This live, on-location New Year's Eve party at the Veranda is a heart-warming reminder that even those with dementia know how to cut the rug and celebrate! The dialogue, the joy and the excitement are some of the best gifts these wonderful friends can share with each other. Their stories live forever. For contributions to this exceptional respit pr…

You can't imagine the prep and detail it takes to pull off an amazing gala event and concert like "A Christmas To Remember" - The Veranda Ministries Benefit every year. The staff, board and volunteers were ready to roll on that December 2nd night. This episode is on location from the women's rest room, because we ALL know, some of the greatest cove…

This enjoyable and spontaneous episode tells the ages-long story of how three very different women can be blessed to share the same bond, banter and beliefs. Debra Talley, Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly and Sue Duffield understand the meaning of significance and purpose in their mature years, but none of that happens without humor and the joy of not ta…

This ENCORE episode features host Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly and Teepa Snow, discussing honestly about hospice and dementia. Teepa's "The Positive Approach to Care" (PAC) is by far the greatest influence for Mary Anne's vision and work-ethic, otherwise known as "The Veranda Ministries." www.verandaministries.org…

This is part two continuing with the true story about a remarkable man Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly cared for, for almost two years. She briefly discussed him in episode 62, finishing the story today. Randy’s sad journey and experience into a geriatric psych unit is not rare. Mary Anne has a large box of files documented with stories just like Randy'…

Nadine will be long remembered as a faithful volunteer and servant. She was a true friend of Veranda Ministries and a true treasure to everyone who knew her. The best part of this story is listening to Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly share her bond with Nadine as her advocate, EOLD/Dementia Doula. Relationship-based care was in full operation, and there…

Research tells us how people think about aging, the elderly, and abuse - finds that people very quickly and unconsciously draw a line between older people and the “rest of us.” This mindset isn’t restricted to how we think about the elderly and the problems it creates; it contributes to a range of social issues, including racial and economic discri…

The Veranda Ministries truly knows that every caregiver is desperate for any single sign of hope and joy regarding their loved one’s dismal future of a dementia diagnosis. Telling their stories is one way to ensure a message of optimism and encouragement is paramount to everyone. For a loved one whose world is collapsing, this is the best therapy —…

Host Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly and producer, Sue Duffield revisit the amazing and healing story of one of Mary Anne's exceptional clients, Martha. It was Martha's dignity that was challenged with incontinence, but to the quick thinking of those around her, she was spared the horror of the embarrassment of losing bodily functions in a public place.…

This episode starts out chaotic, fun, frivolous and hilarious - talking carrot cake and nudist camps - all in the same breath! Host Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly and producer Sue Duffield, take the rabbit trail down that crazy path of spilled medicine caplets, Mark Lowry's giant custom pill box container, to even talking (as friends do) about the dile…

Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly and her sidekick-producer Sue Duffield, take this episode down a memory lane right from the start. The one thing that stands out the most is not only their reminiscent ways reliving the corner drug store experience, but also the difficulty of navigating the larger box store pharmacies, especially for the elderly. With an …

Episode 56 is a continuation from previous episode 55 (Unmerited Favor: A Daughter's Love Caring for Both Parents with Dementia) with Mary Gail Anderson, an adult child of two parents suffering with dementia and Parkinson's. This is caregiving to the absolute ultimate. Her exact words, when dealing with the medical professionals are, "question ever…

People with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are usually cared for by family members or friends. The majority of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias receive care in their homes. Each year, more than 16 million Americans provide more than 17 billion hours of unpaid care for family and friends with Alzheimer’s disease and r…

An exceptional and informative episode with guest, Anna Marie Adams (Certified End-of-Life Doula and founder of the International Doula Life Movement) will encourage all caregivers to realize the value of the extensive care a doula can bring to every member of a family. Host Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly and Anna understand the impact of helping thous…

Sue Duffield, producer of the Aging Angst and Alleuias Podcast as well as newly appointed board member of the Veranda Ministries, takes her frivolity on-location broadcasting to one of the biggest days on the Veranda Calendar - Derby Day! Imagine staff and volunteers using wheeled walkers with inflated horses' heads attached, racing on the parking …

Host Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly is definitely “The Keeper of Their Stories”. This realm and reality of her clients and the family of caregivers with dementia, enhances the dignity of physical hygiene and bathing to the understanding of routine. Dementia care is never an excuse for mistreatment or disrespect. Mary Anne is also a clinician on the roa…

Sometimes dealing with dementia and the end-of-life process can be as clear as mud. But today’s guest, Helen Bauer, comes as an expert in hospice care with exceptional detail that every care-partner needs. You’ll hear phrases like “senile degeneration of the brain” and “the difficulty in assessing someone with dementia at end-of-life with only a sn…

