Living Forever, Not an Option

Ahead of Veterans Day, this special episode is focused on the benefits our veterans deserve and qualify for. Host Mary Crowe welcomes on two members of Cape Ann Veterans Services, who talk about how Massachusetts vets and their families can seek out assistance and what types of benefits they are eligible for.

Yes, doctors still make house calls! This episode includes a discussion of HomeMD, which is a primary care service at Care Dimensions that benefits patients who may have a difficult time making it to a doctor's office. Instead, we come to where the patient lives. Learn more: CareDimensions.org/HomeMD

Children grieve differently than adults and often need help understanding and expressing their feelings during, what can be, a confusing time. Mary's guest this episode is Sammy McCarthy, Children's Program Manager at Care Dimensions. Learn more: CareDimensions.org/Grief

How can you best support someone with Alzheimer's? Where can you find the support you might need? This episode's guest is Nicole McGurin , Programs & Services Director for the MA/NH Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline 800-272-3900 alz.org

Grief has no timetable. It may come in waves during the turbulent months of a loved one’s illness and then intensify after he or she has passed away. In this episode of Timing is Everything, Director of Bereavement Services Patrice DePasquale and Bereavement Coordinator Robert Hagopian talk about the grief support services offered by Care Dimensions and why they're so important. CareDimensions.org/Grief

How do you get through a typically joyful time of year when you're feeling a sense of loss and sadness?  

In this episode of Timing is Everything, Mary Crowe welcomes Bob Hagopian back to the program. Bob is a Bereavement Coordinator at Care Dimensions, who offers advice for those who are experiencing grief this holiday season.  

Find more resources: CareDimensions.org/Grief

For this episode, host Mary Crowe welcomes on Care Dimensions CEO, Dr. Stephanie Patel, who was hired to lead the organization earlier this year. Dr. Patel has been with Care Dimensions for 16 years and talks about her experience in hospice. 

In this episode, host Mary Crowe welcomes on Director of Volunteer Services and Complementary Therapies Sheryl Meehan. She's also joined by Care Dimensions Volunteer Paul Williams, who talks about his experience as a hospice volunteer.  

Learn more about becoming a volunteer: CareDimensions.org/Volunteers

This month, we welcome on members of the Threshold Singers. The group is a volunteer hospice singing group located in the North Shore. They talk about their mission and show what bedside singing is all about.  Learn more: ThresholdSingers.com

April is a time to make sure your advance care planning is set. Have those important conversations with loved ones and make sure you have the right documentation if something happens with your health.  This month's guest is Elder Law Attorney Arthur Skarmeas.

March is Social Work Month. While some people may associate hospice and palliative care with nurses and aides, social workers are also an integral part of the team, supporting patients and their family.  

In this episode, host Mary Crowe welcomes on social worker Kelli Ann Sullivan, who talks about her background and her role.  

Learn more: CareDimensions.org

In this episode of Living Forever, Not An Option, host Mary Crowe discusses the impact of younger onset Alzheimer's Disease with Judy Johansen, who experienced this impact firsthand, with her husband Steve's diagnosis.

Host Mary Crowe welcomes on David Rodriquez from Danvers Community Access Television. 

David helps produce our television program "Timing Is Everything" and comes on to discuss the show's big topics from the past year.  

Learn more: CareDimensions.org

Host Mary Crowe welcomes on Claire Willis, who is the author of “Opening to Grief.”  In their conversation, Mary and Claire talk about grief being a natural response to loss, and not something that needs to be “fixed.”

On this episode of Living Forever, Not An Option, Mary and Care Dimensions' chaplain Robert Hagopian share advice on how to cope with the holidays after the loss of a loved one.

On this episode of Living Forever, Not An Option, Mary discusses with Francine Temkin the way hospice supports caregivers for National Hospice and Palliative Care month.

On this episode of Living Forever, Not An Option, Lyn and Mary speak with guest Stephanie Patel, Care Dimensions’ Medical Director, to discuss how Care Dimensions adapted to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In this episode of Living Forever, Not An Option, hosts Lyn and Mary discuss the role of hospice volunteers with Care Dimensions' Director of Volunteer Services and Complementary Therapies, Sheryl Meehan.

In this episode of Living Forever, Not An Option, Mary discusses Advance Care Planning with special guest, Ellen DiPaola, President & CEO of Honoring Choices in Massachusetts. Both experts on the topic, they dispel common myths around Advance Care Planning and offer advice on how and when to fill out these important documents.

In this episode of Living Forever, Not An Option, hosts Lyn and Mary discuss the misconception that a person has to "take to the bed" in order to receive hospice care. "Taking to the bed" refers to a person who is bed-ridden or home-bound, but this is not the case for all hospice patients. Many individuals with serious and advanced illness continue their lives with improved quality with the help of a multidisciplinary team.

In this episode of Living Forever, Not An Option, hosts Lyn Skarmeas and Mary Crowe discuss the importance of listening when you or a loved one has a serious or advanced illness.

In this episode of Living Forever, Not An Option, hosts Lyn and Mary discuss the benefits of reminiscing and life review through both their personal and professional experiences. 

In this episode of Living Forever, Not An Option, hosts Lyn Skarmeas and Mary Crowe discuss the challenges associated with living with a serious illness and provide tips on how to adjust after receiving a diagnosis.

In this episode of Living Forever, Not an Option, hosts Lyn and Mary discuss various complementary therapies and the benefits to both patients and families at end of life.

In this episode of Living Forever, Not an Option, hosts Lyn and Mary discuss the importance of caring for the caregiver to ensure the best quality of life for both the patient and caregiver.

In this episode of Living Forever, Not an Option our hosts touch upon the realities of grief and loss and ways that we can care for each other during those times.

Episode 5 of Living Forever Not an Option is all about living well, what gets in the way and how we can incorporate techniques or approaches that can positively influence our life, healthcare and overall quality of life.

Our hosts, Lyn Skarmeas and Mary Crowe, open this episode of Living Forever, Not an Option with a question: “Can you imagine not being in control of your major life decisions?” With this question comes this episode’s topic; being in control of your healthcare wishes before others make the decision for you

In the second episode of Living Forever, Not an Option, our hosts Lyn Skarmeas and Mary Crowe discuss the many myths and misconceptions surrounding hospice care. Lack of understanding or awareness of the services and support that hospice can bring to patients and families, as well as preconceived notions often perpetuate these misconceptions about hospice.

For this special episode of Living Forever, Not an Option, our hosts Mary Crowe and Lyn Skarmeas wanted to do a special episode that discusses coping with the holidays after a loss. The holidays can be a challenging time for people in general but coping with the holidays after a loss adds a new level of difficulty to anyone’s life.

Hosts Mary Crowe, LICSW, ACHP-SW, and Lyn Skarmeas explain the differences between hospice and palliative care, the philosophy and history of hospice, and dispel some of the myths surrounding hospice care because "living forever is not an option."