ACAP Lunch & Learn

Join us for the “First Fridays with ACAP Lunch & Learn”!

Welcome to First Fridays with ACAP Lunch & Learn. ACAP has expanded our award-winning podcasts into scheduled online programs so you can ask questions as well as receive excellent information, insights, and tips from our guests, all of whom are experts in the topic being addressed.

You don’t need a Google or YouTube account to watch the program, but we encourage you to sign in so you can join the live Lunch & Learn discussion. To sign in, click the “Sign In” button at the top right of your browser and enter your Google email and password. Don’t have an account? You can create one for free.

Premieres Friday, Jan. 2 at 12:00 pm

Medication Deprescribing & Safety: Practical Advice for Caregivers

More than 275,000 Americans die each year due to medication mismanagement, and 750 older adults are hospitalized every day from medication-related harm. And, on average, individual Americans waste about $6,000 yearly on unnecessary medications. In this episode, we take a look at overprescribing, medication safety, and practical advice for caregivers and their loved ones on how to manage this healthcare crisis. Host Karen Summey is joined by Dr. DeLon Canterbury, a board-certified geriatric pharmacist and President/CEO of GeriatRx, Inc.

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Premieres Friday, Dec. 5 at 12:00 pm

Using Creativity and Informal Art for Caregiver Self-Care

It’s a busy and stressful time of year! But all times of the year can be stressful for caregivers. While we can’t always change that, we can manage that stress a bit better by using creativity for self-care, in almost any environment. Specifically, we’re talking about art for non-artist caregivers and their loved ones. It’s the process of de-stressing that counts — not the result! Host Karen Summey is joined by Dr. Angel Duncan, a registered art therapist with over 20 years of experience. Dr. Duncan holds a PhD in psychology, specializing in gerontology, along with dual master’s degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy. She teaches art therapy for Alzheimer’s and related dementias through the Bringing Art to Life curriculum, a national course elective in higher education, and she founded and co-developed Arts in Mind at the Yale University Art Gallery, a program for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

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Premieres Friday, Nov. 7 at 12:00 pm

Practical Caregiving Tips and New Shopping Guide

Caring for an older adult often means finding ways to make daily life safer, easier, and more enjoyable. This month host Karen Summey, MA, ACAPcommunity, is joined by Jane Everson, PhD, and Catherine Hague, retired English and creative writing teacher. All three are active family caregivers and offer helpful tips from the front lines of caregiving, as well as ideas for the perfect holiday (or year-round) gifts for yourself or those in your care.

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Premieres Friday, Oct. 3 at 12:00 pm

Beyond the Myths: Understanding Hospice and Palliative Care

This episode takes a look at Hospice and Palliative Care services. We’ll dispel some preconceived notions and get an inside look at what these programs are, how they work, and who is eligible to receive them — it’s more than you think! Join host Karen Summey, MA, Project Manager, ACAPcommunity, and guest Julie Packer, Director of Professional Relations at Carolina Caring, a provider of hospice care, palliative medicine, and a variety of specialty services over a 12-county area in the North Carolina Foothills.

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Caregiving in 2025: A Nation at a Crossroads

More than 63 million adults in the United States are caregivers — that’s more than one in four adults in our nation! They’re our family, our neighbors, and our co-workers. Are you among them? Do you know some of them? Or do you employ them? Join host Karen Summey, MA, Project Manager, ACAPcommunity, and guest Mark Hensley, Associate State Director for Outreach and Advocacy with AARP North Carolina, to hear more about the state of caregiving in America in 2025 — who we are, what we do, and what we need.

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Changing Minds, Honoring Wishes: The Human Side of Advance Care Planning

Advance care planning isn’t just a legal process — it’s a deeply human one. In this episode, we talk with an advance care planning expert about how emotions, relationships, and evolving life circumstances shape end-of-life decisions. Join host Karen Summey, MA, Project Manager, ACAPcommunity, and guest Ms. Libby Dunahoo, Manager of the Advance Care Planning department for Northeast Georgia Health System, as they explore what happens when someone changes their mind, how to update their plan, and how caregivers and healthcare agents can honor those wishes with clarity and compassion. This is a conversation about flexibility, trust, and putting people — not just paperwork — at the center of care.

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Episode 6

Lifelong Gardening: Support for Aging Gardeners and Their Care Partners with John Bowen

Gardening is more than just a physical activity; it’s also deeply emotional to those who pursue it across a lifetime. It’s part of a person’s identity, grounding, and place in the world. As physical challenges arise through the years, it’s important to know how to adapt gardening activities and tools along the way. Gardeners and their care partners can plan ahead to ensure this meaningful part of life continues despite the many challenges. Host Karen Summey, ACAPcommunity, is joined by John Bowen, retired master gardener and NCSU Cooperative Extension volunteer.

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Episode 5

Caregiver Resilience — Meeting Stress with Compassion and Skill

Caregiving can push anyone past their limits. In this conversation, trauma-informed strategist Christy Shi Day shares how understanding our nervous system can help us stay calm, connected, and grounded — even in the most challenging moments. Learn simple, science-based tools for emotional regulation, clearer communication, and more resilient relationships with your aging parents, your family, and yourself.

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Episode 4

Rediscovering Your Parents as an Adult-Child Caregiver

Are we harboring outdated versions of our parents in our minds? What does it look like in practice to be a care partner for someone based on who they are now? Join us for a discussion about how we can engage in deeper conversations with our parents to learn how they have evolved over time. Then, learn how to adapt your approaches to truly meet your parents’ care needs in this moment.

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Episode 3

How Physical Therapy Supports Health & Strength as We Age

Most of us desire to stay healthy and strong as we age. Today, we’ll explore how caregivers can help their loved ones identify physical issues and seek professional help. Join host Karen Summey, project manager for ACAPcommunity, and Dr. Mitchell Straub, owner and founder of Vital Rehab and Wellness, as they talk about the intersection of well-being and physical therapy.

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Episode 2

Impacts of Caregiving for Both Caregivers & Care Recipients

What does it mean to be a caregiver? What impacts exist for both the caregiver and the care recipient(s)? Join host Karen Summey, project manager for ACAPcommunity, and Frances Hall, Founder and Executive Director of ACAPcommunity, as they talk about the joys and challenges of caring for aging parents and other adult loved ones.

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Episode 1

Making Home Safe, Regardless of Age

How can we make sure the home is safe and comfortable for loved ones, regardless of age? Join host Karen Summey, project manager for ACAPcommunity, and Rev. Jim Luck, retired aging-in-place and universal design specialist, as they discuss areas of the home to consider and strategies for keeping loved ones safe in the home.

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