Answers For Elders Radio Network

SilverKite Community Arts is transforming the way we think about healthy aging by helping older adults stay creative, connected, and confident. Founded by Jennifer Kulik in 2013, SilverKite offers engaging creative aging programs, intergenerational arts experiences, and professional development for senior-serving organizations. These programs are designed to help older adults tap into their creativity, maintain cognitive and emotional vitality, and build meaningful social connections — key components of healthy aging. In this episode of Answers for Elders, host Suzanne Newman welcomes Jennifer to explore how creativity can enhance quality of life for seniors and support families navigating the aging journey.During the conversation, Jennifer shares powerful stories from SilverKite’s work with Chateau Retirement communities, including an inspiring intergenerational project at Chateau Bothell Landing. Students interviewed older adult residents and created “memory boxes” celebrating their life stories, sparking deep friendships across generations. One fifth-grade student even built a travel-themed box complete with lights, maps, and a spinning globe—leading to a lasting bond that extended far beyond the program. These heartwarming connections illustrate how creative engagement helps seniors feel valued, seen, and socially connected while giving youth a meaningful window into aging, history, and empathy.With over 30 years of experience designing arts programs for older adults, youth, and retirement communities, Jennifer explains the developmental importance of creativity later in life—drawing on Erik Erikson’s theories of lifelong growth. As today’s seniors live longer, healthier, and more active lives, programs like SilverKite offer opportunities to explore new passions, maintain identity, and stay mentally sharp. Whether you’re an older adult looking to stay engaged, or a family member seeking ways to support aging parents, this episode shines a light on the powerful role the arts play in well-being, purpose, and healthy aging.Jen holds a Ph.D. in Theatre for Young Audiences from Arizona State University and an M.Ed. in Curriculum &amp; Instruction from the University of Washington.&nbsp;In 2012, she was awarded a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching fellowship to travel to Singapore.&nbsp;She received the Joseph F. Wall Service Award from Grinnell College in 2018. Jen presents at conferences worldwide.Chateau Retirement provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. They have been locally owned and family operated for more than 25 years. Chateau Retirement has three communities in Washington's Seattle/Puget Sound area: Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Bothell Landing in Bothell, and Chateau Valley Center in Renton. Visit them online or call 800.960.1944. Visit Chateau's specialist page on Answers for Elders.Connect with SilverKiteWebsite FacebookInstagramYouTubeVisit Answers for Elders.Mentioned in this episode:Chateau Retirement<a...

Suzanne Newman welcomes the SilverKite team of Jennifer Kulik (founder and CEO), McKenzie Wilson (Intergenerational &amp; Community Program Manager), and Mollia Jensen (Creative Aging Program Manager) on the Answers for Elders podcast, hosted by Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Washington. SilverKite helps older adults stay creative, connected, and confident with engaging creative aging programs, intergenerational arts experiences, and professional development for senior-serving organizations. These programs are designed to help older adults tap into their creativity, maintain cognitive and emotional vitality, and build meaningful social connections—key components of healthy aging.Jen says, "When I was three years old, my mother caught me in my room with two dolls, one named Purple and one named Orange, and they were talking to each other, and I had voices for both of them. So my mother decided to enroll me in theater classes at the local community college. When I got to middle school, I started having health problems. I lost my hair and I also was having a really hard time digesting food, so I lost a lot of weight. I was very thin and bald at age 11. [She was diagnosed with alopecia universalis.] So if you can imagine, that was a very difficult time in my life. I was bullied quite extensively during my middle school years and into high school. But during all of that time, I kept going to theater classes, I kept acting, I kept going there, and I was part of a community there that helped me to regain my confidence and my self-esteem. And it was a very powerful thing for me."So when I went off to college and started thinking about how the heck did I make it through this really difficult time, I realized that it was the arts. That was the thing that kept me going and helped me to recover myself during that difficult time. What can I do to help others who may be having a similar kind of thing happen to them? And so thus began my career in arts education and arts engagement. And I fell into intergenerational programs in 1999 when I was working on my master's degree, and a colleague and I were creating a curriculum for fourth and fifth graders about immigration that was social science and theater combined. And my colleague said, why don't we bring in some older adults from the community into the classroom to share their stories with the students about their immigration experience? And so we did that. And when I first saw this connection happening between these older adults and the youth, and was reminding myself about the great relationship I had with my own grandparents, it opened up a new door to me in thinking about how the arts can be a service to people and the community at large. So that is how I got started."Mollia adds, "Jen's story inspired me to understand my own even more, which is that I think I was born with a superpower that I didn't know I had, but I just did it, which is whenever life brought obstacles, I turned to the arts, and they just ended up being the healing arts. But they were always just the arts. And the arts are sort of like a portal I could always enter. And still to this day, that's what I'm doing, to be able to work at an organization that is always inviting people to create opportunities for people to enter that portal. Because what I've noticed about depression and loneliness in my own journey, and in others near to me, is sometimes it's as simple as a very small perspective shift, whether that stepping outside or whether that saying yes to come to an activity or a program, and then you're just in a whole new world. You're sitting at a table with people you didn't think you would be. You're on an outing. And I know that sometimes getting from here to there is is challenging for some individuals. But we're here to say say yes, come to the programs."For the past 30+ years Jennifer Kulik has designed and facilitated intergenerational arts, arts for youth, and arts for older...

Intergenerational connection is one of the most powerful tools for healthy aging—and SilverKite is leading the way. Their innovative programs create intentional spaces where older adults and youth build relationships, share life stories, and combat social isolation. Through creative arts, storytelling, and collaborative projects, SilverKite helps seniors find purpose, connection, and renewed confidence. In this episode of the Answers for Elders podcast, host Suzanne Newman welcomes SilverKite founder and CEO Dr. Jennifer Kulik, along with McKenzie Wilson, Intergenerational &amp; Community Program Manager, to explore how creativity enhances emotional wellness and quality of life for aging adults. This conversation was recorded at Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Washington.McKenzie shares insight into one of SilverKite’s most beloved initiatives: the Intergenerational Theater Company, now celebrating its 11th production. This unique program brings younger and older performers together to share real-life stories, transform them into powerful stage performances, and tour them across Seattle communities, libraries, and schools. McKenzie’s passion grew from her theater background and a desire to create meaningful community engagement. She describes how SilverKite’s mission—intentionally connecting people through their lived experiences—has shaped her work and reinforced the importance of joy, empathy, and human connection across generations.For more than 30 years, Dr. Jennifer Kulik has been a national leader in creative aging, designing arts-based programs for seniors, youth, retirement communities, schools, and social service organizations. Her expertise, combined with McKenzie’s innovative, people-centered approach, has helped SilverKite expand into a thriving organization committed to improving senior wellness through creativity. Together, they highlight programs designed to help older adults stay connected, engaged, and inspired. Whether you’re supporting an aging parent or looking for ways to stay active later in life, this episode offers uplifting insights and actionable ideas for aging with joy and purpose.McKenzie Wilson is a Seattle-based artist originally from North Carolina. She is dedicated to creating innovative, inspiring, and engaging projects that bring people together. With over 10 years of directing, writing, and performance experience across the country, Mckenzie delights in exploring and uplifting the vibrant cultures, communities, and stories around her, infusing her work with a playful spirit and a sense of wonder. Their work draws on the power of innovative storytelling and devised performance, inviting curiosity and discovery, with the intention to build authentic connection. She is always happy to connect — especially about creative pursuits, outdoor exploration, cats, and reality TV. She holds a BA in Dramatic Art and Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Chateau Retirement provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. They have been locally owned and family operated for more than 25 years. Chateau Retirement has three communities in Washington's Seattle/Puget Sound area: Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Bothell Landing in Bothell, and Chateau Valley Center in Renton. Visit them online or call 800.960.1944. Visit Chateau's specialist page on Answers for Elders.Connect with SilverKiteWebsite Facebook<a...

In this inspiring episode of Answers for Elders, Suzanne Newman returns to Chateau Retirement to explore the deeper meaning of creative aging with SilverKite’s Creative Aging Programs Manager, Mollia Jensen, and their founder and CEO Jennifer Kulik. Together, they dive into how SilverKite’s workshops, series, and intergenerational programs help older adults reconnect with creativity, emotional expression, and lifelong learning. From in-person classes to online experiences and community partnerships, SilverKite is redefining how seniors stay engaged, connected, and joyful.Mollia shares powerful insights from her 30+-year journey in the arts and creative aging field—beginning with her AmeriCorps work in memory care, where she used music and expressive arts to build meaningful connections. She explains how creative practices like painting, dance, writing, and mindfulness aren’t just hobbies—they awaken forgotten skills, support brain health, and help older adults tap into parts of themselves that may have been suppressed by years of structure or career routines. Whether through a single workshop or a six-week series, SilverKite programs create safe, playful, and growth-oriented environments for adults at every stage of aging.Listeners will also discover how SilverKite’s teaching artists collaborate with communities like Chateau Retirement to deliver experiences that strengthen social connection, encourage personal expression, and invite residents to explore creativity in everyday life. From expressive dance to DIY art projects to mindfulness-based sessions, these programs help seniors feel seen, supported, and inspired. If you're interested in how creativity enhances healthy aging—or you want to know what new residents can expect when they join a SilverKite-connected community—this episode offers heartfelt stories, surprising research, and practical examples of the power of creative play.For the past 30+ years Jennifer Kulik has designed and facilitated intergenerational arts, arts for youth, and arts for older adults programs for retirement communities, schools, theatre companies, and social service organizations. Jen holds a Ph.D. in Theatre for Young Audiences from Arizona State University and an M.Ed. in Curriculum &amp; Instruction from the University of Washington. In 2012, she was awarded a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching fellowship to travel to Singapore. She received the Joseph F. Wall Service Award from Grinnell College in 2018. Jen presents at conferences worldwide.Mollia Jensen has been a teaching artist for over 30 years. With roots in the theatre and wings in dance and writing, her path has engaged in leading programming with several arts, educational, community organizations and local creative classes. Mollia loves sharing moments of alchemy with others whether in a creative coaching session, in written words on the page, playing with swirling watercolors, or on the dance floor. She has an MFA in Writing from Pacific University.Chateau Retirement provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. They have been locally owned and family operated for more than 25 years. Chateau Retirement has three communities in Washington's Seattle/Puget Sound area: Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Bothell Landing in Bothell, and Chateau Valley Center in Renton. Visit them online or call 800.960.1944. Visit Chateau's specialist page on Answers for Elders.Connect with SilverKiteWebsite <a href="https://www.facebook.com/silverkitecommunityarts" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Celebrate an unforgettable milestone — 50 years of the Seattle Seahawks! — with a heartfelt conversation with long-time fans who have lived, breathed, and cheered through five decades of Seahawks football. In this episode, co-hosts Suzanne Newman (Answers for Elders) and Steve Raible (the Voice of the Seahawks) lead a roundtable sharing personal stories of growing up with the Seahawks, attending games across generations, and building lifelong friendships through the shared love of blue and green. Whether you’ve been following the team since the Kingdome days, or joined during the Legion of Boom era, this roundtable is full of nostalgia, pride, and powerful fan memories.Joining us for part 1: Steve Raible, co-host, Seahawks legend, the Voice of the Seattle Seahawks Jim Godfrey, owner of Chateau Retirement, OG 12 fan Sean Godfrey, VP of Chateau Retirement, OG 12 fan Dave and Susanne Payn, OG 12 fans, Chateau Valley Center residents Valerie Line, OG 12 fan, Chateau Pacific resident "Big Dave" Elk: OG 12 fan, Chateau Valley Center resident Jim Doughty, OG 12 fan, Chateau Pacific residentListeners will enjoy a warm, authentic discussion that highlights why Seahawks fandom is so special—especially for seniors and long-time football enthusiasts. From early family traditions to the excitement of game day rituals, this episode brings out the emotional heart of what it means to be a 12. You’ll hear what inspired these women to become dedicated fans, what keeps them connected to the team decades later, and how Seahawks culture has shaped their lives, relationships, and sense of community.Whether you're a dedicated fan celebrating the team’s 50-year legacy or someone who loves listening to real stories from real people, this video offers a unique, personal look back at Seahawks history from the fans who lived it. Join us as we honor the past and celebrate the present with memories, laughter, and the true spirit of Seattle football. Go Hawks!Special Thanks: The Seattle Seahawks Steve Raible The Sea Hawkers Booster Club and especially, The OG 12s!Mentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

💠Celebrate an unforgettable milestone — 50 years of the Seattle Seahawks! — with a heartfelt conversation with long-time fans who have lived, breathed, and cheered through five decades of Seahawks football. In this episode, co-hosts Suzanne Newman (Answers for Elders) and Steve Raible (the Voice of the Seahawks) lead a roundtable sharing personal stories of growing up with the Seahawks, attending games across generations, and building lifelong friendships through the shared love of blue and green. Whether you’ve been following the team since the Kingdome days, or joined during the Legion of Boom era, this roundtable is full of nostalgia, pride, and powerful fan memories.Joining us for part 2:Steve Raible, co-host, Seahawks legend, the Voice of the Seattle SeahawksJim Godfrey, owner of Chateau Retirement, OG 12 fanSean Godfrey, VP of Chateau Retirement, OG 12 fanAlyse Robinson: Sea Hawker President of the Central CouncilT.J. Edin: Sea Hawkers memberSharon Burlinson: Executive Director, Snohomish Senior Center"Big Dave" Elk: OG 12 fan, Chateau Valley Center residentAlena Edin: Seahawk team liaisonListeners will enjoy a warm, authentic discussion that highlights why Seahawks fandom is so special—especially for seniors and long-time football enthusiasts. From early family traditions to the excitement of game day rituals, this episode brings out the emotional heart of what it means to be a 12. You’ll hear what inspired these women to become dedicated fans, what keeps them connected to the team decades later, and how Seahawks culture has shaped their lives, relationships, and sense of community.Whether you're a dedicated fan celebrating the team’s 50-year legacy or someone who loves listening to real stories from real people, this video offers a unique, personal look back at Seahawks history from the fans who lived it. Join us as we honor the past and celebrate the present with memories, laughter, and the true spirit of Seattle football. Go Hawks!Special Thanks:The Seattle SeahawksSteve RaibleThe Sea Hawkers Booster Cluband especially, The OG 12s!Mentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

Meghan Phelan, owner of Granny NANNIES of Miami, joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to talk about multiple facets of aging in place. In this segment, Meghan talks about home care agencies, including Granny NANNIES.Meghan says, "ADLs are those basic personal care, five things: showering/bathing, toileting, ambulation walking, feeding spoon-to-mouth, and dressing. Those are the five ADLs. But [home care] is bigger than that. When you're calling the right home care agency, they should be setting up a care plan with you, and going detail-by-detail the house dynamics. Who lives in the house? are there pets? Do we need to walk the pets? What kind of personal care do you prefer? So we go through even a kitchen – Who's cooking? What kind of meals do you like? – so, yes, we do those five ADLs, and they are trained to do that through state programs. However, what's more important is that personalized care plan. It's that 1-to-1 touch that you're getting when you set up the care plan. And then the big one is the personalities. Who gets along with who?"Meghan Phelan brings 18 years of experience in the elder care industry to her role as owner of Granny NANNIES of South Florida. After earning her BS in Health Service Administration from the University of Central Florida, she began her career as Sales and Marketing Director at a luxury assisted living facility in Orlando, where she developed a true passion for serving seniors. While working there, Meghan noticed a common theme: many residents, despite the high-quality care and beautiful environment, would have chosen to remain in their homes if possible. Inspired by this insight, Meghan spearheaded the launch of the facility’s first-ever home care division. This experience ignited her desire to establish her own elder care business, leading her to South Florida—a natural choice, as her business partner hailed from Miami. In 2011, she opened Granny NANNIES of Miami, licensed by AHCA (Agency for Health Care Administration), and has provided care to the community for 13 years. Over the years, her business has expanded with a satellite office in the Florida Keys, establishing a respected presence throughout South Florida.Now based in Miami with her son and two daughters, Meghan remains dedicated to providing compassionate, empathetic elder care. As an Alzheimer’s Association community educator and support group facilitator, she works to ensure seniors can age with dignity and comfort in their own homes. Meghan’s commitment is to make Granny NANNIES a trusted resource for families seeking quality care for their loved ones.Granny NANNIES of South Florida provides in-home care to seniors aged 65 and older, and individuals with chronic conditions or disabilities who prefer to remain in their homes. They service Miami, the Florida Keys, and surrounding regions. They provide compassionate, personalized care that respects the unique needs of South Florida’s diversecommunity and are a trusted resource for elder care for clients from across the U.S.✨ Connect with Meghan at 305.591.1818, GrannyNannies.com/Miami or through social media:💠 Instagram: grannynannies_southflorida💠 Facebook: @grannynanniesmiamidade💠 LinkedIn: @granny-nannies-of-miami-fl-24010510💠 Youtube: @grannynanniesseniorhomecar615Mentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

Addison is an AI-powered virtual caregiver for a senior loved one designed to provide 24/7 care and safety support from home. Addison provides real-time health monitoring, continuous support for the at-risk, aging and ill, designed with tons of built-in tracking and monitoring features like GPS, fall detection, insulin tracking, and more. Addison helps patients better manage their health, improve the efficacy of caregivers, and improve their quality of life. Addison also helps to overcome social isolation and poor mood as a companion.Meghan Phelan joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to talk about the benefits of bringing Addison into the home of a senior loved one. Meghan says, "It's a monitor, like an iPad. So you get the monitor and then you pick as many devices as you want to go along with it. It comes with two. So that can be for monitoring. It could be like insulin checks, it could be there's other GPS trackers. So it's all these little gadgets that come with it. But you personalize what you want. I think a lot of the most sought after are the fall monitoring. So they'll plug in the sensors, set up reminders, and they'll set up the vitals that you want to track to your doctor. You also get TeleHealth access to a doctor, literally called PocketMD. And you know how it goes on the weekends. So if you wake up and all of a sudden something's not right, all you have to do is is reach out to somebody right there, right on the screen. Hey, Addison, can you call the doctor?"Meghan adds, "We haven't even talked about was the companionship side of it. We all have Chat GPT now on our phones, and I say that that's my best friend, you know. And the same thing goes for Addison. She's on there, and Addison can fetch, 'Hey, I want to make a spaghetti recipe tonight. Can you put me together something?' you know, or 'Can we do some chair exercises?' So the whole part of the physical help, yes, the monitoring is there, but also what comes with Addison is the companionship side."✨ Call Meghan to set up a demo of the Electronic Caregiver, featuring Addison and Pocket M.D., at 786.759.1676.Mentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

Meghan Phelan joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to talk about making an aging in place plan, even if you never need to use it. Meghan says, "Everybody needs an age-in-place plan. Whether you activate that age-in-place plan, we don't know, but at least you have it in place. One is, to get your physical space ready. Number two is A.I., and what are we doing with technology? And number three is the human part of it: Do you have your team place, a CPA, an attorney, living wills, and all that, home care teams. And do you know your market? You need to know your market. So when I talk aging in place plan, those are the three things that I focus on."In this segment, Meghan and Suzanne go in depth at improving the safety of our home environment – "I look at bathroom, kitchen, hallways. Those are my first three... I usually recommend local safety experts that come in, and they'll do free safety inspections, and then they'll know where to get [whatever products are needed]." Then they tie it in with the addition of the Electronic Caregiver, an AI-powered virtual caregiver for a senior loved one designed to provide 24/7 care and safety support. ✨ Call Meghan to set up a demo of the Electronic Caregiver, featuring Addison and Pocket M.D., at 786.759.1676.Mentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

Meghan Phelan joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to talk about a TeleHealth service called Pocket M.D., as well as the expanded availability of support networks for seniors.Meghan says, "We call it the Pocket M.D. And basically it's like having a medical doctor in your back pocket, available to you 24/7 wherever you go, primary care in your back pocket. You're not paying for a doctor visit, because it's right there in your phone, all included in the Addison [AI] model of a subscription." Not feeling well? Just say, "Hey, Addison, can you call my Pocket M.D.? And they'll connect them with an M.D. on the other side. And from there, the M.D. will do the assessment and whatever is needed for follow-up care order... And in addition to that primary care aspect, there's wellness checks with nurses."Regarding support groups, Meghan says, "COVID was devastating, but in so many ways it opened the door for seniors to get more access to help, because a lot of businesses like mine and the Alzheimer's Association, we pivoted: how can we get to the client now? And that was virtually. So I do my support groups, and they do support groups through the Alzheimer's Association every month, and we do it online, or we do it call-in. But I'm on Zoom and that's how I'm running my support groups."✨ Call Meghan to set up a demo of the Electronic Caregiver, featuring Addison and Pocket M.D., at 786.759.1676.Mentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

Baby Boomers are redefining retirement, with 95% wanting to age in place. Aging-in-Place specialist Paul Kocharhook, President of Pathway Design + Construction joins the Trustcasters at Answers for Elders to share more about how to keep our homes safe as we age gracefully, how to live more fluidly and easily in your home, and how to transform our homes to support us as we age without compromising aesthetics.In this episode of Answers for Elders, Paul joins Suzanne Newman to talk about aging in place. If you're in your early sixties, life expectancy suggests you'll be alive for another 25 years. This is a great time to rethink your home and make sure that your environment supports you. Some parents may also want to pass on their home to a family member eventually – and in 25 years, their children will be a generation older as well. Aging in place is a huge need these days, especially with rising property values and the cost of health care.Pathway Design + Construction is a residential remodeling company that serves the Greater Seattle Puget Sound region in the state of Washington. With a specialty towards aging in place, Pathway tries to help you continue to evolve and live in your home long into the future.Visit PathwayDC.com or call 206-937-4809 for more information. If you're in the Seattle area, mention Answers for Elders to get a free consultation. Paul will come out, check out your home, make sure that it is safe, and talk about different potential projects, whether for now or in the future.Pathway on YouTube | National Homebuilders Association websiteVisit Answers for EldersMentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau RetirementWalk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

We develop strong emotional connections to our homes and neighborhoods. The pleasures and joys of doing yard work and trimming those roses can become an emotional trigger as these become more difficult as we age. Some also fear moving away and leaving those neighborhood attachments behind, that sense of belonging to a community.Aging-in-Place specialist Paul Kocharhook, President of Pathway Design + Construction, joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to share more about how to keep our homes safe as we age gracefully, how to live more fluidly and easily in your home, and how to transform our homes to support us as we age without compromising aesthetics.Suzanne asked what adjustments could be made to a home to help a senior who has dementia. Paul says, "There are things that we can do. Everybody's going to go through their dementia disease a little bit differently. But usually there's a caretaker in the home. My next door neighbor — when we lived in Renton here, my wife and I had bought our first house — the mother of the son who was living there, she had dementia. And she got up one night, turned on the stove, and caught the house on fire. I think it was a gas stove that she had turned on, and it caught the drapes on fire. But we have an opportunity to help mitigate those types of things. We can put in an induction cooktop that will never ignite like a gas stove would. Or sensory stuff, like an induction cooktop you can touch, but it can't burn you. So there's a lot of things that we can adapt to a remodel that that can help with, that it doesn't necessarily take away the disease in and of itself, but it can help adapt and make living a little bit easier."Pathway Design + Construction is a residential remodeling company that serves the Greater Seattle Puget Sound region in the state of Washington. With a specialty towards aging in place, Pathway tries to help you continue to evolve and live in your home long into the future.Visit PathwayDC.com or call 206-937-4809 for more information. If you're in the Seattle area, mention Answers for Elders to get a free consultation. Paul will come out, check out your home, make sure that it is safe, and talk about different potential projects, whether for now or in the future.Pathway on YouTube | National Homebuilders Association websiteVisit Answers for EldersMentioned in this episode:Walk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

Health care is expensive, and that transcends over to senior living. For many Baby Boomers, senior living has almost been priced out of their reach. One couple in Washington state lives in a nice community, but it costs $15,000 a month, and those funds go fast. Aging-in-Place specialist Paul Kocharhook, President of Pathway Design + Construction, joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to consider the general costs of senior care like assisted living or senior living vs. remodeling to help make our homes safer.Paul says, "I can help, go in, analyze a home, and maybe somebody has a disability right now and they're having trouble, say, moving up and down the stairs, and they only have one handrail. Well, okay, so let's add a second handrail. That can be a matter of a few thousand dollars — adding something to make it safer, so that you don't fall stairs, which then leads you to have to go into a care facility. I mean, you can spend $2,000 on something, or you can spend $10,000 on an ambulance ride. It doesn't add up to not try to age in place in your home. The longer you can continue to live in your home, and make it safe for yourself, the less financial burden you're going to face."We're talking about projects, and trying to make home safer, and maybe we're remodeling bathrooms. And those numbers are pretty shocking where you're going to get a $50- to $100,000 [quote for that]. But you can spend it rather quickly if you're if you're in a facility. And it's a one-time cost. Remodeling your home should be a one-time cost. Whereas the other one's a financial burden."What's an average cost for updating a bathroom? Paul says, "Usually it's a shower modification. They're going to be in the $30,000 range and go up from there... I love doing those because it's not as invasive of a remodel. I'm talking just a tub swap. I minimizes the trip hazard... or a shower with a curb that you have to step up and over. You're minimizing that trip hazard. It's amazing like how many clients I've had over the years that potentially one day wake up, and they've had a stroke or something, and they lose function of their left foot right there. So not having to step up and over is very helpful. It's just all these things that we have no control over sometimes."Pathway Design + Construction is a residential remodeling company that serves the Greater Seattle Puget Sound region in the state of Washington. With a specialty towards aging in place, Pathway tries to help you continue to evolve and live in your home long into the future.Visit PathwayDC.com or call 206-937-4809 for more information. If you're in the Seattle area, mention Answers for Elders to get a free consultation. Paul will come out, check out your home, make sure that it is safe, and talk about different potential projects, whether for now or in the future.Pathway on YouTube | National Homebuilders Association websiteVisit Answers for EldersMentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau RetirementWalk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

55% of seniors falls happen inside the home, and many are preventable with modifications. 69% of seniors say that technology helps them stay independent. And 24 million Americans are unpaid family caregivers, which could mean an adult child or a spouse. One of the things that we are seeing is that the spouse gets so stressed out taking care of a loved one that they end up dying before the loved one does. Living in a place where there's less stress, more functionality, makes things easier. Aging-in-Place specialist Paul Kocharhook, President of Pathway Design + Construction, joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to share examples of universal design: reducing clutter, improving safety, accessibility, and using technology so that we can continue to live in our homes as we age gracefully.For example, Paul says, "We've had homes where we have, say, one spouse that is blind and one is deaf. If there's a fire in the home, how do we adapt to both of those issues. One can't see a strobe light, and the other one can't hear the alarm. So we're putting in combinations, strobe light plus the audible noise, or sometimes it's even vibration. If they carry their phone around with them on a consistent basis, or they might have some sort of a device that they also have with them, that might just notify them of an issue within the home."I've heard from clients, 'I don't want a ramp in the front of my house because I don't want to make myself noticeable to somebody driving by who would then potentially take advantage of me.' How do we how do we use technology that's available to us to put a lift in the home? Get us down to the garage level, or something like that, because you still want to keep your car in the garage, right?"We talked about induction cooktops, or locations of dishwashers. Bending over as you get older is not as easy. When there's two of you living in the home, then you don't need that big dishwasher. So we do a half dishwasher, and that's raised up, so that it's high enough so you're not having to bend over to pull your dishes in and out. It's fantastic for somebody in a wheelchair as well. Makes it very accessible."Are there other things that we've done for technology wise – different types of outlets. So if you are in a wheelchair, sometimes [an outlet] isn't where you can access it easily. We can drop them into drawers or countertops now, as opposed to a back wall. Touch faucets are pretty awesome as well. You don't have to manually turn knobs, we can just touch it and turn it off and turn it on. And those are fantastic whether you have a disability or not. You're [preparing] chicken in the kitchen, you don't want to touch the faucet, so you just touch with the back of your hand."Pathway Design + Construction is a residential remodeling company that serves the Greater Seattle Puget Sound region in the state of Washington. With a speciality towards aging in place, Pathway tries to help you continue to evolve and live in your home long into the future.Visit PathwayDC.com or call 206-937-4809 for more information. If you're in the Seattle area, mention Answers for Elders to get a free consultation. Paul will come out, check out your home, make sure that it is safe, and talk about different potential projects, whether for now or in the future.Pathway on YouTube | National Homebuilders Association websiteVisit Answers for EldersMentioned in this...

95% of baby boomers have a high goal to stay in their own home and find ways to be safe, or maybe downsize into a smaller place if you've got a home that is too big for you. If you are interested yourself, aging in place, or maybe you have a parent that says 'I am not I am not going to senior living, I want to stay at home as as I age,' this episode is for you. Kevin Guttman from C2 Financial joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to discuss the ins and outs of reverse mortgage. C2 Financial is the third largest mortgage broker in the country and the number one reverse mortgage broker in the country with 1,200 loan officers.Kevin says, "I think about the first book I wrote, called A Swiss Army Knife for Retirement Cash Flow. And basically what I did is I interviewed my clients and just asked, how has a reverse mortgage helped you? There's just so many stories of how it's allowed them to have a better quality of life. And some of the stories, honestly, were heartbreaking, because people were living a substandard existence in retirement because they're on a fixed income. Inflation has been a real thing in the last few years. Prices have gone up, and then we get small little increases from Social Security that don't really cover the higher expenses they have. "And so here's the struggle. The number one fear a senior has is outliving their money, because baby boomers are healthy, they're living longer. They have a fixed amount of money. They don't know how long that's gonna last. They're not sure if they're going to run out of money. So what I tell people is, no, you may never need it, but why not get it and let it just sit there. And if you ever do need it – in fact, there's a lady and her husband closed today, and that's exactly what she said. This is just the safety net for us. They may never need it. Well, good for you for planning ahead and being ready just in case life smacks upside the head. Now you need a new roof, or you have a medical thing. Something happens where now you've got a chunk of money to access if you need it."💠 Connect with Kevin Guttman and C2 Financial at 877.251.9729.💠 Visit C2 Financial's website for research, essays, videos, interviews💠 Ebook: Betty’s Story: A Prudent Senior Citizen’s Guide to A Reverse Mortgage Loan✨ Visit Answers for Elders onlineMentioned in this episode:Walk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

Kevin Guttman from C2 Financial joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to discuss the ins and outs of reverse mortgage. In this segment, Kevin goes through the math to show how it was better for one family to stay in their home rather than downsizing to an apartment. C2 Financial is the third largest mortgage broker in the country and the number one reverse mortgage broker in the country with 1,200 loan officers.Kevin says, "It really is a financial tool. It's a lot more than a mortgage. It's a lot more than a traditional mortgage. With a mortgage, you pay a payment. You stay in your house. Right. Reverse mortgage. You don't have to pay a payment. You stay in your house. You get access to your equity, grows tax free on a line of credit when you access the money by lump sum payments. That's also tax free. So it just gives people flexibility. It just gives them this peace of mind, the safety net, that, okay, I'm going to be okay. I have enough money and not to worry."I had a couple, probably nine years ago now, and they said, we're going to sell our house and rent — And I grew up in a real estate home in Southern California. My dad was a realtor and an investor, and he drilled it into my brother and I to buy a house as soon as you can, you're paying your landlord's mortgage. — And so I said, let me do the math to see if that's a good option for you. So I took the average rent in in our city, which I think for a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment was $1,200 dollars at the time. And it increased by 2% a year. They were 62. I did it for 25 years because a financial planner says plan on living 30 years in retirement. But I did 25 years, and then I calculated the depreciation that they would forfeit on the house if they sold it. I use 4% a year. Wow. That number came up to — are you ready? — $1.5 million."I said, look, if I were you, it's not my money. It's not my house, you do whatever you want, but these are the numbers. You're forfeiting this amount of equity. You're paying this amount of rent. You're giving up control. You're allowing your landlord to determine what he's going to fix if he's going to fix it versus you keeping your home and having access to the equity if you need it. It's a lot better, a lot more security, a lot more certainty if you stay in your home. You do whatever you want, it's your home. But I just want you to understand the math behind it."💠 Connect with Kevin Guttman and C2 Financial at 877.251.9729.💠 Visit C2 Financial's website for research, essays, videos, interviews💠 Ebook: Betty’s Story: A Prudent Senior Citizen’s Guide to A Reverse Mortgage Loan✨ Visit Answers for Elders onlineMentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau RetirementWalk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

Kevin Guttman from C2 Financial joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to discuss the ins and outs of reverse mortgage. In this segment, Kevin explains how the value of your home's equity can help you age in place in your later years through a reverse mortgage. C2 Financial is the third largest mortgage broker in the country and the number one reverse mortgage broker in the country with 1,200 loan officers.Kevin says, "Most people have the bulk of their net worth, probably two thirds or more of their net worth, in their home. There are three ways we can get to our equity. We can sell – pay the broker 6 percent – do a cash out refinance or home equity line of credit with a monthly mortgage payment. Or we can do a reverse mortgage, in which we have an optional payment, but have access to the equity."So the way it works is, let's say somebody has a $500,000 home, which is not too uncommon these days. And we'll just say they're 62. A spouse can be younger, but at least one needs to be 62. So let's say they can borrow about 35%. So let me do the math real quick. $500,000 times 35%, $175,000. They don't need the money, they're still working, but they know the time value of money. When we were in our twenties, the financial planners told us start investing in your twenties, you need to have time on your side so your money can grow. So if they get it at 62, and they're planning to work till 70, but now they have this line of credit, $175,000, and they don't need the money. So they let it ride, so to speak, for ten years. And that line of credit can double in ten years, potentially. So now they don't have $175, now they have $350, and they can turn that into monthly payments or a lump sum. They still don't need the money, because they have investments. They're doing fine and started taking Social Security. Now they let it ride another ten years. Now they're 82, so they've had the reverse mortgage for 20 years. And now that line of credit has grown to $700,000. Tax free, monthly payments, or lump sum. Turns out one of them get sick, which is not too uncommon. They need some help. So they bring somebody in a couple hours a day. We'll just say three or 4 hours a day, Monday through Friday. Instead of having a family member leave their job, come and care for the parents, they have money, they can pay somebody to come and care for them. So they can age in place."Kevin adds, "A reverse mortgage is like a fingerprint. It's unique to each individual, each couple. We can tailor it to help them accomplish what they're looking to do."💠 Connect with Kevin Guttman and C2 Financial at 877.251.9729.💠 Visit C2 Financial's website for research, essays, videos, interviews💠 Ebook: Betty’s Story: A Prudent Senior Citizen’s Guide to A Reverse Mortgage Loan✨ Visit Answers for Elders onlineMentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau RetirementWalk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

Kevin Guttman from C2 Financial joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to discuss the ins and outs of reverse mortgage. In this segment, Kevin talks about how to purchase a new home using a reverse mortgage instead of a traditional mortgage loan.. C2 Financial is the third largest mortgage broker in the country and the number one reverse mortgage broker in the country with 1,200 loan officers.Kevin says, "When somebody decides to buy a home, they have three ways they can finance it. Cash. A traditional loan, with a monthly payment. Or a reverse mortgage, where they make one large down payment, we'll call it 65%. It varies. It depends on their age and different things, but let's just say 65%. But then they have no more monthly mortgage payment. The mortgage payment's optional. They can make a payment if they choose to, but they don't have to. So who's a good candidate for this? Let's say somebody who's lived in their home a long time, 20, 30, 40 years. Maybe the neighborhood's changed. Maybe they don't feel safe anymore. Maybe they want to live closer to their family, or their doctor. Maybe they can't do the stairs, or the maintenance on the house is too much."I have a great story about this. There was a family that moved back to Colorado Springs from northwest Arkansas, and the husband had to be on oxygen at altitude because we're 7,000 feet above sea level, and he couldn't breathe very well. And so his wife leaves the room for a minute while I'm talking with them. And he says, 'Listen, this is important to me. I need to make sure my wife's going to be okay. I'm not long for the Earth. I'm sick, I'm dying, and I need to be sure she's okay.' So what does that look like? He said, 'Well, I need the right home, a low maintenance home.' They ended up buying a condo where they're just responsible for the inside. 'We need to put enough down to where she doesn't have a monthly payment, and I need to be sure it's in a safe area.' So the realtor took care of the condo and the location. I helped with the financing. Sure enough, at the time, they only had to put 50% down. This was several years ago, interest rates were half what they are today. But four months later, the wife calls and says, 'I just want to let you know that Bill passed away, and you had told us that we could stay in this home as long as we paid the property taxes and the insurance on time, and not have a monthly mortgage payment. Is that right?' I said that's correct. Big sigh of relief. She says, 'Oh, good. That's the only way I can afford to stay in my home.' Why? Because they just lost his income. Their reverse mortgage changed her life."This is a game changer for people, If they only understood, 'Oh, I can finance a home with a first mortgage, I put one large down payment down. I don't have a monthly mortgage payment. And I'm in a safer home, safer neighborhood, maybe gated community, that kind of thing. Low or no maintenance. It's amazing."💠 Connect with Kevin Guttman and C2 Financial at 877.251.9729.💠 Visit C2 Financial's website for research, essays, videos, interviews💠 Ebook: Betty’s Story: A Prudent Senior Citizen’s Guide to A Reverse Mortgage Loan✨ Visit Answers for Elders onlineMentioned in this episode:Walk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

Caregiving has changed dramatically across generations—and today’s women over 40 are leading a new kind of caregiving revolution. In this episode of Answers for Elders, Suzanne Newman welcomes Vivatude hosts Tracy Cromwell and Anu Arora for a candid conversation about how caregiving looks different for Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y. Together, they explore how women in the “sandwich generation” are balancing family, career, and the care of aging loved ones—all while trying to maintain their own physical, social, and occupational wellness.Tracy Cromwell, a certified health coach and fitness professional, shares how physical wellness evolves as we age—and how today’s Gen X and Gen Y caregivers are more proactive about self-care and technology-supported health habits than previous generations. Meanwhile, Anu Arora, a leadership and mindfulness coach, dives into the growing epidemic of loneliness and why connection is the key to thriving, not just surviving, in caregiving. They discuss how modern caregivers are redefining wellness, finding new ways to cope with stress, and building communities of support both at home and in the workplace.If you’re a woman over 40 navigating caregiving, this conversation is for you. Learn how to balance your own wellness while caring for others, discover generational insights that can make your journey easier, and hear empowering advice from two experts who understand the emotional, physical, and mental challenges of caregiving today. Subscribe to Answers for Elders Radio Network and Vivatude for more empowering conversations designed to help you live well, stay strong, and thrive through every season of life.✨ Connect with Us💠 Subscribe to Vivatude: https://www.youtube.com/@vivatude💠 Watch Vivatude episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAaH5P8bm1O2DNFGvKx2uh0rqhA8fWo7F💠 Tracy Cromwell - YouTube: 👉 @tracycromwell - Podcasts: 👉 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/tracy-cromwell- Interviews: 👉 https://tracycromwell.com/pages/interviews-with-tracy-cromwell💠 Anu Arora - Website: https://www.anuarora.com/- YouTube: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@speakeranuarora- Facebook: 👉 https://www.facebook.com/anuarora21/Mentioned in this episode:Walk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

Caregiving is both a gift and a challenge, especially for women over 40 balancing family, work, and personal wellness. In this episode of Answers for Elders Radio Network, Suzanne Newman joins Tracy Cromwell and Anu Arora from the Vivatude podcast to explore the first three essential rules of caregiving: 1) Take care of your loved one, 2) Take care of yourself, and 3) Support the primary caregiver. Through stories, practical strategies, and lived experiences, our hosts show how these rules can help caregivers maintain balance, reduce stress, and navigate the complexities of modern caregiving.Physical, social, and occupational wellness are key to sustaining caregiving energy and resilience. Tracy highlights how physical wellness—through movement, proper nutrition, and stress management—keeps caregivers strong and prevents burnout. Anu shares how social and intellectual wellness, including connection, communication, and emotional support, help caregivers feel less isolated and more empowered. Together, they reveal strategies for managing the intense demands of caregiving while preserving your health, relationships, and sense of purpose.If you’re a woman over 40 caring for a loved one, this episode offers guidance, encouragement, and actionable tips. Learn how to care for yourself as much as you care for others, discover the importance of supporting primary caregivers, and find ways to build meaningful connections in your community. Subscribe to Answers for Elders and Vivatude to access more empowering conversations that help women navigate caregiving with strength, joy, and balance.✨ Connect with Us💠 Subscribe to Vivatude: https://www.youtube.com/@vivatude💠 Watch Vivatude episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAaH5P8bm1O2DNFGvKx2uh0rqhA8fWo7F💠 Tracy Cromwell - YouTube: 👉 @tracycromwell - Podcasts: 👉 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/tracy-cromwell- Interviews: 👉 https://tracycromwell.com/pages/interviews-with-tracy-cromwell💠 Anu Arora - Website: https://www.anuarora.com/- YouTube: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@speakeranuarora- Facebook: 👉 https://www.facebook.com/anuarora21/💠 Answers for Elders - Website: 👉 https://answersforelders.com/ Mentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau RetirementWalk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

Communication is essential for caregivers, especially women over 40 navigating the challenges of supporting a senior loved one. In this episode of Answers for Elders Radio Network, Suzanne Newman sits down with Tracy Cromwell and Anu Arora from the Vivatude podcast to discuss the power of intentional, compassionate communication. Learn why expressing needs, clarifying intentions, and engaging in honest dialogue can transform the caregiving experience, strengthen relationships, and reduce stress while caring for aging family members.Physical, social, and occupational wellness are deeply connected to effective communication. Tracy explains how stress affects the body and why physical wellness—through movement, mindfulness, and self-care—supports clear, calm interactions with loved ones. Anu highlights the importance of social wellness, showing how connection, empathy, and supportive networks can prevent isolation and help caregivers maintain balance. Occupational wellness is also key, as setting boundaries and clarifying roles with family and care teams ensures that caregiving responsibilities remain manageable and sustainable.If you’re a woman over 40 caring for a senior loved one, this episode is packed with practical guidance and inspiration. Discover strategies for communicating with dignity, responding rather than reacting, and making the invisible visible in your caregiving relationships. Subscribe to Answers for Elders and Vivatude for more empowering conversations that help women navigate caregiving with grace, confidence, and balance.✨ Connect with Us💠 Subscribe to Vivatude: https://www.youtube.com/@vivatude💠 Watch Vivatude episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAaH5P8bm1O2DNFGvKx2uh0rqhA8fWo7F💠 Tracy Cromwell - YouTube: 👉 @tracycromwell - Podcasts: 👉 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/tracy-cromwell- Interviews: 👉 https://tracycromwell.com/pages/interviews-with-tracy-cromwell💠 Anu Arora - Website: https://www.anuarora.com/- YouTube: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@speakeranuarora- Facebook: 👉 https://www.facebook.com/anuarora21/💠 Answers for Elders - Website: 👉 https://answersforelders.com/ Mentioned in this episode:Walk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

Gratitude can transform the caregiving experience, especially for women over 40 supporting a senior loved one. In this episode of Answers for Elders Radio Network, Suzanne Newman sits down with Tracy Cromwell and Anu Arora from the Vivatude podcast to explore the powerful role of gratitude in caregiving. Discover how embracing appreciation—even in challenging circumstances—can shift your perspective, reduce stress, and help you find meaning in every caregiving moment.Physical, social, and occupational wellness are deeply connected to practicing gratitude. Tracy explains how acknowledging and appreciating your body’s strength can boost energy, improve health, and enhance resilience. Anu highlights the impact of gratitude on social wellness, showing how nurturing supportive relationships and trusting your circle can help caregivers feel less isolated and more connected. Occupational wellness is strengthened when caregivers approach their responsibilities with purpose, mindfulness, and a sense of privilege, turning everyday tasks into moments of growth and fulfillment.If you’re a woman over 40 caring for a senior loved one, this episode is packed with practical strategies and inspiration. Learn how to reframe challenges, create a gratitude practice, and cultivate joy while caring for your loved ones. Subscribe to Answers for Elders and Vivatude for more empowering conversations that help women navigate caregiving with balance, grace, and emotional resilience.✨ Connect with Us💠 Subscribe to Vivatude: https://www.youtube.com/@vivatude💠 Watch Vivatude episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAaH5P8bm1O2DNFGvKx2uh0rqhA8fWo7F💠 Tracy Cromwell - YouTube: 👉 @tracycromwell - Podcasts: 👉 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/tracy-cromwell- Interviews: 👉 https://tracycromwell.com/pages/interviews-with-tracy-cromwell💠 Anu Arora - Website: https://www.anuarora.com/- YouTube: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@speakeranuarora- Facebook: 👉 https://www.facebook.com/anuarora21/💠 Answers for Elders - Website: 👉 https://answersforelders.com/ Mentioned in this episode:Walk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

Mark Goddard, Vice President of Clinical Services at InfoBionic.ai, joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio show to talk about how technology is evolving to save lives when it comes to atrial fibrillation, cardiovascular disease, and coronary heart disease.Mark explains, "Atrial fibrillation causes blood clots to form. And those blood clots can transmit through your body and wind up in your head or your lungs or your heart or your extremities. So atrial fibrillation needs to be well understood. The symptoms need to be discussed, especially with elderly patients who aren't as necessarily active and may not have the same symptoms as someone who is active would have related to fibrillation. People need to understand the impact and relevance of such an arrhythmia."Learn more about InfoBionic's AI-enabled MoMe ARC remote heart monitoring device which sends data in near real time to the cloud for review.Connect with Answers for Elders WebsiteAnswers for Elders Podcasts on YouTubeMentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau RetirementWalk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

Mark Goddard talks about InfoBionic.ai's MoMe ARC device which transmits data in near real time. It's a wearable device, either as a patch you stick to your chest, or one that has three electrodes that you could wear. You just need to be within 30 feet of the data transmitter, which sends data to the cloud for review. It's easy to wear, and you don't even notice that you're wearing it. The company says its virtual telemetry solutions set the highest standard in a continuous monitoring capability to enable more proactive and timely cardiac interventions. They are working with AI to develop a method to try to prevent atrial fibrillation altogether. Mark is Vice President of Clinical Services at InfoBionic.ai.Learn more about InfoBionic's AI-enabled MoMe ARC remote heart monitoring device which sends data in near real time to the cloud for review.Connect with Answers for Elders WebsiteAnswers for Elders Podcasts on YouTubeMentioned in this episode:Walk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

Mark Goddard, Vice President of Clinical Services at InfoBionic.com, joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio show to talk about how AI is being used to monitor atrial fibrillation and save lifes.Mark explains, "Artificial intelligence is making a big change. Our first AI algorithm approved by the FDA and we're going to deploy on our system is one that will tell the medical practitioner whether the heart pumping function is normal or not normal. If the normal amount of blood is being injected out of their heart with every heartbeat, it'll say, okay, we're good. If it's not, it'll let the practitioner know that things aren't good, and that's associated with heart failure. So it's a great tool that will be able to be used with an EKG that's a bit of a game changer, and it will be deployed in the next six months."Learn more about InfoBionic's AI-enabled MoMe ARC remote heart monitoring device which sends data in near real time to the cloud for review.Connect with Answers for Elders WebsiteAnswers for Elders Podcasts on YouTubeMentioned in this episode:Walk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

Good health practices can avoid developing heart problems. We can improve our quality of life by getting enough sleep, keeping active, and eating well. Mark Goddard, Vice President of Clinical Services at InfoBionic.ai, joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio show to talk about keeping our heart healthy.Mark says, "It'll make a big difference in the way you feel. And and while we're still here, we always want to feel as good as we possibly can and do as much as we can. So following the traditional suggestions related to diet, don't eat foods with lots of preservatives within them."Hydration is critical. It's a whole other subject, because the concentration of what they call electrolytes within your body is critical in maintaining normal heart rhythm. Having electrolytes that are completely out of balance quite often causes arrhythmias that are far more lethal than atrial fibrillation, ones that can create a bad scenario within a few seconds, not a few hours or days."Making sure your blood pressure is maintained appropriately, your blood sugar is okay, making sure your lipids are good too. You don't want anything going on that's going to change the structure of your heart. And if it does, then you wind up with [the potential for] arrhythmias..Learn more about InfoBionic's AI-enabled MoMe ARC remote heart monitoring device which sends data in near real time to the cloud for review.Connect with Answers for Elders WebsiteAnswers for Elders Podcasts on YouTubeMentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau RetirementWalk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

Discover why residents can’t stop raving about the food at Chateau Retirement Communities in Washington—a rare distinction in senior living! In this episode of the Answers for Elders podcast, host Suzanne Newman sits down with Tom Wichert, Vice President of Culinary Services. He shares how passion, creativity, and genuine care for residents have transformed dining into an experience that feels more like fine dining than a cafeteria meal.Tom previously worked for a family-run restaurant, the Cheesecake Factory, and Ruths Chris Steakhouse before moving to Washington to become the Chef at the Bellevue Restaurant. Wanting a better work/life balance, he joined Chateau in 2012. He attributes their success to his team, having skilled and incredible directors in each building, with tons of experience and longevity with Chateau.Tom's hobby is custom-brewed beer, and he shares that passion with residents through tastings and other events. Tom explains, "When I first started, it was me and another employee... so we started making in a bucket kind of thing. Then it just evolved. And I would say the last few years, I've gotten a little bit more involved in it, and thankfully, the Chateau has given me whatever I needed to do that, which is great. I was able to go to a brewing school three or four years ago and learn a lot of stuff that was helpful... "And I always get the residents involved. I do beer tastings in wine tastings as well. But the beer tasting, they keep asking me, Hey, do you got any beer in competition? Did you win anything? I've gotten a few gold medals, and the National Home Brewers competition.... The residents like it and they get a kick out of it, and opening it up to the residents, that is so special. There's something so unique for them to experience. It's fun to get involved with the residents, and to see them happy. Sometimes when I do a beer tasting, when I'm done, they they'll clap and they'll say, 'Thanks, Tom,' and then they start helping me clean up. I say, 'I have it. I'll clean it up. Don't start moving chairs, please. I got it.' But they still do it. So it's a family-type thing, like your family Thanksgiving, and everybody's pitches in and help clean up. So I kind of look at it that way."Chateau Retirement provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. They have been locally owned and family operated for more than 25 years. Chateau Retirement has three communities in Washington's Seattle/Puget Sound area: Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Bothell Landing in Bothell, and Chateau Valley Center in Renton. Visit them online or call 800.960.1944. Visit Chateau's specialist page on Answers for Elders.Mentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau RetirementWalk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

Discover why residents can’t stop raving about the food at Chateau Retirement Communities in Washington—a rare distinction in senior living! In this episode of the Answers for Elders podcast, host Suzanne Newman sits down with Sherrelle Collingridge, Culinary Service Director at Chateau Bothell Landing. She shares how passion, creativity, and genuine care for residents have transformed dining into an experience that feels more like fine dining than a cafeteria meal.Sherrelle attributes their great food to the employees and a wonderful team, whose dedication to the resident culinary experience is a big piece of that. Sherrelle runs three full-service restaurant-style dining rooms at Chateau Bothell Landing, which creates a lot more cross-training opportunities and options for growth, change of scenery, and so forth. The front of house staff in particular form very strong bonds with residents, and those relationships are why staff tend to stick around. The majority of front of house staff in particular are hired-in as high schoolers, often with no prior work experience. It is rewarding and satisfying to watch these kids as they learn and develop, a unique experience for them, and one of the more rewarding aspects of the job for her and her leadership team.&nbsp;Sherrelle has always worked in the industry, first having been hired as a server at Cristwood (now Cristwood Park) in junior high, and ended up getting a culinary degree at Edmonds Comm. College. Crista paid a management company to run the culinary program at Cristwood, and Sherrelle was fortunate to get a lot of training and development opportunities as a young manager. She joined Chateau Pacific in 2000, and over the years held several roles in the culinary program, including a three-year run as Executive Director at Chateau Pacific. She has been at Chateau Bothell Landing since 2013, and opened all three of the dining rooms on that campus.Chateau Retirement provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. They have been locally owned and family operated for more than 25 years. Chateau Retirement has three communities in Washington's Seattle/Puget Sound area: Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Bothell Landing in Bothell, and Chateau Valley Center in Renton. Visit them online or call 800.960.1944. Visit Chateau's specialist page on Answers for Elders.Mentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau RetirementWalk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

The food is raved about at Chateau Retirement in Washington, unusual for senior living communities. What makes Chateau different and have such great resident feedback? Chateau Retirement's Vice President Culinary Services Tom Wichert and Sherrelle Collingridge, Culinary Service Director at Chateau Bothell Landing, join Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast.How do Tom and Sherrelle see culinary services evolving in the future? Sherrelle says, "It will continue to focus on individual personalization. Every every ten years or so, we think this is going be the wave of the really healthy people. It hasn't quite happened yet. They say they want to be healthy, but when fried chicken is on the menu, we sell 90% of those specials. But other things, the gluten-, dairy-free, more of a global cuisine. It's no longer just about like American Chinese. They'll do Indian food, Mexican, Thai, and Vietnamese, and different cultures that we get a chance to play with. And our job is somewhat to educate the residents, to expose them to things that they maybe never had before. And they get annoyed sometimes, and ask, 'why don't you just call this sauce something simpler?' I'm like, 'Because this is what it's called.' So if you go to a restaurant now, you know what an airline chicken is now. You know what a beurre blanc is, because you got it and you can order it."Tom adds, "I think eating later is going to be a thing... We will get residents come in that want specifics things and have specific needs, so we will will cater to that as best we can. We really haven't had the really big push for some of the specialty things, but I think just an open variety of different kinds of things is happening. As far as individualizing goes, can you put something Thai on, or I saw this, or here's the recipe for this, could you do that for me, could you make that? Could you make this for grandma?"All together, well over 100 employees in the culinary. Tom says, "The hiring process is so important, getting the right people, and about the young kids, teenagers, for a lot of them it's their first job. The main thing with them is getting the right attitude. We can train them, do anything to serve. So getting the right person in there, that wants to be there. Residents love younger staff. They always have, because I think that to them that's that's the age of their grandparents."How does the restaurant style work at Chateau? Tom says, "I think the intensity of that, along with the caring that we do for the residents, comes together and all works really well. The staff is fantastic, and they care about the residents. We really care, and we really want to do the best for the residents. Whatever the resident wants, we're going to do our best to it."Sherrelle says, "I don't want to overuse the term family, but I spend more time with my dining room managers than I do my own kids, who are now grown up and in their twenties now. But they're my work kids, they're my frontline staff as well. So I'm kind of pouring into those guys, so they can pour into the servers and the residents, it all kind of flows together."Chateau Retirement provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. They have been locally owned and family operated for more than 25 years. Chateau Retirement has three communities in Washington's Seattle/Puget Sound area: Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Bothell Landing in Bothell, and Chateau Valley Center in Renton. Visit them online or call 800.960.1944. Visit Chateau's specialist page on Answers for Elders.Mentioned in this episode:Walk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at...

Vivatude is more than a new YouTube channel — it’s a movement and mindset for women over 40 who want to live with emotional strength, financial freedom, spiritual clarity, and vibrant health. YouTube hosts Lauren Archer, Kate Phillips, Tracy Cromwell, and Anu Arora join Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to introduce themselves and the brand new show Vivatude.Many woman over the age of 40 are part of the sandwich generation. You may be looking at kids still at home and caring for a senior loved one. You also may be dealing with a career that has gone a little bit stagnant. You don't know how to advance your career. Maybe if your kids have left home, you're looking at yourself in the mirror wondering, is that all there is? What's my next chapter? We believe that your next chapter could be your best chapter.Lauren Archer explores pathways to greater fulfillment, energy, and joy on Vivatude. Get ready to be encouraged, uplifted, and reminded that no matter where you are in life, you can spark your vitality and begin again.Kate Phillips joins the Vivatude team eager to share the “Rich Life Revival”—a journey of discovery that allows us to rewrite the rules when life throws curveballs! The Rich Life isn’t a net worth number or a retirement date. It’s living a life of purpose and prosperity right now, right where you are.Tracy Cromwell knows the struggles associated with food, body image, stress, poor gut health, and self-confidence first-hand. In 2006 Tracy was 180 lbs, diagnosed with pre-diabetes, and living the chaotic life of a yo-yo dieter. Her personal journey to health recovery inspired her to change careers so that she could walk alongside others and support them as they walk their own journeys to health. Tracy is the ideal coach for the confused and frustrated dieter.Anu Arora is an executive and team coach, keynote speaker, and mindfulness expert who has dedicated her career to helping people lead with compassion, clarity, and courage. With more than two decades of experience in leadership at Microsoft and as the founder of Infinite Potential Leadership, Anu blends deep corporate expertise with a human-centered approach to growth. She is known for her ability to bring people together, unlock resilience, and create spaces where authenticity and connection thrive.Connect with usVivatude Podcast PlaylistMeet Our HostsFacebookMentioned in this episode:Walk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

Suzanne Newman welcomes Tracy Cromwell and Anu Arora, two of new Vivatude hosts. Tracy brings her expertise in physical and environmental wellness. Anu is a social and intellectual wellness coach.Tracy says, "I want to bring some techniques you can put into place very simply. You choose what's most important, and I help you figure out how to implement. I've really got some great guests lined up now. I've got an amazing organizer who's helped me immensely to organize my space because I know we're inviting environmental wellness, make it so that I can breathe in my own space and then I have other other guests that are going to bring wonderful tidbits about the things you could do for nutrition."Anu adds, "I work with teams, organizations, and individuals on the epidemics of our current times. We are lonelier than ever before, and human beings are meant to be social animals. We are called social animals, and yet we've just turned on to our devices and we somehow have imagined that those devices are going to bring us connections. And as a result, there's more mental illness than ever before. And what I want to bring is the understanding and I have such a huge network of relationship coaches and experts in this area. But just starting with, why is it important for us to go back to this basic need of belonging, of being together, and then from there, finding ways to connect and build trust in this isolated, scary world."Connect with usVivatude Podcast PlaylistMeet Our HostsFacebookMentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau RetirementWalk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

Vivatude host Lauren Archer joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show. Whether you’re navigating caregiving for a senior parent, rediscovering your identity in midlife, or seeking inspiration for your next chapter, you’ll find empowering tools, heartfelt stories, and expert insights right here with spiritual and emotional wellness host Lauren Archer.Lauren says, "I think of it as the heart and soul, and it's those invisible things. We can have a lot of things going right on the outside. And yet, you have one piece of emotional stress in your life, and it's enough to bring it to your knees. It can be all-consuming. And with the degree of fear and division and uncertainty happening in the world, it's affecting our nervous system. So I'm going to be bringing experts and authors and women who have walked through the fire of their own transformation to share some stories and some practices about what they've done. When we address the underlying emotions, we can experience big shifts. And then on a spiritual level, we are not talking about religion. We are talking more about how each individual finds their own sense of meaning, purpose and value. And when we're off, when we're doing things in our life that aren't in alignment with our values. We feel it, it's subtle, but we feel it. And so it's finding that connection again."Connect with usVivatude Podcast PlaylistMeet Our HostsFacebookMentioned in this episode:Walk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

Vivatude host Kate Phillips joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show. The new Vivatude YouTube channel helps women over 40 thrive with emotional strength, financial freedom &amp; vibrant health. Kate Phillips advises on financial and occupational wellness, a huge category when it comes to family caregiving.Kate says, "How are we funding our lives? What are we doing with our time that is hopefully bringing in the resources that we need? I like to call it purpose and prosperity. And if I added a third word, especially for caregivers, I think it would be creativity. And we might not be feeling super creative when we're caregiving, and we feel, maybe depleted. I love conversations around how do we use our homes in a creative way. Typically, your home is going to be your biggest expense, but my co-host, Lauren and I, we have both turned our primary home into a furnished rental. There's many strategies where we can use our home as an asset, or we can use it to create extra cash flow. So that's where the creativity comes in."Connect with usVivatude Podcast PlaylistMeet Our HostsFacebookMentioned in this episode:Walk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

Thinking about senior living for yourself or a loved one? In this inspiring episode of Answers for Elders, host Suzanne Newman sits down with Chateau Bothell Landing resident Erica Wolfkill. From her journey as a child immigrating from Germany after World War II to her decision to move into senior living at age 80, Erica shares powerful life lessons about resilience, family, and the importance of embracing community before it’s too late.Erica offers heartfelt advice for older adults and their adult children: don’t wait until you’re too old or unable to fully participate in life before moving into a retirement community. She explains how her daughters encouraged her to make the move while she was still active, giving her the opportunity to enjoy rich friendships, engaging activities, and peace of mind for the future. Erica’s story highlights the benefits of senior living communities that provide not only independence today but also access to assisted living and memory care services down the road.If you or your aging parent are starting to explore retirement communities, this conversation is a must-watch. Discover what life is really like at Chateau Retirement Communities, hear Erica’s first-hand experience about daily activities, dining, and staff support, and learn why planning early can lead to a more fulfilling lifestyle. Whether you’re an adult child looking for the best options for your parents, or a senior exploring your next chapter, Erica’s journey will give you insight, encouragement, and hope for the future.Chateau Retirement provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. They have been locally owned and family operated for more than 25 years. Chateau Retirement has three communities in Washington's Seattle/Puget Sound area: Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Bothell Landing in Bothell, and Chateau Valley Center in Renton. Visit them online or call 800.960.1944. Visit Chateau's specialist page on Answers for Elders.Mentioned in this episode:Walk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

In this inspiring episode of Answers for Elders, host Suzanne Newman sits down with retired Boeing engineer Don Haff. He share stories and his advice if you're thinking about senior living for yourself or a loved one. At 94, Don is energetic and vibrant, and joins the show after the day's Wii bowling tournament where he lives at Chateau Bothell Landing in Bothell, Washington.Don says, "I met my wife in college. We were a freshman together. And we got married between my sophomore and junior year, and we were married for 63 years... [She] had Parkinson's, but we didn't know it. After she was gone, I did more research into it, and found out that one of the symptoms of Parkinson's is that you have paranoia. And she went through a period where she was really paranoid. Most people who have Parkinson's, there's shaking. She never did that. But her problem was, they got to where she couldn't control her muscles and she couldn't swallow. And she starved to death. It was pretty painless for her. It is hard on me."But we were here then [at Bothell Landing], and I really thank my lucky stars that we were. And it was one of the best moves we made. We moved down there in January 2018, and so she was here a year and a half before she was gone. I really can't say enough good about the attention that we got for her. I guess I feel like we have about 250 roommates in here. Everybody was really kind, but we knew it was coming, it wasn't a surprise. So actually when it came, it was kind of a relief in a way. And of course I still miss her. "Everybody's so friendly. Even before we moved in, the marketing people, were just wonderful with questions and all this kind of stuff. One of the things that we were both impressed about, and we commented about this together, was when you went to the dining rooms, we were a name, not a number. We walk in and, oh hi Don and Kathy. And they didn't have to know our room number. Well, they knew our room number, but they talked with my name. Well, I always have a glass of milk. I always get a can of V8 to go for my breakfast. Before I even sit down, they come up with the milk. They pay attention and they have better memories than me! I'm so delighted [with the food]. Oh my gosh, they make good soup."I'm on the dining committee, and. And I'm on the activity committee, and, well, I like to know what's going on. I go to almost every movie and we have a lot of documentaries and regular movies now. We have to do opera once a month. And so it's like, wow, there's plenty to do."Chateau Retirement provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. They have been locally owned and family operated for more than 25 years. Chateau Retirement has three communities in Washington's Seattle/Puget Sound area: Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Bothell Landing in Bothell, and Chateau Valley Center in Renton. Visit them online or call 800.960.1944. Visit Chateau's specialist page on Answers for Elders.Mentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau RetirementWalk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

Community Relations Directors Ashley Cochran and Katie Vail at Chateau Retirement join Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast. They talk about what's hard about working in the senior living industry as well as what makes it such a worthwhile career. They also share what families should know about the tour process and making the decision about which community to choose. They provide their best advice for family's making the decision to approach mom or dad about a senior living community move. They also talk about what qualities sets Chateau Retirement apart. The interview was recorded live at Chateau Bothell Landing in Bothell, Washington.Katie says, "I want families to know that there is that right fit for you out there. There is a community that will resonate with you, and there are people out there, like our team here, that want to help guide you through the process. It's a daunting and overwhelming process. But we're here to meet you where you're at, and learn about your journey, because everyone's journey is different."Ashley adds, "It's okay to get emotional. It's an emotional process. I've been on the other side of it, and I sat in those offices, in those chairs, and I've cried because I didn't know what questions to ask. And it's okay. And we're here for you. We support you and you will find, like Katie said, there is a community for everybody. It's a matter of finding the right one."Suzanne asks, "Tell us about your secret sauce, girls. You two and Debbie are called the dream team. Why is that?"Katie answers, "I think we're just all super-mission focused on why we're in this industry. I think Debbie has mentioned, it's not for that paycheck. I know we are fortunate in this industry to get a second paycheck, when we see the residents that move into our community and how they thrive.Suzanne says, "As a marketing person, you're more like an ambassador. Would you agree with that??"Ashley says, "Yea. We live with these residents, we're here 40 hours a week, spending time with them, and we love that. But it's such a joy when we you start from the very beginning, and then you get to watch them move in, and you get to help them through that process. And then you walk into the dining room with another tour, and they stand up and they want to tell that tour all about how great it is to live here, and all the activities, and the food, and all these things. And you get to see them on an ongoing basis. So "the sale" isn't done just the minute the check is signed. We're there for the very end too, which makes it an emotional journey, but it is so impactful. And we work really well together as a team of three. We complement each other, we trust each other."Chateau Retirement provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. They have been locally owned and family operated for more than 25 years. Chateau Retirement has three communities in Washington's Seattle/Puget Sound area: Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Bothell Landing in Bothell, and Chateau Valley Center in Renton. Visit them online or call 800.960.1944. Visit Chateau's specialist page on Answers for Elders.Mentioned in this episode:Walk to End Alzheimer'sLearn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.Chateau RetirementChateau Retirement

A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love by Erica Baccus will be available on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 at Amazon, Barns &amp; Noble, and other booksellers.As autumn brings reflection on life and legacy, Answers for Elders Radio host Suzanne Newman welcomes Erica Baccus, author of ''A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love.'' This deeply moving memoir shares the story of Erica’s journey with her husband’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and his request to avoid dying in a vegetative state. Married couples facing the realities of dementia and end-of-life choices will find this conversation both raw and profoundly important.In this powerful interview, Erica reveals how she honored her husband’s wish to end his life with dignity through assisted suicide in Switzerland, a decision that U.S. laws made impossible at home. Together, she and Suzanne explore the emotional toll of Alzheimer’s, the complexity of right-to-die legislation, and the courage it takes to make end-of-life decisions as a couple. The Los Angeles Tribune called the book “a cultural act of courage and moral clarity,” and this discussion echoes that sentiment with honesty and compassion.If you or your spouse have ever wondered how to prepare for the possibility of Alzheimer’s, dementia, or difficult end-of-life care decisions, this episode is a must-watch. It encourages couples to have conversations early, before a crisis forces decisions under pressure. With themes of love, courage, and legacy, Erica’s story is not just about death—it’s about how to live fully, honor promises, and face the hardest moments in marriage together.What You’ll Learn:Why early conversations about end-of-life wishes are essential for couplesThe legal challenges of right-to-die laws in the U.S. for Alzheimer’s patientsHow love, legacy, and courage guided Erica’s decisionsA firsthand account of assisted dying in SwitzerlandMore about Erica and the bookVisit Answers for EldersMentioned in this episode:Legacy Estate PlanningLegacy Estate PlanningChateau RetirementChateau Retirement

A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love by Erica Baccus will be available on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 at Amazon, Barns &amp; Noble, and other booksellers.When Alzheimer’s strikes a marriage, how do you honor your spouse’s wishes while facing the hardest decisions of your life? In this emotional episode of Answers for Elders Radio, host Suzanne Newman sits down with author Erica Baccus to discuss writing her new book, A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love.Erica talks about how she approached sharing the heartbreaking yet courageous journey of her husband’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, his decision not to die in a vegetative state, and the steps they took together to ensure his wishes were respected. With honesty, compassion, and courage, this conversation is for married couples, caregivers, and anyone who may someday face the realities of dementia and end-of-life decisions.More about Erica and the bookVisit Answers for EldersMentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau RetirementLegacy Estate PlanningLegacy Estate Planning

A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love by Erica Baccus will be available on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 at Amazon, Barns &amp; Noble, and other booksellers.In this emotional episode of Answers for Elders Radio, host Suzanne Newman speaks with author Erica Baccus about decisions that had to be made on the heartbreaking yet courageous journey of her husband’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, his decision not to die in a vegetative state, and the steps they took together to ensure his wishes were respected. With honesty, compassion, and courage, this conversation is for married couples, caregivers, and anyone who may someday face the realities of dementia and end-of-life decisions.More about Erica and the bookVisit Answers for EldersMentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau RetirementLegacy Estate PlanningLegacy Estate Planning

A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love by Erica Baccus will be available on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 at Amazon, Barns &amp; Noble, and other booksellers.Answers for Elders Radio host Suzanne Newman welcomes Erica Baccus, author of ''A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love.'' In this segment, Suzanne reads a few passages from the book to hear more about them from Erica. Married couples facing the realities of dementia and end-of-life choices will find this conversation both raw and profoundly important. Erica says, "It's important for you to know that I am not advocating for anyone to do what John decided to do. My goal is simply to build awareness about this issue and celebrate our life together." With honesty, compassion, and courage, this conversation is for married couples, caregivers, and anyone who may someday face the realities of dementia and end-of-life decisions.More about Erica and the bookVisit Answers for Elders

Discover Vivatude, a new YouTube show for women over 40 seeking strength, inspiration, and balance while navigating midlife, caregiving, and personal wellness. In this episode of the Answers for Elders Radio Show, host Suzanne Newman welcomes Tracy Cromwell, one of four new Vivatude hosts, who brings her expertise in physical and environmental wellness. Together, they discuss finding your “Inner Spark,” overcoming the challenges of caring for aging parents while managing work and family, and how the Eight Foundational Principles of Wellness can help women thrive in their next chapter. If you’re ready to reclaim your energy, prioritize self-care, and create a vibrant future, this inspiring conversation is for you.Tracy Cromwell knows the struggles associated with food, body image, stress, poor gut health, and self-confidence first-hand. In 2006 Tracy was 180 lbs, diagnosed with pre-diabetes, and living the chaotic life of a yo-yo dieter. Her personal journey to health recovery inspired her to change careers so that she could walk alongside others and support them as they walk their own journeys to health. Tracy is the ideal coach for the confused and frustrated dieter. She is certified with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, a Certified Precision Nutrition Health Coach &amp; ProCoach, a National Academy of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer, and Weight Loss Specialists.Connect with Us💠 Visit Vivatude's Facebook page💠 Watch Vivatude episodes on YouTube💠 Tracy Cromwell YouTube PodcastsInterviews💠 Answers for Elders websiteMentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau RetirementLegacy Estate PlanningLegacy Estate Planning

Suzanne Newman welcomes Tracy Cromwell, one of four new Vivatude hosts, who brings her expertise in physical and environmental wellness. Vivatude is a new YouTube show for women over 40 seeking strength, inspiration, and balance while navigating midlife, caregiving, and personal wellness. In this episode of the Answers for Elders Radio Show, Tracy discusses crafting a space that supports you in whatever state that your body might be. For instance, her daughter created a reading room, her sanctuary where she can disconnect. Little things can make a big difference.Tracy Cromwell knows the struggles associated with food, body image, stress, poor gut health, and self-confidence first-hand. In 2006 Tracy was 180 lbs, diagnosed with pre-diabetes, and living the chaotic life of a yo-yo dieter. Her personal journey to health recovery inspired her to change careers so that she could walk alongside others and support them as they walk their own journeys to health. Tracy is the ideal coach for the confused and frustrated dieter. She is certified with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, a Certified Precision Nutrition Health Coach &amp; ProCoach, a National Academy of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer, and Weight Loss Specialists.Connect with Us💠 Visit Vivatude's Facebook page💠 Watch Vivatude episodes on YouTube💠 Tracy Cromwell YouTube PodcastsInterviews💠 Answers for Elders websiteMentioned in this episode:Legacy Estate PlanningLegacy Estate PlanningChateau RetirementChateau Retirement

Women over 40: ready to boost your strength and reduce stress? In this episode, Tracy Cromwell joins Suzanne Newman on Answers for Elders Radio to share simple tips for physical wellness and environmental wellness that anyone can start today. From hydration and movement breaks to clutter-clearing and creating supportive spaces, Tracy shows how small daily changes can help women in midlife — especially family caregivers — feel more energized, balanced, and supported.Quick takeaways:Drink more water &amp; move every 30 minutesClear clutter and create safer, calmer spacesIf you’re navigating midlife, caregiving, or just need a wellness reset, these strategies will inspire you to thrive with Vivatude.Connect with Us💠 Visit Vivatude's Facebook page💠 Watch Vivatude episodes on YouTube💠 Tracy Cromwell YouTube PodcastsInterviews💠 Answers for Elders website

Women over 40: ready to reduce stress and boost your strength? In this episode, Tracy Cromwell joins Suzanne Newman on Answers for Elders Radio to to talk about some greaet episodes she will be making about physical wellness and environmental wellness with tips that anyone can start today. Topics focus on nutrition, building strength even when you can't get to the gym, organizational tips, and improving your surrounds to create a space that better supports you emotionally. These shows will help women in midlife — especially family caregivers — feel more energized, balanced, and supported.Connect with Us💠 Visit Vivatude's Facebook page💠 Watch Vivatude episodes on YouTube💠 Tracy Cromwell YouTube PodcastsInterviews💠 Answers for Elders website

