Dr. Melanie Simpson joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernial to talk about compassion, caregiving, and lessons learned from experiences on this edition of Caregiver SOS. 

About Dr. Simpson

Dr. Simpson earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, West Indies. Her residency was at Greenville Hospital in South Carolina. Dr. Melanie Simpson, MD is a devoted Primary Care Physician who prioritizes patient-centered care with a focus on compassion, trust, and attentive listening. She believes every individual deserves to be seen, heard, and valued, and she works to create a space where healing begins with connection. With a strong interest in counseling and mentorship, Dr. Simpson supports the next generation of healthcare professionals while continuing her own journey of lifelong learning. She remains committed to personal and professional growth, continually evolving in her approach to care. Dr. Simpson also models the principles she teaches by living a balanced life—blending her passion for medicine with wellness, family, and faith.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Dr. Melanie Simpson joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernial to talk about compassion, caregiving, and lessons learned from experiences on this edition of Caregiver SOS.&nbsp;
About Dr. Simpson
Dr. Simpson earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, West Indies. Her residency was at Greenville Hospital in South Carolina. Dr. Melanie Simpson, MD is a devoted Primary Care Physician who prioritizes patient-centered care with a focus on compassion, trust, and attentive listening. She believes every individual deserves to be seen, heard, and valued, and she works to create a space where healing begins with connection. With a strong interest in counseling and mentorship, Dr. Simpson supports the next generation of healthcare professionals while continuing her own journey of lifelong learning. She remains committed to personal and professional growth, continually evolving in her approach to care. Dr. Simpson also models the principles she teaches by living a balanced life&mdash;blending her passion for medicine with wellness, family, and faith.
Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Hear Caregiver SOS every Sunday at 6pm on News Ta…

Caregiver SOS

Hosts: Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Hosts: Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Compassion, Caregiving, & Lessons Learned with Dr. Melanie Simpson

Kyle Woody joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about male caregivers on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Kyle

Kyle Woody strengthens the most invisible of all non-professional caregivers – the men. He gives them the strength to ask for help, the strength to show up with heart, and the strength to care as much for themselves as they do for others. With over a decade of dedicated service, he has been steadfast in his mission to reshape how men engage with their caregiving responsibilities, ensuring they are equipped to handle the emotional and logistical demands with confidence. His experience cultivating culture change in the construction industry informs his work supporting men who are caregivers. He aims to build a community that will strengthen at least one million caregiving men by 2035 and set a bold new standard for caregiver support in the process. 

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Kyle Woody joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about male caregivers on this edition of Caregiver SOS.
About Kyle
Kyle Woody strengthens the most invisible of all non-professional caregivers &ndash; the men. He gives them the strength to ask for help, the strength to show up with heart, and the strength to care as much for themselves as they do for others. With over a decade of dedicated service, he has been steadfast in his mission to reshape how men engage with their caregiving responsibilities, ensuring they are equipped to handle the emotional and logistical demands with confidence. His experience cultivating culture change in the construction industry informs his work supporting men who are caregivers. He aims to build a community that will strengthen at least one million caregiving men by 2035 and set a bold new standard for caregiver support in the process.&nbsp;
Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Strengthening Male Caregivers with Kyle Woody

Felicia Gibson joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about marriage, caregiving, career, and the hidden strain of limited support on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Felicia

Felicia Gibson has held many titles throughout her life but becoming a caregiver was not one she anticipated. However, it was bestowed to her in 2018 after her then boyfriend, now husband, was injured while letting their dog out before bed. He happened to be outside while criminals were breaking into cars and as they drove away, they shot multiple rounds out of the car window. One of those bullets shattered his T1 vertebrae and now lives with quadriplegia. Since that day Felicia has been active in advocating for those living with mobility issues and their caregivers. She has volunteered as a Regional Champion, Paralysis Resource Ambassador, and a Peer Mentor for the Christopher and Dana Reeve foundation and through their nomination have been appointed to the ACL RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council. She enjoys reading, writing, and spending quality like with her Boos (4 of her best friends) and family. She lives in Southeastern Georgia with her husband, her mother, along with their dog, and cats.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Felicia Gibson joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about marriage, caregiving, career, and the hidden strain of limited support on this edition of Caregiver SOS.
About Felicia
Felicia Gibson has held many titles throughout her life but becoming a caregiver was not one she anticipated. However, it was bestowed to her in 2018 after her then boyfriend, now husband, was injured while letting their dog out before bed. He happened to be outside while criminals were breaking into cars and as they drove away, they shot multiple rounds out of the car window. One of those bullets shattered his T1 vertebrae and now lives with quadriplegia. Since that day Felicia has been active in advocating for those living with mobility issues and their caregivers. She has volunteered as a Regional Champion, Paralysis Resource Ambassador, and a Peer Mentor for the Christopher and Dana Reeve foundation and through their nomination have been appointed to the ACL RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council. She enjoys reading, writing, and spending quality like with her Boos (4 of her best friends) and family. She lives in Southeastern Georgia with her husband, her mother, along with their dog, and cats.
Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

 Balancing Love, Labor, & Life: Marriage, Caregiving, Career, and the Hidden Strain of Limited Support  with Felicia Gibson

Mary Ek joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about how the DFA Movement (Dementia Friendly America) is creating communities where people living with Dementia and their care partners can live, engage, and thrive on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Mary

Mary Ek joined USAging in 2021. As the Director for Community Care Corps and Dementia Friendly America, Mary supports Community Care Corps grantees, dementia-friendly communities and Dementia Friends administrators by providing technical assistance, facilitating learning collaboratives and webinars, and managing the development and sharing of resources.

Mary’s career began as an educator. For 20 years, Mary served as an educator and administrator in various schools and as the Education Director for Volunteers of America Minnesota. In 2011, Mary joined the Collective Action Lab where she served as a Program Director, Project Leader and Manager for various collaborations and initiatives, one of which was Act on Alzheimer’s. Mary was a pioneer and leader in the development of Dementia Friendly America and supported USAging as it acquired the role of DFA administrator. Mary has significant experience in working on issues central to the mission of USAging’s members. Following her time at the Collective Action Lab, Mary served as a consultant to USAging and many of its Area Agency on Aging members on several projects, including Dementia Friendly America and Community Care Corps. Mary holds a Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Education from the University of Notre Dame. 

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Mary Ek joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about how the DFA Movement (Dementia Friendly America) is creating communities where people living with Dementia and their care partners can live, engage, and thrive on this edition of Caregiver SOS.
About Mary
Mary Ek joined USAging in 2021. As the Director for Community Care Corps and Dementia Friendly America, Mary supports Community Care Corps grantees, dementia-friendly communities and Dementia Friends administrators by providing technical assistance, facilitating learning collaboratives and webinars, and managing the development and sharing of resources.
Mary&rsquo;s career began as an educator. For 20 years, Mary served as an educator and administrator in various schools and as the Education Director for Volunteers of America Minnesota. In 2011, Mary joined the Collective Action Lab where she served as a Program Director, Project Leader and Manager for various collaborations and initiatives, one of which was Act on Alzheimer&rsquo;s. Mary was a pioneer and leader in the development of Dementia Friendly America and supported USAging as it acquired the role of DFA administrator. Mary has significant experience in working on issues central to the mission of USAging&rsquo;s members. Following her time at the Collective Action Lab, Mary served as a consultant to USAging and many of its Area Agency on Aging members on several projects, including Dementia Friendly America and Community Care Corps. Mary holds a Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Education from the University of Notre Dame.&nbsp;
Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Compassion, Caregiving, & Lessons Learned with Dr. Melanie Simpson

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