Maureen Groden joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about end of life care for a loved one on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Maureen

Maureen Groden has been a hospice nurse and educator for several decades. She is the author of When a Loved One Is Dying: Conversations About Care, Connection, and Coping (Johns Hopkins University Press).

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.

Maureen Groden joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about end of life care for a loved one on this edition of Caregiver SOS.
About Maureen
Maureen Groden has been a hospice nurse and educator for several decades. She is the author of When a Loved One Is Dying: Conversations About Care, Connection, and Coping (Johns Hopkins University Press).
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.

End of Life Care for a Loved One: More Questions Than Answers with Maureen Groden

Here is a detailed episode description for the episode:

Prevention is the Best Medicine: Daily Habits for Healthy FeetEpisode Summary

With summer heatwaves sweeping the country, caring for our feet is more critical—and more complicated—than ever. In this episode of Caregiver SOS On Air, host Ron Aaron is joined by certified wound specialist physician Dr. Allison Larkin to discuss practical, everyday strategies for avoiding foot injuries, chronic wounds, and serious complications.

From the hidden dangers of walking barefoot on scorching surfaces to the unexpected items hiding inside your footwear, Dr. Larkin breaks down why wound care is often misunderstood and how simple, budget-friendly daily habits can keep you—and those you care for—out of the wound clinic. Whether you are managing diabetes, helping an aging loved one with daily hygiene, or just trying to navigate the summer heat safely, this episode delivers essential guidance to protect your health from the ground up.

Key Takeaways & Highlights


The Three Pillars of Preventative Foot Care: Dr. Larkin outlines the fundamental elements of long-term foot health: good hygiene, supportive shoes, and consistent monitoring.


The Summer Barefoot Trap: Walking barefoot outdoors during extreme heat—even for a quick trip across the pool deck—can lead to severe, slow-healing burns on the soles of your feet.


Safe Daily Hygiene Practices: Learn the right way to wash and thoroughly dry your feet (especially between the toes) to prevent blisters, fungal infections, and skin breakdown. Plus, discover why plain moisturizers like Vaseline, CeraVe, or Aquaphor work best, and why you should never put moisturizer between your toes.


Proper Nail Care & Pedicure Rules: Discover the proper technique for trimming toenails straight across to prevent painful ingrown nails. Dr. Larkin warns against using sharp objects like toothpicks under nails and shares important precautions for individuals with diabetes or peripheral arterial disease.


Footwear Essentials: Get expert tips on choosing shoes with a wide toe box and thick, flexible soles. Learn why you should always shop for shoes in the afternoon, break new pairs in slowly, and shake your shoes out before putting them on.


Basic Wound First Aid: Understand why wounds actually heal faster and stay safer when kept clean, slightly moist, and covered—debunking the common myth that "airing out" a wound is best.

About Dr. Larkin

Dr. Allyson Larkin earned her BA Magna Cum Laude in Zoology from Iowa State University and her Medical Degree with honors from Texas A&M University College of Medicine. She is board certified in Family Medicine and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine and is a Certified Wound Specialist Physician. Her specialty is healing chronic and complicated wounds, which she enjoys because it requires great attention to detail.

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.

Caregiver SOS On Air is a presentation of the WellMed Charitable Foundation. For more resources, tips, and past episodes, visit caregiversos.org or email your questions to radio@wellmed.net.

