Welcome to Value of Wrinkles. A heartfelt podcast hosted by Isabel Tom, author, speaker, and forever grandchild. Inspired by her book The Value of Wrinkle: A Young Perspective on How Loving the Old Will Change Your Life, this show celebrates the beauty of aging, the power of intergenerational relationships, and the transformative role of caregiving.
Each episode explores how to connect more deeply with the older generation, offering practical advice, tender stories, and honest conversations on topics like elder care, aging parents, and legacy. Whether you're a caregiver, grandchild, or someone simply curious about growing older with grace, this podcast will help you love the older generation and yourself a little more.
Recently I implmenented the GKI Kit at an assisted living. It was exciting, but don't et me wrong, I had fears! Would kids want to hang out with residents? Would these residents be alert and willing …
This episode is designed for senior living and senior care organizations looking to create meaningful intergenerational programs. How can you keep both kids and older adults safe, engaged, and connec…
Why don’t kids visit senior living communities more often?
In this thought-provoking episode, we dive into a surprising truth: many senior care communities are hesitant to welcome children—despite th…
While my daughter’s away at summer camp and my husband’s camping with our boys, you’d think I’d be enjoying some rare alone time—but honestly, I just want to hear from them. In this episode, I reflec…
Today we're talking about how shared experiences like family vacations can be beneficial because they allow us to spend time with family in different settings.
Highlights:
You’ve heard my stories about our grandparents—now it’s time to hear from my cousin Jeremy! He grew up in Canada and didn’t see them as often, but his memories of Mama and Yeye (or Poh Poh and Goong …
How do you explain autism or ADHD to a grandparent who just doesn’t get it yet? In this episode, Isabel Tom sits down with Kim Botto—a seasoned educator, speaker, and grandmother of eleven—to talk ab…
Do you have a child with autism, ADHD, or sensory needs—and wonder how to help them build a real connection with their grandparents?
In this powerful episode of The Value of Wrinkles, host Isabel Tom…
Listen to a yahoo moment from doing the Grandkid Investigator Kit with my son. In this episode I share how my son learned about his grandma’s routine and helped me know how to plan his grandma’s next…
Have you ever heard of the “daughter penalty”? Maybe not by name, but I bet you’ve felt it.
It’s also called the caregiving penalty, and it’s the cost—financial, emotional, and mental—that often come…
When is the best time for YOU to schedule a visit with the grandparents or your aging parents? Today’s episode focuses on being intentional in terms of when you choose to spend time with the elders i…
In this episode, I delve into the experiences three kids have had using Grandkid Investigator Kit (GKI) mission. What have kids learend about their grandparents?
Through engaging missions, kids unco…
Are you afraid to say how old are you now? Here are some tips that I’m preaching to myself to we can celebrate our next birthday!
Highlights:
1:02 – The Own Your Age Photobooth
3:30 – Instead of dr…
Isn’t it interesting that at different times in their lives, moms would want different types of gifts? In this episode, I thought it would be fun to chat about what young moms want and what older mom…
Your parents or in-laws just aren’t kid people. They’re not friendly. They’re not engaging and they don’t know how to interact with the grandkids.
We do want our kids to know their grandparents, but …
Do you remember a time when we couldn’t see our families in person? Do you remember when families had to visit with their elders with a window of glass in between? The next time you get together with…
If you're considering a career serving older adults, this episode is for you! Whether you're fresh out of school or seeking a second career, you'll get practical next steps to break into the field. L…
In this episode, I chat with Becky Donahue, a social worker at WinterGrowth, a medical adult day program. When I first considered working with older adults, I thought being a nurse was the only way t…
This is the 2nd episode in our Careers in Aging Series. In today’s episode we are going behind the scenes with Jamie Arthur. I ask him what he tells people when they ask him what he does. We find th…
This is the first episode in our Careers in Aging Series. Today I'm sharing with you 5 things I learned from working in the senior care field. They might surprise you!
5 Things I Learned: