The Agewyz Podcast

From Ragged Edge to California Cool

Episode Summary

When her husband proposed a month’s vacation in Mexico, Susan Reid hesitated - fearful of being away from her elderly parents for so long. Susan’s mother is diabetic and her father has dementia. On the show Susan tells us how that trip to Mexico played out and how moving her parents to an elder-friendly community helped her survive caregiver burnout.

Episode Notes

When her husband proposed a month’s vacation in Mexico, Susan Reid hesitated - fearful of being away from her elderly parents for so long. Susan’s mother is diabetic and her father has dementia. Neither parent drives, unless you count the golf cart Susan calls “the clown car.” In today’s episode she tells us how that trip to Mexico played out and how moving her parents to an elder-friendly community helped Susan survive caregiver burnout. She talks about her mother’s near-fatal trip to the hospital on a Halloween night, she offers her perspective on aging in America and she tells us what it’s like to get the senior discount without even asking for it. Susan also gives us the scoop on her non-caregiving siblings, including her free-spirited brother—who rents out his goats to the state of Nevada. Note: this episode originally aired on April 9, 2016. Stay tuned to the end of this airing for an update.

State-by-State help for family caregivers (interactive map): https://bit.ly/1WTd9aH

Senior Resource Guide for residents of Alameda County (CA): https://bit.ly/2EpiMhN

Music: “Kelli's Number” by U.S. Army Blues | Public Domain | Free Music Archive