S2E6: Aging, Caregiver Burnout, and Grandparents Raising Grandkids with Morgan RhodesS2E6: Aging, Caregiver Burnout, and Grandparents Raising Grandkids with Morgan Rhodes
APC Recovery Cafe
Nicole and guest Morgan Rhodes talk about ageing, caregiver burnout, and grandparents raising grandchildren because of substance use disorder, highlighting free supports and resources. They also touch on mental health, social isolation and fraud risks faced by older adults.
42:12•16 Apr 2026
Aging, Burnout and Grandparents on the Front Line of the Addiction Crisis
Episode Overview
- Area Agencies on Aging offer broad support for people from around 55–60 onwards, including nutrition, legal help, Medicare counselling and in‑home services, often without income limits.
- Caregiver burnout is common, and respite programmes and support groups give carers a break and a space to process grief, identity shifts and stress.
- Grandparents and other relatives raising children due to substance use disorder can access limited funds for essential items and join support groups so they’re not facing it alone.
- Starting early conversations about driving, safety, future care and legal documents can reduce conflict and protect older adults’ independence and dignity later.
- Fraud and scams against seniors are widespread, from dodgy medical billing to fake tickets and postal texts, so learning how to spot and report them is vital.
“"The best advice that I have for anybody is making sure that you're having these difficult conversations now before they actually become necessary."”
How do different strategies aid in addiction recovery? This conversation from APC Recovery Cafe turns the spotlight on a group often overlooked in substance use and mental health discussions: older adults and the grandparents raising grandkids because of addiction. Social worker and programme coordinator Morgan Rhodes joins host Nicole to talk about the Area Agency on Aging and the huge range of free or low-cost services many families don’t realise exist.
Morgan explains how these agencies support people from around 55–60 onwards with things like Meals on Wheels, senior centres, in‑home help, legal support for wills and powers of attorney, Medicare counselling, and crucially, respite care for exhausted caregivers. You’ll hear frank discussion about identity loss in caregiving and retirement, the emotional strain of watching parents age, and the need for “having these difficult conversations now before they actually become necessary” about driving, safety and future care.
Morgan also talks about social isolation, older adults’ shifting relationship with mental health, and how senior centres and meal programmes act as lifelines, not just food services. A powerful section looks at grandparents and other relatives raising children after substance use disorder has torn families apart. New opioid settlement funding allows small but meaningful help — beds, school supplies, uniforms — plus support groups so carers don’t feel so alone while they grieve and parent at the same time.
The episode wraps with a look at fraud and scams aimed at older adults, from Medicare billing issues to fake speeding tickets and postal texts, and how education and events like the “fraud summit” help people spot red flags before money or benefits are lost.
If you care about someone ageing, love an older adult affected by addiction, or are stepping into the role of kinship carer, this chat might prompt you to ask: what tough conversations do you need to start today?
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