Jay Newton-Small is the CEO and founder of MemoryWell, a national network of more than 700 writers who tell the life stories of seniors to help improve their care. On this episode of How We Got Here, Jay talks about her father's Alzheimer's diagnosis, the ways caregiving affected her mother's health, and how her perspective on caregiving changed once she became his primary caregiver. She explains the accommodations she made in order to keep her father safe in her home and the moment she realized she could no longer care for him on her own. Jay also discloses both the challenging and humorous moments caring for her dad and how the experience led to the creation of MemoryWell. She explains how storytelling can transform our outcomes-driven healthcare system and help us increase empathy for others. Chris and Jay reflect on practicing forgiveness in caregiving--both to oneself and to those on the receiving end of care.
Tap here for more information on MemoryWell.
This season of How We Got Here is sponsored by Anthem.
How We Got Here Podcast
Whether we’re in it or bearing witness to it, caregiving impacts everyone and profoundly shapes our purpose and identity. How We Got Here is a podcast that enriches our understanding of what it means to give and receive care by talking to people about the circumstances that introduced them to caregiving and how these experiences changed them.
Meet the Hosts
Affectionately known as “The Bow Tie Guy” to a vast network of family caregivers, Chris MacLellan is the Founder and CEO of The Whole Care Network™ and the author of “What’s The Deal with Caregiving?” Chris brings his signature soothing style to How We Got Here.
Christina Best is a writer and editor, and she is currently the editor-in-chief of Caregiving.com. Christina is committed to creating opportunities for caregivers and those that support them to connect and share stories and information.
Bill Odman, the “OD” in ODVOX Productions, is a full-time professional podcast producer and voice-over talent living in the American Midwest. Bill brings a varied and successful background spanning more than 35 years in information technology, management, health care, and performance to voiceover and podcast production projects.
Bill is an Executive Producer for and the “voice” of the Whole Care Network (WCN). You can hear his work on such podcasts as “Healing Ties 2.0” (WCN) and “Your Future Self” (WCN), “PodPourri” (The Ehlers Group), and upcoming podcasts from Caregiving.com, as well as the audiobook Gay Rights and the Mormon Church: Intended Actions, Unintended Consequences (available on Audible and iTunes).