for clients. The discussion explores critical scenarios where care manager intervention proves indispensable, such as discharge planning from medical facilities and...
info_outline
Episode 10: Death and Dying featuring Eileen Spillane
The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide
In episode 10, "Death and Dying," welcomes , the founder of . Eileen discusses her background and how growing up in a family that normalized discussions around death influenced her perspective. She shares her experiences as a critical care nurse, particularly at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, gaining a unique perspective on life and death. Eileen explains how her encounters with death prompted her to start Befriending Death. The organization aims to facilitate open conversations about death and dying, providing people with the tools to approach these topics and make informed...
info_outline
Episode 9: Financial Planning featuring Ryan Rosegarten
The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide
In episode 9, "Financial Planning," Jodi Argentino and Candace Dellacona of The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide interview Ryan Rosegarten, a Senior Wealth Strategy Associate and Certified Financial Planner'™ at UBS Katz Wealth Management. The conversation explores challenges faced by the "Sandwich Generation" with a focus on financial planning, including saving for children's education while simultaneously saving for retirement. Ryan emphasizes the expanded role of financial planners, going beyond traditional investment management. He highlights their involvement in considering a client's...
info_outline
Episode 8: Communication Strategies in High Conflict Situations
The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide
In episode 8, "Communication Strategies in High Conflict Situations," The Sandwich Generation's Jodi Argentino and Candace Dellacona discuss effective communication in high-conflict situations, particularly relevant to the Sandwich Generation dealing with family issues. Jodi and Candace emphasize the pivotal role of communication across various aspects of life. They highlight a communication method called "B.I.F.F.," which stands for Brief, Informative, Friendly, and Firm. The hosts discuss the challenges of written communication, such as text messages, cautioning against blame, unsolicited...
info_outlineWe're back! In episode 7, "The Blind Side of Guardianships," The Sandwich Generation's Candace Dellacona and Jodi Argentino delve into the complex topics of guardianships and conservatorships. The hosts discuss these topics in the context of two high-profile cases: Michael Oher and Britney Spears.
Candace and Jodi explain the legal distinctions between adoption, guardianship, and conservatorship as they highlight the importance of understanding these legal processes, especially in cases involving individuals with mental health or capacity issues.
The discussion emphasizes the need for advanced planning, such as setting up power of attorney and healthcare proxies, to avoid resorting to guardianships. The episode also addresses the recent legal changes inspired by the Britney Spears case, aiming to protect individuals' rights in healthcare decisions.
If you are interested in learning more or have any questions, please feel free to contact Jodi at [email protected] and Candace at [email protected].