Here is a detailed episode description for the episode:
Prevention is the Best Medicine: Daily Habits for Healthy FeetEpisode Summary
With summer heatwaves sweeping the country, caring for our feet is more critical&mdash;and more complicated&mdash;than ever. In this episode of Caregiver SOS On Air, host Ron Aaron is joined by certified wound specialist physician Dr. Allison Larkin to discuss practical, everyday strategies for avoiding foot injuries, chronic wounds, and serious complications.
From the hidden dangers of walking barefoot on scorching surfaces to the unexpected items hiding inside your footwear, Dr. Larkin breaks down why wound care is often misunderstood and how simple, budget-friendly daily habits can keep you&mdash;and those you care for&mdash;out of the wound clinic. Whether you are managing diabetes, helping an aging loved one with daily hygiene, or just trying to navigate the summer heat safely, this episode delivers essential guidance to protect your health from the ground up.
Key Takeaways &amp; Highlights
<ul data-path-to-node="8">
<li>
The Three Pillars of Preventative Foot Care: Dr. Larkin outlines the fundamental elements of long-term foot health: good hygiene, supportive shoes, and consistent monitoring.
</li>
<li>
The Summer Barefoot Trap: Walking barefoot outdoors during extreme heat&mdash;even for a quick trip across the pool deck&mdash;can lead to severe, slow-healing burns on the soles of your feet.
</li>
<li>
Safe Daily Hygiene Practices: Learn the right way to wash and thoroughly dry your feet (especially between the toes) to prevent blisters, fungal infections, and skin breakdown. Plus, discover why plain moisturizers like Vaseline, CeraVe, or Aquaphor work best, and why you should never put moisturizer between your toes.
</li>
<li>
Proper Nail Care &amp; Pedicure Rules: Discover the proper technique for trimming toenails straight across to prevent painful ingrown nails. Dr. Larkin warns against using sharp objects like toothpicks under nails and shares important precautions for individuals with diabetes or peripheral arterial disease.
</li>
<li>
Footwear Essentials: Get expert tips on choosing shoes with a wide toe box and thick, flexible soles. Learn why you should always shop for shoes in the afternoon, break new pairs in slowly, and shake your shoes out before putting them on.
</li>
<li>
Basic Wound First Aid: Understand why wounds actually heal faster and stay safer when kept clean, slightly moist, and covered&mdash;debunking the common myth that "airing out" a wound is best.
</li>
</ul>
About Dr. Larkin
Dr. Allyson Larkin earned her BA Magna Cum Laude in Zoology from Iowa State University and her Medical Degree with honors from Texas A&amp;M University College of Medicine. She is board certified in Family Medicine and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine and is a Certified Wound Specialist Physician. Her specialty is healing chronic and complicated wounds, which she enjoys because it requires great attention to detail.
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.
Caregiver SOS On Air is a presentation of the WellMed Charitable Foundation. For more resources, tips, and past episodes, visit caregiversos.org or email your questions to radio@wellmed.net.

Prevention is the Best Medicine: Daily Habits for Healthy Feet | Allyson Larkin

In this episode of Caregiver S.O.S. On Air, host Ron Aaron is joined by comedian, author, speaker, and educator Danny Klein-Modisett, founder of Laughter On Call. Danny shares her journey of navigating her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and how an unexpected moment of humor transformed her approach to caregiving, leading to the creation of an organization that brings comic relief and connection to seniors, family members, and professional caregivers nationwide.

Main Topics Covered


The Origin of Laughter On Call: How hiring a comedian to engage her mother led Danny to discover the profound impact of laughter on cognition, mood, and trust.


The Science and Benefits of Laughter: How shared humor releases endorphins and dopamine, boosts oxygen intake, improves memory retention, and helps break down the sense of isolation often felt by those with dementia.


Affiliative Humor vs. Misuse of Humor: Why inclusive, warm, and bonding humor builds psychological safety, whereas mockery or sarcasm shuts people down.


Improv & Stand-Up Tools for Caregivers: How adopting a comedian’s mindset—learning to "reset" after a bad moment, letting go of rigid expectations, and avoiding argument through "Yes, and..." principles—prevents caregiver burnout.


Connecting Through Virtual & Corporate Programs: How Laughter On Call expanded during the pandemic to offer interactive virtual workshops, corporate team-building, and workplace morale-boosting.

Key Takeaways for Caregivers


Laughter Builds Instant Trust: A single moment of shared, authentic laughter can lower defenses, build psychological safety, and foster trust between care recipients and caregivers.


Practice the Art of the "Reset": Just like a stand-up comic who recovers after a joke flops, caregivers can benefit from letting go of rigid schedules and quickly resetting when things don't go according to plan.


Meet Them Where They Are: "Knowing your audience" in caregiving means accepting the individual’s current reality rather than trying to correct them or pull them into yours.


Showing Up Matters: Showing up with reasonable expectations and self-care directly impacts the care recipient’s well-being and helps mitigate caregiver depression.

About Dani

Dani Klein Modisett is the Founder/CEO of Laughter On Call. She is also a comedian/actor and author of the book, “ Take My Spouse, Please. ” a part-memoir, part how-to for creating shared laughter to keep your marriage happy and healthy. Dani taught Stand-Up at UCLA for 10 years and has coached keynote speakers, business leaders, and Congressional candidates to use more humor in their communication. She has been a speaker at CALA, ICAA, Stanford, MIT, Columbia, UCLA, Dartmouth, Fuqua and Harvard Business School where Laughter On Call is currently being used as a case study. Her TEDx talk was chosen as an Editor’s Pick, “What My Mother’s Alzheimer’s Taught Me About Alzheimer’s"

Resources Mentioned


Laughter On Call:laughteroncall.com


Danny Klein-Modisett:kleincomedy.com

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.

