By Marianne Sciucco, New York, USA
In this episode of the Untangling Alzheimer’s and Dementia podcast, host Marianne Sciucco sat down with Lance Slatton, owner/operator of Enriched Life Services in Livonia, Michigan and host of the award-winning All Home Care Matters podcast, to discuss a topic at the heart of so many families: caregiving. The episode offers a wealth of insight, empathy, and resources for anyone supporting a loved one affected by Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other serious health challenges.
Breaking New Ground in Caregiving Advocacy
The discussion kicks off with Lance sharing his experience attending the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Annual Convening in Washington, D.C. Known for its dedication to military families and caregivers, the foundation goes beyond just supporting veterans. It recognizes caregivers as a whole—whether they’re family members, children, or spouses—providing crucial resources often overlooked in the wider landscape of healthcare.
Lance highlights programs like Hidden Helpers (focused on caregiving children) and Hidden Heroes (recognizing caregiver advocacy) as game-changers, noting how these initiatives empower families to seek practical help and policy support. The convening brought together individuals from across the political spectrum, united in their commitment to bettering the lives of caregivers—a refreshing reminder that real change often happens when we set aside differences for a common cause.
Real Stories, Real Impact
One of the most poignant moments came when Lance recounted an interview with a Medal of Honor recipient advocating for better caregiver support after his life was upended by injuries sustained in service. The conversation drove home the often invisible struggles of caregivers—helping loved ones relearn everyday tasks, experiencing emotional triggers in the midst of daily life, and navigating systems that aren’t always set up with families in mind.
Lance and Marianne also touched on the countless ways caregiving intersects with our working lives. Heartbreaking anecdotes revealed just how many are forced to choose between being with a dying loved one and keeping a much-needed job. These stories underscore why caregiver-friendly workplace policies and employer understanding aren’t just “nice to have”—they’re essential.
Building Supportive Ecosystems
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation Convening focused on four crucial pillars:
Emotional and Mental Well-being: Recognizing caregiver burnout and promoting mental health resources.
Economic Mobility: Addressing the financial strains of caregiving, especially for those who can’t work traditional jobs.
Caregiving Youth: Supporting children who serve as caregivers through targeted programs and community.
Supportive Ecosystems: Creating accessible care and financial support for families navigating complex health needs.
Lance’s own experiences—stepping into caregiving unexpectedly, not knowing where to turn for help, and eventually founding his own home care agency—highlight how advocacy, education, and sharing resources can make all the difference.
Essential Resources for Caregivers
Listeners are encouraged to visit the Elizabeth Dole Foundation website to discover programs like Hidden Heroes and Hidden Helpers, as well as the VA’s Caregiver Support Program. Lance admits he only learned about many of these resources after years in the field—proving that even seasoned professionals have much to gain by connecting with advocacy organizations.
For more guidance, Lance’s own book, The All Home Care Matters Official Family Caregiver’s Guide, serves as a “map” for caregivers—full of practical, actionable advice.
Community and Storytelling
The episode closes with encouragement for caregivers to share their experiences and become part of a storytelling community, whether through the All Home Care Matters podcast, AlzAuthors, or local support groups. As Lance reminds us, caregivers need as much help, community, and compassion as those they support.
If you or someone you know is entering the world of caregiving, check out the links and stories shared in this episode. You’re not alone—and the help and hope you need might be just a conversation away.
After the Podcast
Discover the resources mentioned:
- Elizabeth Dole Foundation – Programs for military, veteran, and dementia caregivers (Hidden Heroes, Hidden Helpers, Dole Fellows)
- VA Caregiver Support Program – Resources for those caring for veterans
- All Home Care Matters Podcast – Winner of the Silver Creator Award and other accolades
- All Home Care Matters Official Family Caregiver’s Guide – A practical map for caregivers now available at Amazon,
- Read Lance’s AlzAuthors post
- Listen to another podcast with Lance
Learn about the Moderator
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.
We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
To sustain our efforts please donate here
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.
Thanks for listening.
We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast
Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network
Find us on The World Podcast Network and babyboomer.org
Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know.
We’ve got merch! Shop our Store
