Rita Choula joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about Caregiving in the U.S. on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Rita

Rita B. Choula, MA is the senior director of caregiving at the AARP Public Policy Institute. In her role, she drives the development of family caregiving initiatives by providing content expertise, both within AARP and in partnership with a range of external collaborators. Her work bridges policy and research to practice, centered on identifying and supporting needs of family caregivers.

In collaboration with clinical experts and key partners, she leads the development of programs and tools that enable health care and social service professionals to better recognize the range of needs of family caregivers and provide supports to them across settings. Before joining AARP, Choula worked in executive recruiting and as an administrator in elementary education.

Choula is currently Vice Chair, Board of Directors for the Association of Frontotemporal Dementia (AFTD) and a member of the Board for the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC). She is a recipient of the CARE 100 List of the Most Influential People in Care of 2020 and the National Hispanic Council on Aging Caregiving AARP Service Award of 2019. She holds a master’s degree in the Management of Aging Services from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, Ericsson School of Aging.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica Guthrie joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about how healthcare professionals can better partner with family caregivers on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Jessica

Jessica C. Guthrie is a caregiving strategist, Alzheimer's advocate, and champion for invisible caregivers who is transforming how organizations support the 63 million family caregivers in America. For over 11 years, Jessica has been the primary caregiver for her mother living with early-onset Alzheimer's disease—a journey that began when she was just 26 years old. As a young, Black, millennial solo caregiver, she brings urgent visibility to demographics often overlooked in caregiving narratives while addressing the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer's on Black communities. Jessica is the founder of Jessica C. Guthrie Caregiving Consultancy, where she partners with global companies, healthcare organizations, and national brands to bridge the gap between lived caregiving experience and institutional support. A Dartmouth graduate, Teach For America alumna, and former nonprofit executive, Jessica is known as the "canary in the caregiving coal mine"—she's survived the journey and is committed to making it better for everyone who follows. Her work has been featured in PBS documentaries, major media outlets, and policy forums from Capitol Hill to the United Nations, positioning her as one of the rare active caregivers leading systemic change at all organizational levels.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Karen Moss joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about peer support for family caregivers of people living with Dementia on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Dr. Moss

Dr. Karen Moss is a registered nurse of 25 years and nurse scientist who is a tenured Associate Professor of Nursing in the College of Nursing at The Ohio State University. She is a distinguished fellow in the National Academy of Practice - Nursing Academy, and a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America. Dr. Moss’ work is focused on improving advance care planning (healthcare decision making) and pain outcomes through palliative and end-of-life care for older adults living with dementia and their family caregivers. She examines multiple perspectives on factors that influence pain and end-of-life decision-making processes for Black older adults living with dementia and their caregivers. Dr. Moss’ research is also focused on developing and testing Pair 2 Care©, an award-winning, evidence-based peer support program created with and for family caregivers of Black people living with dementia. She also is studies pain and stress in people living with dementia and their family caregivers. Through her work, Dr. Moss and her team are actively working to improve the quality of life of Black family caregivers and their loved ones living with dementia.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Debbie Mammel joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about caregiving for those living with Dementia on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Debbie

Debbie Mammel is the proud co-founder of Caring Solutions San Antonio, a home health company started in 2010. She started the company with her sister, Karen, after caring for their mother who passed from pancreatic cancer. They turned their experience into a career and to make each day count for the elderly and their families. Debbie's career began in the home. She is the mother of six children, all of which she homeschooled. As a Certified Dementia Coach, Debbie spearheaded Caring Solutions’ mission to be the leader in dementia care in San Antonio. She teaches weekly workshops for caregivers, families, and other professionals. In each of the over 200 workshops she’s given, Debbie strives to empower caregivers with the skills they need to take care of themselves as well as those living with dementia - helping caregivers through the inevitable changes this disease brings and finding ways they can offer the right support.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martha McPhee joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about non-family caregivers on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Martha

MARTHA McPHEE is the author of the novels An Elegant Woman, Dear Money, L’America, Gorgeous Lies, and Bright Angel Time. She is also the author of Omega Farm, a memoir. Her work has been honored with fellowships from the National Endowment of the Arts and The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. In 2002 she was nominated for a National Book Award. Her novels have been Best Books of The Year on The New York Times, Washington Post and Chicago Tribune lists. Her essays and reviews have appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers including The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Newark Star Ledger, Vogue, More, Harper’s Bazaar, Self, Traveler, Travel & Leisure, among many others. McPhee is a tenured member of the English Department at Hofstra University, where she teaches fiction. She lives in New York City with her children and husband, the poet and writer Mark Svenvold.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Evelyn Johnson-Taylor joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about life after caregiving on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Dr. Evelyn Johnson-Taylor

Dr. Evelyn Johnson-Taylor, Ph.D., RN, is a lifelong caregiver and advocate for those who

support loved ones through illness and aging. She began her caregiving journey in the early

1990s when she left her ICU nursing career in Washington, D.C., to care for her father. Years

later, she walked the path again, serving as her late husband’s caregiver for ten years (2008–

2018). These experiences, combined with her background as a registered nurse, shaped her deep

compassion for caregivers and fueled her mission to provide them with hope, resources, and

encouragement.

Evelyn holds an Associate Degree in Nursing, a B.A. in Women’s Studies, and both a Master’s

and Ph.D. in Ministry. She is the award-winning author of See Me, Hear Me, Know Me: From

the Heart of a Caregiver and In & Out of Season: Thriving in Life’s Transitions. Through her

books, speaking, and coaching, she equips caregivers to embrace self-care while navigating the

physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges of caregiving.

In addition to her writing and teaching, Evelyn serves as Chair of the Advisory Council for a

local nonprofit supporting seniors and caregivers, ensuring their voices are heard and their

needs met. She has been featured on media outlets such as HomeKeepers with Arthelene

Rippy and Atlanta Live, and numerous podcasts, bringing greater visibility to the caregiver

journey.

Above all, Evelyn continues to champion the message that caregivers are not alone—and that

their work, though often unseen, is sacred and life-changing.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deidre Edwards joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about when nothing seems to work as a caregiver on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Deidre

Deidre Edwards is a registered nurse, retired high school health sciences teacher, and passionate author dedicated to empowering others through education and compassionate guidance. With decades of experience in healthcare and the classroom, she has devoted her career to helping individuals understand their health, navigate care challenges, and make informed decisions for themselves and their loved ones. Her teaching style blends clarity, empathy, and real-world insight—qualities that continue to shape her writing and outreach.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julia Huckle joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about the complexities of burnout on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Julia

Julia Huckle is an executive coach, burnout-prevention strategist, nurse, and founder of RE/Ignite & Thrive Coaching. She helps leaders, organizations, and professionals navigate high-pressure roles while preventing burnout and building sustainable, resilient workplaces. Julia is the author of Unseen, Overburdened, and

Undervalued, which blends strategies for caregivers, professionals, organizations, and policy-makers, offering practical guidance for managing complex responsibilities and transitions.

Her work combines structured coaching frameworks, reflective exercises, and actionable strategies to foster clarity, confidence, and resilience. Julia also develops resources for caregiver-friendly workplaces, helping organizations and individuals create environments where caregiving responsibilities are recognized, supported, and valued. Her approach is grounded, practical, and deeply empathetic, empowering people to honour their responsibilities without sacrificing their own goals, well-being, or identity.

Julia is the caregiver for her adult son with disabilities.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.