Caregiver SOS On Air is a presentation of the WellMed Charitable Foundation. For more resources, tips, and past episodes, visit caregiversos.org or email your questions to radio@wellmed.net.

In this episode of Caregiver S.O.S. On Air, host Ron Aaron is joined by comedian, author, speaker, and educator Danny Klein-Modisett, founder of Laughter On Call. Danny shares her journey of navigating her mother&rsquo;s Alzheimer&rsquo;s diagnosis and how an unexpected moment of humor transformed her approach to caregiving, leading to the creation of an organization that brings comic relief and connection to seniors, family members, and professional caregivers nationwide.
Main Topics Covered
<ul data-path-to-node="6">
<li>
The Origin of Laughter On Call: How hiring a comedian to engage her mother led Danny to discover the profound impact of laughter on cognition, mood, and trust.
</li>
<li>
The Science and Benefits of Laughter: How shared humor releases endorphins and dopamine, boosts oxygen intake, improves memory retention, and helps break down the sense of isolation often felt by those with dementia.
</li>
<li>
Affiliative Humor vs. Misuse of Humor: Why inclusive, warm, and bonding humor builds psychological safety, whereas mockery or sarcasm shuts people down.
</li>
<li>
Improv &amp; Stand-Up Tools for Caregivers: How adopting a comedian&rsquo;s mindset&mdash;learning to "reset" after a bad moment, letting go of rigid expectations, and avoiding argument through "Yes, and..." principles&mdash;prevents caregiver burnout.
</li>
<li>
Connecting Through Virtual &amp; Corporate Programs: How Laughter On Call expanded during the pandemic to offer interactive virtual workshops, corporate team-building, and workplace morale-boosting.
</li>
</ul>
Key Takeaways for Caregivers
<ol data-path-to-node="9">
<li>
Laughter Builds Instant Trust: A single moment of shared, authentic laughter can lower defenses, build psychological safety, and foster trust between care recipients and caregivers.
</li>
<li>
Practice the Art of the "Reset": Just like a stand-up comic who recovers after a joke flops, caregivers can benefit from letting go of rigid schedules and quickly resetting when things don't go according to plan.
</li>
<li>
Meet Them Where They Are: "Knowing your audience" in caregiving means accepting the individual&rsquo;s current reality rather than trying to correct them or pull them into yours.
</li>
<li>
Showing Up Matters: Showing up with reasonable expectations and self-care directly impacts the care recipient&rsquo;s well-being and helps mitigate caregiver depression.
</li>
</ol>
About Dani
Dani Klein Modisett is the Founder/CEO of Laughter On Call. She is also a comedian/actor and author of the book, &ldquo; Take My Spouse, Please. &rdquo; a part-memoir, part how-to for creating shared laughter to keep your marriage happy and healthy. Dani taught Stand-Up at UCLA for 10 years and has coached keynote speakers, business leaders, and Congressional candidates to use more humor in their communication. She has been a speaker at CALA, ICAA, Stanford, MIT, Columbia, UCLA, Dartmouth, Fuqua and Harvard Business School where Laughter On Call is currently being used as a case study. Her TEDx talk was chosen as an Editor&rsquo;s Pick, &ldquo;What My Mother&rsquo;s Alzheimer&rsquo;s Taught Me About Alzheimer&rsquo;s"
Resources Mentioned
<ul data-path-to-node="12">
<li>
Laughter On Call: <a href="https://www.laughteroncall.com/" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwiBgML2jfaVAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQhAI">laughteroncall.com</a>
</li>
<li>
Danny Klein-Modisett: <a href="https://www.kleincomedy.com/" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwiBgML2jfaVAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQhgI">kleincomedy.com</a>
</li>
</ul>
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.
Caregiver SOS On Air is a presentation of the WellMed Charitable Foundation. For more resources, tips, and past episodes, visit caregiversos.org or email your questions to radio@wellmed.net.

The Healing Power of Laughter in Alzheimer’s Care | Dani Klein Modisett

Here is a detailed episode description tailored for your show notes and podcast platforms:

Episode Title: Reframing Aging: Overcoming Ageism in Caregiving & Daily LifeEpisode Summary

Ageism is everywhere—from everyday birthday cards and healthcare visits to workplace dynamics and the subtle ways we talk to ourselves. Yet, despite being one of the most pervasive forms of discrimination, it remains one of the least discussed. In this episode of Caregiver S.O.S. On Air, hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial sit down with Tina Smith, Director of Caregiving Programs at the WellMed Charitable Foundation, to dissect how deeply ingrained age bias impacts both family caregivers and older adults.