It’s not unusual to have difficulty finding the right word or remembering where you put things. But persistent problems with memory or the ability to perform everyday tasks might be signs of something more serious. An "Early Onset of Dementia" or "Mild Cognitive Impairment" diagnosis can be a sudden blow to any family. In this case and on this epis…

This episode with guest, Gay Gingrich, RN, BSN, and host Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly, shares how both women met through their studies with Teepa Snow's “Positive Approach to Care.” The discussion begins with two new friends with shared interests and passion for those with dementia as well as Gay’s obvious love of her work as a Geriatric Psych Nurse.…

Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly's mother's homegoing happened on a Leap Year. As with any family losing a loved one, the anniversary of that loved one's death comes in a tsunami-like wave of great proportion each year. But February 29th only happens every four years, and obviously, it can make the intensity of the weight of grief even more difficult. Ta…

Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly's guest is Brenda Powers, a registered nurse specializing in geriatric care, with a strong focus on supporting the aging population, especially those with dementia. Brenda has actively contributed enhancing geriatric care through workforce development panels, aiding in devloping dementia education programs like the Vander…

Episode 46 from the #agingangstandalleluiaspodcast, featuring host Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly and Teepa Snow, is a candid and vulnerably honest dialogue about hospice and dementia. The hunger for knowledge to help others began with Mary Anne's desire to experience Teepa and The Positive Approach to Care (PAC) Team, bringing it to fruition, for with…

With relationship-based approach for individuals with dementia, human touch plays an important role in promoting overall well-being. There's nothing quite like a hug or holding hands to promote a physical relaxation response. It's known to reduce levels of cortisol, a hormone released during times of stress. And there's no difference between those …

Even in congnitive decline, the neural processes of dreaming bring important benefits for regulating the emotions and creativity. One certain client named Martha of the Veranda in Gallatin, TN, is mentioned both in this episode and Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly's book. Depicting a story in grandiose detail, Martha describes her loved one coming home o…

Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly, the visionary Founder and Executive Director of Veranda Ministries, has added a new dimension to her impactful work in senior care with the release of her latest book, A Proactive Perspective in Dementia Care: A Relationship-Based Approach, on November 2, 2023. The book is now available in paperback and ebook version on …

Being prepared is one thing, but not having the correct knowledge and fortitude to make sure your loved one is getting the care they need, is another. Featured in this episode is Jeff Duffield and his sister, Susan Kuff, along with host, Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly, as they converse quite candidly the near disaster of caregiving and a NJ nursing hom…

A very difficult episode, but one that surely needs to be told. This situation is one family's struggle with when their loved ones need care in a community setting. It's a hard decision. The word placement strikes fear in their hearts for many reasons. Since the recording of this episode, the Colonel, as you’ll hear about, passed away within a few …

This is part two of Anthony Facello's difficult story. The value of having a POA (power of attorney) is of utmost in any family with a loved one. And if that loved one is suffering from dementia and is a mother of an only child, it's even more imperative. What makes Anthony's story even more tragic is the abuse his mother received from her second h…

Medicare’s hospice regulations are not working as intended for many people with dementia, says many experts of end-of-life care. The "long goodbye", the phrase Barbara Karnes describes about hospice patients with dementia, is, for the medical profession, a difficult diagnosis. About 5 percent are pulled from hospice when their condition seems to ha…

The Talley family's love and compassion for their parents and grandparents will bring sincere joy, levity and hope for families who take on this great calling called "care partnering." Gospel singer/songwriter, Lauren Talley, along with her Uncle Kirk Talley (also a singer/songwriter), shares on this episode that through thick and thin, family alwa…

It’s a known fact that the elderly and especially those with dementia or Alzheimers respond positively to the music that was part of their world for most of their lives. Today’s episode features two friends of host Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly, who have a long and productive history in southern gospel music. Danny Jones is vice president of The Singi…

This episode shows the extraordinary love of a son for his mother with dementia. Host Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly's part of this story was in previous episode 25. This is a heart-felt perspective and cry from that son, Anthony Facello Being a caregiver for a parent is never easy, especially if you are younger and thrown into a broken system that mak…

Maybe one day, the medical profession will understand and improve the quality of the pieces of the puzzle of dementia. For now, though, the research and emphasis are more about dealing with the symptoms than addressing the cause and management of dementia. Why can we not do more training and improvements with the medical communities' skillset? Many…

Host, Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly and producer, Sue Duffield come right out of the starting gate discussing the hilarity of being hacked and cloned on Facebook! Plus an update on Mary Anne's client whose charges were dropped after being arrested - is a great story with a compassionate ending. There's still the on-going struggle with those who have d…

