Value of Wrinkles: Caregiving, Aging & Intergenerational Connection

Welcome to Value of Wrinkles. A heartfelt podcast hosted by Isabel Tom, author, speaker, and forever grandchild. Inspired by her book The Value of Wrinkle: A Young Perspective on How Loving the Old Will Change Your Life, this show celebrates the beauty of aging, the power of intergenerational relationships, and the transformative role of caregiving. Each episode explores how to connect more deeply with the older generation, offering practical advice, tender stories, and honest conversations on topics like elder care, aging parents, and legacy. Whether you're a caregiver, grandchild, or someone simply curious about growing older with grace, this podcast will help you love the older generation and yourself a little more.

Ep 90: Bringing Kids together with Assisted Living Residents – Is it a bad idea? 09/05/2025

Ep 89: 6 Tips for Managing Kids in Intergenerational Senior Living Programs 08/28/2025

Ep 88: Where Are the Children? Why Kids Rarely Visit Senior Living Communities 08/14/2025

Ep 88: Where Are the Children? Why Kids Rarely Visit Senior Living Communities Why don’t kids visit senior living communities more often? In this thought-provoking episode, we dive into a surprising truth: many senior care communities are hesitant to welcome children—despite the well-known benefits of intergenerational connection. As a mom, aunt, coach, and longtime advocate for bridging generations, I share insights from my experience working with assisted living and nursing homes across the U.S. and Canada. Does it make sense or does it surprise you? This isn’t about criticism—it’s about understanding the barriers that make child-friendly senior communities so rare. From health concerns and liability issues to simple logistical challenges, we explore why these environments aren’t always eager to bring kids into the mix. But here's the good news: once we understand the "why," we can begin building the "how." Highlights · Why kids are seen as unpredictable, unhygienic, or even a liability · Why programs like Pets on Wheels treat youth with caution · How our perceptions of children intersect with long-term care priorities · A behind-the-scenes update on the Grandkid Investigator (GKI) Program Exciting news: GKI is expanding into assisted living and skilled nursing settings this year! With over 32,000 assisted living facilities and 15,000 nursing homes in the U.S., and 11,000+ in Canada, the opportunity for meaningful intergenerational connection is massive—but untapped. Links mentioned: If you want more info on volunteering and having your child/teen participate in the GKI program at local senior living communities, contact me at . Learn about using the Grandkid Investigator Concept in your own family at . Social media is fun, but my email newsletter is better. Sign up for my email newsletter at 🎧 Show Notes: 📸 Connect on Instagram: 📖 Read The Value of Wrinkles: 📬 Join the email list: 🎤 Invite Isabel to speak: /episode/index/show/7c2e65fc-c58b-4c5c-876e-88bcd0b865ff/id/37772070

Ep 87 - Why Updating Your Older Loved One Matters: From Summer Camp to Sourdough Starters 07/31/2025

Ep 86: How Different Experiences Build Stronger Grandkid/Grandparent Bonds 07/25/2025

Ep 85: Another Side of the Story: My Cousins Jeremy Reflects on Our Grandparents 07/17/2025

Ep 84: Helping Neurodivergent Kids Connect with Grandparents (Part 2 with Kim Botto) 06/26/2025

Ep 84: Helping Neurodivergent Kids Connect with Grandparents (Part 2 with Kim Botto) How do you explain autism or ADHD to a grandparent who just doesn’t get it yet? In this episode, Isabel Tom sits down with Kim Botto—a seasoned educator, speaker, and grandmother of eleven—to talk about how to help older generations understand neurodivergence in kids. This is part 2 of our conversation. With decades of experience in trauma-informed care and family ministry, Kim shares practical tips, heartfelt stories, and gentle language that grandparents can use to better connect with their neurodivergent grandkids. You’ll hear about her personal journey connecting with her autistic grandson, why ADHD is like having a race car brain with bicycle brakes (thanks to Dr. Ned Hallowell!), and how a shift in communication can make all the difference. Whether you're a parent trying to bridge the generational gap or a grandparent wanting to better support your grandchild, this episode offers encouragement, insight, and useful tools. Last week's episode - Highlights 3:45 - How to explain autism to a grandparent 5:22 - How to explain ADHD to grandparents 8:16 - Tips for grandparents/parents of autistic children 11:12 - The vitamin Dr. Edward Hallowell says is so valuable 13:32 - Kim Botto and how she learned to connect with her austitic grandson 17:52 - When you as a parent feel judged by bystanders, but also grandparents Get Kim Botto’s Book: Boundless Hope for Every Child – written for church leaders, but loved by parents and grandparents alike → Resources mentioned: Grab the Grandkid Investigator Kit at Uniquely Human by Barry Prizant Autism Out Loud When Johnny Doesn’t Flap (picture book) ADHD 2.0 and Driven to Distraction by Dr. Edward Hallowell 🎧 Show Notes: 📸 Connect on Instagram: 📖 Read The Value of Wrinkles: 📬 Join the email list: 🎤 Invite Isabel to speak: /episode/index/show/7c2e65fc-c58b-4c5c-876e-88bcd0b865ff/id/37162595

Ep 83: Helping Neurodivergent Kids Connect with Grandparents (Part 1 with Kim Botto) 06/20/2025

Ep 83: Helping Neurodivergent Kids Connect with Grandparents (Part 1 with Kim Botto) Do you have a child with autism, ADHD, or sensory needs—and wonder how to help them build a real connection with their grandparents? In this powerful episode of The Value of Wrinkles, host Isabel Tom shares her personal journey of discovering ADHD as an adult and parenting children who are wired differently. She’s joined by Kim Botto, a trauma-informed parenting expert and TBRI Practitioner®, to talk about how families can support neurodivergent children in forming meaningful, joy-filled relationships with their grandparents. 🎙️ You’ll hear: · Why differently wired kids often struggle in social/family situations · How to gently guide your child through interactions with older adults · Why neurodiverse-friendly tools (like the Grandkid Investigator Kit) can ease connection · Encouragement for parents who feel isolated or exhausted This episode is for you if you're raising a uniquely wired child and long to see them known, understood, and loved by the older generation. Highlights: 3:50 – How Kim got started working with kids with hidden disabilities 6:17 -What is a hidden disability? 8:28 – What to do when grandparents don’t believe the autism/adhd diagnosis? 12:27- How so many of their interactions are negative and the role of grandparnets. Connect with Kim Botto: Read Kim Botto’s Book: Boundless Hope for Every Child – written for church leaders, but loved by parents and grandparents alike → Resources mentioned: · “You can’t teach children to behave better by making them feel worse. When children feel better, they behave better.” – Pam Leo, Connection Parenting, · Use the Grandkid Investigator missions as a tool to help and guide your child through interaction with grandparents. 🎧 Show Notes: 👉 Listen to more episodes: 📸 Connect on Instagram: 📖 Read The Value of Wrinkles: 📬 Join the email list: 🎤 Invite Isabel to speak: /episode/index/show/7c2e65fc-c58b-4c5c-876e-88bcd0b865ff/id/37088090