My Status Quo Podcast

My Status Quo is an empowering podcast dedicated to navigating the realities of Dementia caregiving and aging in place.  Hosted by passionate advocates for elder independence, each episode features heartfelt conversations with family caregivers sharing their journeys, practical tips for supporting loved ones at homes, and insightful interviews with care professionals.  Whether you're a caregiver seeking solidarity or a professional looking to stay informed, this show offers hope, strategies, and resources to challenge the 'status quo' of aging with grace and resilience.  Tune in to feel less alone in the caregiving world.

Episodes

Jul 9, 2026

45 min

Hosts Michele High and Donna Felter speak with Erin Sharpe, lead clinical navigator at PAM Rehabilitation Hospital in Delaware, about the facility’s acute rehab services. The episode explains the short-term, high-intensity therapy model (about three hours a day), in-house dialysis and specialty programs like amputee care and Big and Loud for Parkinson’s, plus private rooms and family training.
Erin also discusses referral paths, insurance navigation (including Medicare and expedited appeals), private-pay options, and how PAM supports patients from home, hospital, or other settings to help them recover faster and return safely to their communities.

Jun 16, 2026

44 min

Michele speaks with Sue and Brax about how they all worked together to care for Sue’s brother in his last year of life with debilitating Dementia.  Using creative strategies—like the “therapeutic lie” and a VIP upgrade—to preserve his dignity and safety while also supplying as much happiness for him and his caregivers.
The episode highlights intense teamwork, aging in place, medical advocacy, fall prevention, and the emotional toll on caregivers, offering practical lessons on empathy, patience, and putting loved ones first.
VIP Solutions was born and has become a model of care, as well as a service that My Status Quo offers to all families.  Sparing them the unending, daily strife of 'being the bad guy'.

Jun 9, 2026

34 min

In this episode Bill O’Brien, a fraud investigator for Adult Protective Services of Delaware, explains how tech fraud and imposter scams prey on seniors — from phishing emails and fake bank calls to remote‑access software, Bitcoin ATM schemes and the gold‑bar scam.
He walks through common scripts scammers use, warning signs to watch for, and practical steps to protect yourself: don’t call numbers or click links in unsolicited messages, never give passwords, block and delete suspicious contacts, and verify with known phone numbers and bank branches.
Bill also lists resources for reporting fraud (IC3, FTC) and advises families to monitor finances, consider early legal protections, and share information to prevent others from becoming victims.
To report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult or senior, contact Delaware APS at 1-888-APS-4302

May 11, 2026

32 min

In this episode Michele High and Donna Felter speak with Michele (Shelly) Stutzman, a registered nurse turned Hospice Doula, about her personal journey, why she chose this calling, and how Death or Hospice Doulas support families through the dying process.
Shelly discusses gaps in hospice care, challenges for people with dementia, medical aid in dying, practical end-of-life guidance (including stopping eating and drinking and medication concerns), and the importance of advocacy and compassionate presence.
Contact Shelley #302-245-5570 / www.liminal-shores.com  / stutzdoula@gmail.com
 
 
 

Apr 29, 2026

32 min

Lyndsie Smyser is the Community Engagement Coordinator for the PACE Your LIFE program.  She does a great job explaining the program and it sounds too good to be true!  If you want to live in your home, safely and affordably, with PACE - Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly - you can!
Contact Lyndsie #302-430-3870  email lsmyser@paceyourlifemwv.com
Click here to see a short video about PACE 
https://vimeo.com/738367288?share=copy
 

Apr 14, 2026

39 min

An interview with Christy Kitchen, General Manager of Good News Natural Foods of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.  Christy is an Integrative Nutritional Health Coach and lifelong advocate of nutritional and Spiritual wellness.  Visit her at Good News to work with her personally!  
instagram.com/goodnewsrehoboth
www.goodnewshealthfood.com
 Store address: 37 Wilmington Ave Rehoboth Beach Delaware
 Store # 302-227-3177

Mar 3, 2026

28 min

Michele and Donna explore the differences in Palliative vs. Hospice care with Nurse Melissa Imbergamo.  Melissa has been a nurse for over 30 years,  the last decade as a hospice nurse.  We all notice how many families do not realize the benefits of having Palliative care in the home, and that it's free through your local hospital!  Melissa does a wonderful job explaining both!
Find Melissa at www.decaregivers.com to learn about her free caregiver support group that focuses on the LGBTQ+ Community 

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