There’s a lot we can learn from the palliative care movement: it considers death as meaningful and dying as a stage of life to be valued, supported and lived. Welcoming mortality might actually help us live better lives and support communities — rather than relying on medical systems — to care for people at the end of their lives. And if you're new…

God has positioned Himself strategically in the hearts of three friends: One from Arkansas; one from East Tennessee, and one Jersey transplant to Middle Tennessee. And God's the ONLY one who knows the plans for these three! Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly, Debra Talley and Sue Duffield take the discussion and interaction to a new place, discussing the d…

When the FDA gives approval for the first drug to be used for agitation (brexpiparazole) in Alzheimer's and dementia patients, there's also fair warning for the hidden side effects along with mortality risk. Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly and Sue Duffield have an honest and informative discussion about the pros and cons of using this type of drug in a …

With twenty-six years experience as a nurse and nurse practitioner, Crystal Yokley received her BSN at Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN and her MSN at Western Kentucky University. She worked in hospitals and clinics with a wide range from Med-Surg Cardiology, Pediatrics, women's health, family health occupational med and acute care. She has rec…

On previous episode number 28, "Markers of the Heart" touched on the truth about advocating for ourselves. This week's episode number 29 continues with that topic as Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly and Sue Duffield discuss how to support and advocate for those living with dementia and the aging population. As usual, something always sparks Mary Anne's d…

Today's guest, Richard Patterson, is a husband and father of two children and also the owner and administrator of Preferred Care at Home of North Nashville, Sumner, and East Wilson Counties in Middle Tennessee. Richard's first opportunity to work with seniors was at the age of 14 when he worked through high school at an assisted living facility. Ri…

This week's episode is honestly one that Mary Anne never dreamed she would record on the “Aging, Angst & Alleluias Podcast.” As an advocate for those living with dementia and their families, Mary Anne suddenly experienced a heart attack and immediately became an advocate for herself and for her own brain. This was a tough job especially when there …

This week's episode is part two of episode 25 of the Aging, Angst & Alleluias Podcast “A Dementia Doula’s Blessing from the Basement.” Experience the “alleluias" from that nine-day stay in the basement for host, Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly's special friend, Diane. This is a resource of magnitude for those living with dementia and those at the end of…

This compassionate episode is about a woman who Mary Anne grew to love and yet never heard speak her name. It’s about a broken medical system that truly left this woman completely desperate and at death's door. Yet, when all options were completely exhausted, a simple basement full of love in Nashville Tennessee was sent via a special friend in Okl…

Today's conversation with Barbara Karnes is to announce her new book, "By Your Side," (A Guide for Caring for the Dying at Home) and the discussion of how vital End of Life Doula and Dementia Doula work is becoming in our society. Her new book is one of the best for family caregivers and since Barbara has been a family caregiver herself, her knowle…

The concept of "Dementia Doula" is somewhat new to the community of caregivers, but not new to compassionate expert, Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly. This episode is a celebration of this podcast's first year, but also an anticipatory view ahead into the lives of those who are becoming more aware of how quality end of life should look. With heartfelt tr…

Welcome to SEASON TWO! Last year (2022) was the Aging Angst & Alleluias pilot year, and what a successful one it was! For dementia, alzheimer's and caregiver interests, this podcast ranks in the high 10% of podcasts internationally of the same theme. To that, we are very proud. This #22 is a 2022 encore of a previously recorded episode with Barbara…

This week’s episode "A Caregiver's Christmas" is all about finding joy in the journey, even during the holiday season. Our team’s desire is to help families find peace and comfort during Christmas. We also desire as always to help those living with dementia have the best holiday possible. Today's special guest is Mary Anne's friend, mentor, and the…

What could be better on this twentieth episode of “Aging Angst and Alleluias” Podcast than to have the guest of the first episode discuss thankfulness and the pure joy of this holiday season? Today’s special guest is Debra Talley, but wait, not only is Deb the guest, but the producer of the podcast, Sue Duffield, is guest number two. Let’s just say…

Mary Anne Oglesby-Sutherly's guest, Katlyn G. Clifton, developed a business model for aging care with a social work perspective. Her dream was realized through a series of life-long community and familial experiences while caring for the aging, developing chaplaincy and counsel, and also studying and understanding grief care. Her website puts two i…

It's a known fact that singing and music therapy can be used as a treatment for the improvement of cognitive function in people with dementia. On a basic level, songs, hymns and interactive music connect in ways that can't always be explained. Special guest, Dave Clark, a prominent songwriter and storyteller, shares his heart on this episode about …