Together, they explore the concept of "therapeutic nihilism" in medicine, the dangerous myth that aging equals decline, and how language like "you look great for your age" unintentionally reinforces stereotypes. Drawing from research by the Frameworks Institute and the National Center to Reframe Aging, Tina shares practical insights on how to shift our internal dialogues, build intergenerational connections, and challenge ageist assumptions in daily life.

Key Takeaways & Highlights


What Is Ageism? How stereotyping and prejudice based on age begin as early as childhood through media, advertisements, and culture.


The Caregiver Connection: How ageism can skew a caregiver’s view of their care recipient—and how society’s perception of aging adds extra burden to caregivers.


Ageism in Healthcare: Understanding "therapeutic nihilism," where medical providers dismiss real health issues as "just getting old," and why self-advocacy is vital.


Language Matters: The power of reframing everyday terms—such as shifting from "senior citizen" to "older adult"—and avoiding subtle backhanded compliments.


Bridging the Generational Gap: Why ageism cuts both ways, affecting younger generations as well, and how initiatives like Generations Over Dinner foster empathy across age groups.


Changing Your Internal Narrative: Practical steps to catch yourself when internalizing ageist beliefs and why adding life to our years means rejecting self-imposed limitations. 

About Tina

Tina Smith, Director of Caregiver Programs at the WellMed Charitable Foundation, is a dedicated leader in social gerontology and senior support. Based in the San Antonio area, she oversees operations for the foundation's Caregiver SOS programs, which provide education, resources, and support to family caregivers.

Which podcast platforms or social media outlets are you planning to share this on? I can tailor promotional posts or short-form teasers to match!

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.

Caregiver SOS On Air is a presentation of the WellMed Charitable Foundation. For more resources, tips, and past episodes, visit caregiversos.org or email your questions to radio@wellmed.net.

Here is a detailed episode description tailored for your show notes and podcast platforms:
Episode Title: Reframing Aging: Overcoming Ageism in Caregiving &amp; Daily LifeEpisode Summary
Ageism is everywhere&mdash;from everyday birthday cards and healthcare visits to workplace dynamics and the subtle ways we talk to ourselves. Yet, despite being one of the most pervasive forms of discrimination, it remains one of the least discussed. In this episode of Caregiver S.O.S. On Air, hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial sit down with Tina Smith, Director of Caregiving Programs at the WellMed Charitable Foundation, to dissect how deeply ingrained age bias impacts both family caregivers and older adults.
Together, they explore the concept of "therapeutic nihilism" in medicine, the dangerous myth that aging equals decline, and how language like "you look great for your age" unintentionally reinforces stereotypes. Drawing from research by the Frameworks Institute and the National Center to Reframe Aging, Tina shares practical insights on how to shift our internal dialogues, build intergenerational connections, and challenge ageist assumptions in daily life.
Key Takeaways &amp; Highlights
<ul data-path-to-node="8">
<li>
What Is Ageism? How stereotyping and prejudice based on age begin as early as childhood through media, advertisements, and culture.
</li>
<li>
The Caregiver Connection: How ageism can skew a caregiver&rsquo;s view of their care recipient&mdash;and how society&rsquo;s perception of aging adds extra burden to caregivers.
</li>
<li>
Ageism in Healthcare: Understanding "therapeutic nihilism," where medical providers dismiss real health issues as "just getting old," and why self-advocacy is vital.
</li>
<li>
Language Matters: The power of reframing everyday terms&mdash;such as shifting from "senior citizen" to "older adult"&mdash;and avoiding subtle backhanded compliments.
</li>
<li>
Bridging the Generational Gap: Why ageism cuts both ways, affecting younger generations as well, and how initiatives like Generations Over Dinner foster empathy across age groups.
</li>
<li>
Changing Your Internal Narrative: Practical steps to catch yourself when internalizing ageist beliefs and why adding life to our years means rejecting self-imposed limitations.&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
About Tina
Tina Smith, Director of Caregiver Programs at the WellMed Charitable Foundation, is a dedicated leader in social gerontology and senior support. Based in the San Antonio area, she oversees operations for the foundation's Caregiver SOS programs, which provide education, resources, and support to family caregivers.
Which podcast platforms or social media outlets are you planning to share this on? I can tailor promotional posts or short-form teasers to match!
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.
Caregiver SOS On Air is a presentation of the WellMed Charitable Foundation. For more resources, tips, and past episodes, visit caregiversos.org or email your questions to radio@wellmed.net.

End of Life Care for a Loved One: More Questions Than Answers with Maureen Groden

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