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Summary

In this conversation, Allison Schrier shares her profound journey as a caregiver for her husband, diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, while raising two children. She discusses the emotional turmoil of navigating grief, the challenges of parenting through loss, and the importance of maintaining family dynamics. Allison reflects on her transformation from caregiver to dementia educator, emphasizing the need for resources and support for families dealing with similar situations. The conversation highlights resilience, the complexities of caregiving, and the creation of Zinnia TV, a resource aimed at helping caregivers and individuals with dementia.

Takeaways

• Allison's journey began with her husband's diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.
• Navigating grief while parenting is a complex emotional experience.
• It's important for caregivers to express their emotions to their children.
• The impact of dementia on family dynamics can be profound and challenging.
• Making the decision to seek care for a loved one is often difficult but necessary.
• Allison transformed her pain into purpose by becoming a dementia educator.
• Support groups for children of caregivers are crucial but often lacking.
• Resilience is a key factor in overcoming adversity in caregiving.
• Zinnia TV was created to provide resources for caregivers and individuals with dementia.
• Setting expectations for survival and success can lead to positive outcomes.

About the Guest

Allyson Schrier, co-founder and President of ZinniaTV, was a caregiver for her husband with dementia, who turned that experience into a career focused on helping both people with dementia and those who care for them. As a dementia educator, Allyson taught both family and professional caregivers best practices around supporting people with dementia. As Program Manager at the University of Washington Memory and Brain Wellness Center, she helped launch, and then facilitated a program aimed at helping primary and allied healthcare providers better diagnose and support patients living with dementia. Allyson was honored to be a recipient of a 2020 Maude’s Awards for Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care, and was named Visionary Caregiver of 2020 by caregiving.com. She sits on the Health and Medical subcommittee of the Washington State Dementia Action Collaborative, facilitates support groups for spouses of people with dementia, and lectures on topics about dementia caregiving.

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/avschrier/
• www.zinniatv.com
• @zinnia_tv (tik tok and instagram)

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The Aging Together Caregiver Hub is a FREE community for family caregivers of older adults. Join us today to find a peer network and access our learning studio with simple, bite-sized content, resources, and a support group.

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Summary:

In this episode of the Aging Together podcast, Dr. Pooja A. Patel interviews Dawn Marie Johnson, a seasoned professional in the senior living industry. They discuss the evolution of supportive living options, the importance of family involvement, and the challenges faced by caregivers. Dawn shares her personal journey into the industry, emphasizing the significance of holistic well-being and the role of technology in enhancing the quality of life for seniors. The conversation also touches on the future of senior living communities, the need for affordability, and the importance of starting the search for senior living early.

Takeaways:

• Dawn Marie Johnson has over 20 years of experience in senior living.
• Supportive living options include both home care and community living.
• Aging in place allows seniors to maintain their sense of home.
• Family involvement is crucial in the transition to senior living.
• Isolation is a significant issue for seniors that can affect health.
• Holistic well-being encompasses mind, body, and spirit.
• Technology should enhance, not replace, human connection.
• Community engagement activities are vital for resident happiness.
• The baby boomer generation is reshaping senior living expectations.
• Starting the search for senior living early can ease the transition.

About the Guest:

Dawn joined Wingate Living in 2016 and serves as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing. She is responsible for overseeing sales and marketing functions, including developing and implementing a cohesive marketing plan to increase brand awareness, sales strategies, occupancy growth, and market analysis to identify areas of growth.

Dawn brings to this position over 20 years of experience in the senior living industry, including roles in dementia training, sales leadership, and mentoring. Prior to her role as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Wingate, she served as Regional Sales and Marketing Director, Senior Sales Director, and Area Director of Community Relations.

Dawn is driven by her desire to coach, mentor, and lead her teams with a compassionate approach. Her background, experience, and double major in Marketing and Sociology from Southern Connecticut University help her work closely to understand the needs of families searching for senior living options.

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-marie-johnson-56ab2710/

S4 Sponsor: SafetyGrip, by Hartmobility
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The Aging Together Caregiver Hub is a FREE community for family caregivers of older adults. Join us today to find a peer network and access our learning studio with simple, bite-sized content, resources, and a support group.

S4 Sponsor: SafetyGrip, by Hartmobility
Patented anti-slip grip technology for all your home safety needs.

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Summary

In this conversation, Amy Martin Quinn shares her experiences as a communications executive turned patient advocate, navigating the complexities of the sandwich generation. She discusses her personal health challenges, the impact of caregiving for her parents while raising her daughters, and the importance of community support. Amy emphasizes the concept of radical acceptance, the necessity of setting boundaries, and the cultural dynamics that influence caregiving roles. Through her journey, she highlights the significance of allowing others to help and the emotional toll of caregiving, especially during times of grief.

Takeaways

• Amy's journey into patient advocacy was inspired by personal experiences with family health issues.
• The sandwich generation faces unique challenges, balancing care for aging parents and children.
• Radical acceptance has been a crucial skill for navigating life's challenges.
• Community support plays a vital role in caregiving and emotional well-being.
• Grief can complicate the caregiving experience, making it essential to process emotions.
• Setting boundaries is necessary to prevent burnout in caregiving roles.
• Cultural dynamics influence how siblings participate in caregiving.
• Becoming a patient advocate was a natural progression for Amy after her experiences.
• The smallest gestures of support can significantly impact caregivers.
• It's important to acknowledge the difficulties of caregiving without feeling guilty.

About the Guest

Amy Martin Quinn is a seasoned communications executive and Board Certified Patient Advocate who brings empathy, strategy, and clarity to both corporate and healthcare environments. With more than 25 years of experience in communications, Amy has built a career around helping people understand complex systems and make informed decisions.

Her pivot into patient advocacy was inspired by personal experience: navigating breast cancer, supporting her daughter’s mental health journey, guiding her father through Parkinson’s disease, and helping her mother manage heart disease. These experiences deepened her passion for helping others through the emotional and logistical challenges of the healthcare system.

Amy now uses her communication expertise to empower patients and families—translating medical jargon, streamlining insurance and billing issues, and ensuring people feel confident and heard in their healthcare decisions. Her work centers on making care more accessible, less overwhelming, and deeply human.

S4 Sponsor: SafetyGrip, by Hartmobility
Patented anti-slip grip technology for all your home safety needs.

The Aging Together Caregiver Hub is a FREE community for family caregivers of older adults. Join us today to find a peer network and access our learning studio with simple, bite-sized content, resources, and a support group.

S4 Sponsor: SafetyGrip, by Hartmobility
Patented anti-slip grip technology for all your home safety needs.

Support the show