Meet Scott Lien, a working family caregiver and member of the sandwich generation, who navigated the loss of four parents and in-laws over twelve years. His caregiving journey, combined with his extensive tech background, inspired him to co-found GrandPad, a user-friendly platform designed to keep seniors connected and engaged.

In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, Scott and I dive into practical ways families and society can combat senior isolation and loneliness. We also explore the unexpected benefits—such as reducing elder fraud and financial scams—and how fostering meaningful connections can help us all live without regrets.

Plus, Scott shares wisdom from the “super seniors” he works with and reveals his secrets to ensuring joy in every day.

And…stay tuned for how you can take advantage of an exclusive GrandPad offer for the HHC Community!

Poet Marjorie Maddox and acquisitions editor Sheila Luna join host Marianne Sciucco to discuss the healing power of poetry, the realities of long-distance caregiving, and finding hope through the complexities of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Maddox’s, recent collection, Seeing Things, explores the tangled emotional landscape of dementia caregiving. The discussion examines the ways poetry can illuminate and comfort those touched by memory loss. Marjorie reads several of the poems, a gift to all .

The conversation moves beyond the personal to the universal. Marjorie shares that many poems in Seeing Things draw on her caregiving experiences for her mother, who lived with dementia, as well as her supportive role with her father-in-law—both journeys complicated by long distance and pandemic separation. As Marjorie admits, “You do feel so isolated when you’re going through it,” but the overlap in experience and shared vulnerabilities make poetry a communal space for catharsis. Poems in the collection touch not just on family memories but also larger societal losses—mass shootings and cave rescues—drawing lines between personal and collective grieving.

Marianne and Marjorie bring up a topic rarely discussed: the fractured roles in family caregiving, particularly for long-distance caregivers. Marjorie, based in Pennsylvania, supported her mother by daily phone calls and periodic visits, while her sister managed in-person care in Phoenix. Meanwhile, her brother handled the finances. These divisions, while pragmatic, often go unrecognized, and both the emotional and practical burdens can be immense.

The episode closes on the essential role of poetry—and storytelling—in chronicling caregiving journeys and connecting with others who walk a similar path. Whether it’s through a poem, a book, advocacy, or acts of compassionate service, these stories, hard-won and deeply personal, help others feel less alone. As Marjorie shares: “Being there for those little moments…even when you don’t feel like you’re doing anything, just holding someone’s hand… still does a lot.” And, perhaps, reading or writing poetry about those moments offers a light, a “slice of joy,” for a world too often shaped by loss.

After the Podcast

Purchase Seeing Things

Learn about the Moderators

Marianne Sciucco

Sheila Luna

About the Podcast

AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.

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Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here.

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