Discover Vivatude, a groundbreaking movement and media platform designed to help women over 40 reclaim purpose, vitality, and freedom in every stage of life. In this inspiring conversation, hosts Lauren Archer (emotional and spiritual wellness) and Kate Phillips (financial and occupational wellness) join Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to introduce the Vivatude YouTube channel and podcast. Episodes of Vivatude will focus on topics based on the 8 Pillars of Wellbeing — from emotional strength and spiritual clarity to financial freedom and vibrant health. Whether you’re navigating caregiving for an aging parent, seeking balance in relationships, or reinventing yourself in midlife, this segment offers powerful tools, heartfelt stories, and expert insights to help you thrive. Tune in to Vivatude and step into your next chapter with confidence, resilience, and joy.Lauren Archer explores pathways to greater fulfillment, energy, and joy on Vivatude. Get ready to be encouraged, uplifted, and reminded that no matter where you are in life, you can spark your vitality and begin again.Kate Phillips joins the Vivatude team eager to share the “Rich Life Revival”—a journey of discovery that allows us to rewrite the rules when life throws curveballs! The Rich Life isn’t a net worth number or a retirement date. It’s living a life of purpose and prosperity right now, right where you are.Connect with Us💠 Visit Vivatude's Facebook page💠 Watch Vivatude episodes on YouTube💠 Lauren Archer Free 7-Day Energy Elevation LabWebsiteYouTubeCall: 1-425-985-3245💠 Kate Phillips Free Guide: “Break Through to Abundance”YouTubeFacebookMentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau RetirementLegacy Estate PlanningLegacy Estate Planning

Hosts Lauren Archer and Kate Phillips join Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to talk about the new YouTube channel and podcast called Vivatude. What is Vivatude? A Movement. A Mindset. A Media Revolution. The show delves deep into the 8 Pillars of well-being — from emotional strength to financial freedom, from spiritual clarity to vibrant health. The show unites women over 40, expert hosts, and soul-nourishing conversations to help you live with more vitality, purpose, and power.Lauren Archer explores pathways to greater fulfillment, energy, and joy on Vivatude. Lauren says, "There's one thing about emotional wellness that a lot of people don't quite get. In Western culture, we tend to come at everything through the intellect. And I know myself, every time something went off in my life, it was because of emotions, and they take over your mind when you are stressed, when you are angry, when you are frustrated, hurt, whatever is going on. It literally changes your brain. And so how do we approach that? So I have dedicated the last 30 years to working with people on different with different kinds of modalities and to help regulate our nervous system, regulate our emotions, and then come to that clarity through our heart and our soul."Kate Phillips explores purpose and prosperity. Kate says, "The sandwich generation, I know I felt very squeezed from both generations at the time... We're sort of being pinched from all different directions. And I really take a holistic view of money because, just like Lauren was saying, we're so focused on intellect with money, we're so focused on the numbers, we think that money is all about the numbers. But I think there's even a bigger game to play: where does my allegiance go? Because money invites us to look at our priorities. It invites us to get creative, invites us to see life in a different way. It isn't always about the numbers. There are these skills that we're learning. Maybe we're learning how to receive or how to have boundaries or how to ask for help. Those are all the different ways that impact us both emotionally, but definitely financially as well."Connect with Us💠 Visit Vivatude's Facebook page💠 Watch Vivatude episodes on YouTube💠 Lauren Archer Free 7-Day Energy Elevation LabWebsiteYouTubeCall: 1-425-985-3245💠 Kate Phillips Free Guide: “Break Through to Abundance”YouTubeFacebookMentioned in this episode:Chateau RetirementChateau RetirementLegacy Estate PlanningLegacy Estate Planning

What are the two top tips for thriving after 40? In this inspiring episode of Vivatude, hosts Lauren Archer (emotional &amp; spiritual wellness) and Kate Phillips (financial &amp; occupational wellness) join Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to share practical tools for women navigating caregiving, midlife transitions, and personal reinvention.✨ Lauren’s tips: Simple practices to reduce stress, calm your nervous system, and shift into gratitude so you can give from a full cup, not an empty one. ✨ Kate’s tips: How negotiation skills and daily “dream time” can help you create financial resilience, set boundaries, and hold onto purpose even during caregiving.Vivatude is more than a show — it’s a movement for women over 40 seeking emotional strength, financial freedom, spiritual clarity, and vibrant health. If you’re part of the sandwich generation, caring for an aging parent, or simply craving more clarity, confidence, and fulfillment in midlife — this conversation is for you.Lauren Archer explores pathways to greater fulfillment, energy, and joy on Vivatude. Lauren says, "Where attention goes, energy flows. And when we're stressed, it's usually because our mind is jumping ten steps ahead in the future, and we're doing what is natural, and that's to scan for danger and everything that could possibly go wrong. Remember that you can pull your attention out of the future and out of the past and bring it into the present. And we can do that with the simple breath."And then the other thing to do is to find one thing that you can appreciate. One thing that brings gratitude and appreciation. If you can focus on gratitude and appreciation for even 15, 20, 30 seconds that is enough to change the neurochemistry in your body to minimize some of those stress hormones and to help you start feeling good again so that when you give, you can give from a full cup instead of an empty one."Kate Phillips explores purpose and prosperity. Kate says, "One of the skills that you need is negotiation. You'll be negotiating for your time, for your boundaries, asking for what you want, and learning to negotiate financially as well. We found a great, really perfect fit assisted living home for my father, and some negotiation was required to get him into it [financially]. But we made it work. So don't be afraid to negotiate."And my other tip is to find time to dream each day. Even if it's five minutes when you're waking up, five minutes before you're falling asleep, hold that vision. Whatever you're going through now, you might be feeling lost because your role has been has changed in life. So never stop dreaming."Mentioned in this episode:Legacy Estate PlanningLegacy Estate PlanningChateau RetirementChateau Retirement

For the upcoming YouTube channel and podcast Vivatude, new hosts Lauren Archer and Kate Phillips join Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to talk about the types of programming they aim to share. Vivatude is more than a show — it’s a movement for women over 40 seeking emotional strength, financial freedom, spiritual clarity, and vibrant health. If you’re part of the sandwich generation, caring for an aging parent, or simply craving more clarity, confidence, and fulfillment in midlife — this conversation is for you.Lauren Archer explores pathways to greater fulfillment, energy, and joy on Vivatude. Lauren says, "I'm going to be exposing our audience to some really amazing human beings: authors, teachers, speakers. People who have walked through the fire, come out the other side, and who have tips to share on living from the heart on living intentionally, on connecting with our values."There is a wide variety of information out there that I was not privy to most of my life. And some of these tools and techniques and practices have absolutely reshaped how I show up. It's allowed me and many of my clients to live more wholly holistically and to feel good about themselves. So I've got three guests already lined up, people who focus on wholehearted living on practical applications of these universal principles. And I am very excited to share them with our audience. I think it's going to be so much fun."Kate Phillips explores purpose and prosperity. Kate says, "I want to tell you first what you're not going to get on my show. You're not going to get the usual financial planning. The Wall Street plan is all about building the largest nest egg possible, and you've got the 4% rule and you can live off of that. That's plan A. But for our audience, sometimes plan A is gone, and now we're creating plan B, C, D. And so I'm going to be bringing on a lot of financial professionals, but we're going to be talking about some out of the box, creative solutions you maybe don't hear about every day."Because my part of the show is about purpose and prosperity, we're also going to be looking more holistically at our work, lives, money, and purpose. And I'm going to be inviting on some friends — they may not be authors or experts, but they have extraordinary stories about how they have gotten creative with their own lives, women who are rediscovering themselves while they're raising kids and helping out their parents. And so you can expect inspiration as well as some great information."Connect with Us💠 Visit Vivatude's Facebook page💠 Watch Vivatude episodes on YouTube💠 Lauren Archer Free 7-Day Energy Elevation LabWebsiteYouTubeCall: 1-425-985-3245💠 Kate Phillips Free Guide: “Break Through to Abundance”YouTube<a href="https://www.facebook.com/thekatephillips" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

What do a senior care company's values mean to your family, and why do they matter if you're looking for care for your senior loved one? And how do you read between the lines to discover whether they actually uphold those values? People can say whatever they want. They can say 'we work with people so they never have to move again.' But how do we know that that's true? Daphne Davis of Pinnacle Senior Placements joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to talk about how to find out.Daphne says, "So some of the things that I kind of pay attention to are, what is their attrition rate of care stat? How many times has a management team changed? Those are big indicators for me of stability, and I make it my business to know the ownership and know what going on. I do a little research. I figure out things that are going on in the building."I want to see how many people actually greet me as I'm walking through the building when I'm touring. Are they feeling empowered to do their job? Is there a culture of customer service? Is there a joy? Do I feel joy as I'm walking through the hallways, or are people afraid of their job and have tunnel vision and can only do this but can't go either way? Do I see somebody helping someone as I'm going through the building? I pay attention to the whole staff, not just to the person who's touring with me, not just the executive director, but the whole staff: the person who's taking care of the building, the person who's making the food, the person who's serving the food."That's why I go at different times... Find out how the day starts. How crazy is it? What happens at 3:00 in the afternoon? The activities are starting at four. Are people helping people come out of their room? Are they inviting them? Are people building relationships between resident to resident? Is that happening? Are they finding commonality?"Here's a benefit to you, the consumer. Someone like myself goes to networking events, and we get to have all kinds of conversations. They get to have breakfast or lunch or be at an after-hours event, and we get to have regular conversation. Boy, do I get to learn a lot during regular conversation... Just who are these people that are actually choosing to be in an industry of care support, keeping someone's life meaningful? Do they get it? That would be hard for you, the consumer, to figure out, but that's what you get from a good placement advisor."Learn more:Reach Pinnacle at 1-855-734-1500 or visit PinnacleSeniorPlacements.com.Pinnacle Senior Placements at Answers for EldersAbout Daphne DavisHear more podcasts with Daphne Davis

Are senior care organizations and the cottage industry living up to your personal standards of care? Do they stand for something? Daphne Davis of Pinnacle Senior Placements joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to talk about the top three things that people need to understand and ask when seeking senior care for their loved one.1) Who owns the entity, whether it be an individual home of six people, or a large community that has memory care, assisted living, and independent living.2) Is the building owned by the same business, or does the owner contract with a management company?Daphne says, "These are all things the general consumer would have no idea about. Why is it important to you? Because you need stability. If there's a financial piece [of the equation], if there is not a never-ending bucket of money to pay for mom or dad's care, you need to know what happens when they run out of money. How is that handled? If there's a change in ownership, are they going to honor your contract that you started and, you've got three years into paying privately, or now new ownership says, 'Oh, no, we don't convert to Medicaid, Medicare, Medicaid after three years, it's now five years.' And now you're in a world of hurt."Does this company ... have the ability to properly support their staff, to reward wonderful behavior, to be able to keep them educated, to teach them new ways of doing activities of daily living, to talk to somebody who has dementia. Do they pay attention to those things? That's why the ownership is important."3) The actual care itself.Daphne says, "What is a care ratio? There are great algorithms that companies use now based on how many minutes somebody spends time with your loved one and then what your care cost is. And from that minutes, they're constantly adjusting, in theory, how many people are on the floor, how many people are available to actually respond to a call button. How many people are available during the morning hours, when we're getting people dress cleaned up, showered, and to the breakfast table, how many people are there to help?Learn more:Reach Pinnacle at 1-855-734-1500 or visit PinnacleSeniorPlacements.com.Pinnacle Senior Placements at Answers for EldersAbout Daphne DavisHear more podcasts with Daphne Davis