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In this episode of the Ask Dr. Mia podcast, Dr. Mia speaks with Jeannine Bryant, a downsizing expert, about the challenges and emotional aspects of helping seniors transition to smaller living spaces. They discuss the concept of "right sizing", the importance of planning, and when to seek professional help.

Jeannine shares practical tips for decluttering, navigating family dynamics, and handling crisis situations, especially for those with memory issues. The conversation emphasizes the emotional journey involved in sorting through belongings and the importance of timing in the moving process, along with resources available for families.

Takeaways

Right sizing is about finding the perfect balance in living space.
Planning ahead is crucial for a smooth transition.
Professional help can ease the burden of moving.
Emotional attachments to belongings can complicate downsizing.
Start the decluttering process early to avoid overwhelm.
Focus on keepsakes that bring joy and memories.
Family dynamics can create tension during the moving process.
Crisis situations require careful planning and support.
It's important to respect the wishes of the older adult.
Resources are available to assist families in the transition process.

Rightsizing expert Jeannine Bryant is the owner and CEO of Changing Spaces SRS, a senior move management company in Lincoln, Nebraska. She has helped provide rightsizing and relocation services to seniors since 2010. During that time, she has been actively involved in the downsizing and moving processes of thousands of older adults.

She is the author two books on the rightsizing process, Keep the Memories, Not the Stuff and Ready to Rightsize? A step-by-step guide to your rightsizing journey.

She provides free resources filled with downsizing tips for older adults on her website www.EasyRightsizing.com, including downloadable worksheets, books, and an online course to guide people through the downsizing process with ease.

Bryant has been featured on numerous podcasts and is a regular contributor on various TV news stations. Originally from North Dakota, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern College in Orange City, IA and a Master of Arts degree from University of Nebraska – Lincoln.

Website: https://easyrightsizing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EasyRightsizing/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/easyrightsizing/

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Video on Ask Dr. Mia YouTube channel
Transcripts on www.miayangmd.com. Transcripts are automatically generated and may contain minor inaccuracies.
Email: ask@miayangmd.com
Opinions expressed are exclusive of Dr. Mia Yang and not reflective of her or guest speaker's employers or funders.

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Summary

In this episode of Ask Dr. Mia, Dr. Mia shares her personal journey as a caregiver for her mother, who passed away from ovarian cancer. She discusses the challenges of navigating caregiving, grief, and the complexities of relationships between caregivers and their aging parents. Dr. Mia emphasizes the importance of understanding and accepting the wishes of loved ones, especially when it comes to treatment options, and reflects on her own experiences and feelings of unresolved anger and abandonment. The podcast aims to provide valuable insights and support for caregivers and those dealing with aging-related issues.

Takeaways

Dr. Mia shares her personal journey as a caregiver.

The importance of understanding the wishes of loved ones.

Navigating the complexities of caregiver relationships.

Grief counseling can help caregivers cope with their emotions.

Alternative treatments can be a point of contention in caregiving.

The podcast aims to bridge the gap in geriatric knowledge for the lay audience.

Caregiving often brings unresolved feelings to the surface.

Communication styles can differ significantly between generations.

Acceptance of a parent's limitations is crucial in caregiving.

The podcast serves as a voice of solidarity for caregivers.

Support the show

Video on Ask Dr. Mia YouTube channel
Transcripts on www.miayangmd.com. Transcripts are automatically generated and may contain minor inaccuracies.
Email: ask@miayangmd.com
Opinions expressed are exclusive of Dr. Mia Yang and not reflective of her or guest speaker's employers or funders.

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In this special crossover episode Dr. Mia is interviewed by Rachel Zimmer, host of "The Hygge Nurse." In this episode they discuss Dr. Mia's origin stories- how she decided to go into geriatrics and her current career focus. Rachel and Mia also talk about a recent study they worked on, which examined at the impact of caregiving, specifically on Black and Latino populations. They also discuss caregiving tips, including managing stress and navigating the healthcare system. Links to "The Hygge Nurse" podcast and other resources are below.

Dr. Mia podcast will take a hiatus after this episode.

Resources List:

The Hygge Nurse Hosted by Rachel Zimmer

https://www.hyggeabode.com/pages/the-hygge-nurse-podcast

UCLA Caregiver Education Videos and Resources:

https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/geriatrics/dementia/caregiver-education

Creating Moments of Joy Along the Alzheimer's Journey by Jolene Brackey

https://www.enhancedmoments.com/

Dementia Matters Podcast:

- Podcast by the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center on memory care research.

Brain Spotting Music on Spotify:

- Bilateral auditory stimulation music for stress relief.

https://brainspotting.com/

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kHWc_TguRKMYgq0b_4ajY8phTP-VfhDYk


Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Caregiver Well-Being:

- Importance of self-care for caregivers.

- Strategies to find moments of respite and self-care activities.

- Differentiating between internal thoughts and external constraints to reduce self-blame.

2. Navigating the Healthcare System:

- Challenges caregivers face in the healthcare system.

- Tips for managing transitions of care, such as moving from home to hospital.

- Importance of clear communication and finding language-concordant care.

3. Practical Tips for Caregiving:

- Handling common dementia-related behaviors like refusal to bathe or take medications.

- Importance of creating joyful moments despite the challenges.

- Utilizing mindfulness, journaling, and bilateral stimulation techniques like brain spotting for stress relief.

4. Research Insights:

- Overview of a study on the well-being of Black and Latino caregivers.

- Impact of cultural and language barriers on caregiver experiences.

- Importance of presence and empathetic listening in caregiving.

Support the show

Video on Ask Dr. Mia YouTube channel
Transcripts on www.miayangmd.com. Transcripts are automatically generated and may contain minor inaccuracies.
Email: ask@miayangmd.com
Opinions expressed are exclusive of Dr. Mia Yang and not reflective of her or guest speaker's employers or funders.