The Podcast

We don’t outgrow ADHD, we simply change with it. Join hosts Jami and Justin as we explore the intersection of ADHD and seniors.

Episode 51 – Wound Care Expert “You Need to be the Bigger Person for Yourself and Ask for Help”

What does wound care have to do with ADHD? A lot more than you might think. In this eye-opening episode of Grandma Has ADHD, host Jami Shapiro welcomes back Kayva Jha, a business development manager in mobile wound care and a passionate advocate for connecting the dots between physical health, mental health, and neurodiversity.

Together, Jami and Kayva unpack how ADHD impacts wound care, healing, and compliance—especially for adults over 50. From missed medications and forgotten routines to nutrition challenges, chronic pain, and social isolation, ADHD can quietly shape the way wounds are cared for and how they heal.

Kayva shares real-world insights from her work with seniors and patients, explaining how nutrition, lifestyle, and support systems make all the difference in recovery. She also opens up about her own struggles with perfectionism, independence, and accepting help—reminding us that caring for ourselves isn’t weakness, it’s survival.

Whether you live with ADHD, support someone who does, or simply want to better understand the link between neurodiversity and healthcare, this powerful conversation will leave you with a new perspective on both wound care and self-care.

ADHD and Wound Care: Healing Challenges After 50

When you think of ADHD, wound care probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But for adults over 50, ADHD symptoms like forgetfulness, time blindness, and poor routines can directly impact how wounds heal—often slowing recovery or leading to serious complications.

In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, host Jami Shapiro welcomes back Kayva Jha, a business development manager for a mobile wound care clinic and a passionate advocate for understanding the intersection of ADHD, healthcare, and aging. Together, they explore why wound care is more complex for people with ADHD, and how nutrition, lifestyle, and support systems play a vital role in recovery.

How ADHD Affects Wound Care and Healing

ADHD brains often struggle with routines, compliance, and self-care. That means remembering to take medications, change bandages, or follow a doctor’s instructions isn’t as simple as it sounds. As Jami and Kayva discuss, one missed step can derail wound healing entirely.

Key challenges include:

  • Forgetting to follow wound care routines (out of sight, out of mind)
  • Struggling with compliance when tasks feel repetitive or boring
  • Sugar cravings and poor nutrition tied to dopamine-seeking behaviors
  • Ignoring or missing body signals due to lack of awareness
  • Isolation and shame preventing people from seeking help

For many adults over 50 with undiagnosed ADHD, these struggles can lead to chronic wounds, diabetic complications, and longer recovery times.

Nutrition, Lifestyle, and the ADHD Brain

Kayva highlights how nutrition and movement make up 60–80% of wound recovery. Yet, for many with ADHD, healthy habits are hard to sustain. From craving sugar to forgetting meals entirely, ADHD eating habits can create real health risks.

This episode explores:

  • Why protein and balanced nutrition are key to wound healing
  • How pain, immobility, and poor diet form a vicious cycle
  • The role of dopamine in sugar cravings and disordered eating
  • Why movement (not just “exercise”) is essential for recovery and brain health

Social Isolation, Independence, and Accepting Help

One of the hardest lessons for adults with ADHD? Accepting help. Many feel a fierce need for independence, even when support could change their recovery. But as Jami and Kayva share, healing often takes a village.

Important takeaways:

  • Social isolation worsens wound care outcomes
  • Family estrangement and strained relationships are common in ADHD
  • Accepting help allows others to give you the gift of support
  • Vulnerability and honesty with doctors can lead to better care

Why This Episode Matters

If you or a loved one over 50 has ADHD, this conversation is a must-listen. It shines a light on how ADHD isn’t just about focus and organization—it affects physical health, recovery, and overall well-being.

👉 Whether you’re navigating wound care, supporting a family member, or learning how ADHD shows up in unexpected ways, this episode offers compassion, practical insights, and the reminder that you’re not alone.

Resources & Community

Kayva Jha, wound care specialist and podcast guest on Grandma Has ADHD, discussing ADHD and wound healing challenges in adults over 50

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