Answers For Elders Radio Network

Elder Law Attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to talk about how Medicaid and other long-term care situations handle retirees who continue to receive income the rest of their lives. Income payments can come from Social Security retirement benefits, disability benefits, pension payments, VA pension payments, annuity payments, or income from rental properties. Learn more at http://www.protectingseniors.com or email Jim at [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne joins executive director Janet Sederquist at Kirkland, Washington’s new MorningStar of Kirkland to talk about this over55 independent living community. The process of elder care can be a daunting, overwhelming task, whether for yourself or a loved one, and their doors are always open to help. Visit MorningStar of Kirkland's website or call 425-979-5626 to learn more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne joins concierge Lolly Bruschere at Kirkland, Washington’s new MorningStar of Kirkland senior living community. As a faith-based organization, MorningStar puts humanity, faith, and ethics first. Everyone is welcome regardless of their personal faith, and residents are treated like family. The lifestyle focuses on quality of life, so you don't really have to leave to enjoy life, though the community is also in a great location near restaurants and a grocery store. There's a theater hall, dining hall, pool, gym, and bistro. Saturdays they have board games, cards, and TED Talks. Visit MorningStar of Kirkland's website or call 425-979-5626 to learn more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne joins director of hospitality Karin Hirsch at Kirkland, Washington’s new MorningStar of Kirkland senior living community. Karin is responsible for resident satisfaction, so she knows the families and residents to serve them best. She coordinates their move-in process, connects them with other residents, makes sure they're happy, gets them involved in activities, and acts as their point of contact for any needs they have. Visit MorningStar of Kirkland's website or call 425-979-5626 to learn more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne joins community relations director Jennifer Graham at Kirkland, Washington’s new MorningStar of Kirkland senior living community. If you're thinking of downsizing, consider this new over-55 independent living community. The vibe here is like having a daily vacation, or being on a cruise ship. The location is excellent, near walking trails, walking distance from Fred Meyer grocery, and there's a dog park a block away. It's a modern take on the Pacific Northwest. There's a workout gym, hair salon, indoor pool, fresh dining, movie theater, and more. They have a primary care physician, dentist and urgent care dispatch help that will come if you don't want to wait in a waiting room because of COVID. Visit MorningStar of Kirkland's website or call 425-979-5626 to learn more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne joins Community Relations & Marketing Director Tanya Hilson to talk about the The Cottages of Renton, a CarePartners Senior Living community just for seniors who have dementia and Alzheimer's. The layout is unique. Each Cottage opens and exits into an expansive but secure outside interior courtyard allowing residents the freedom to safely stroll, exercise and enjoy open spaces among landscaped walkways and surroundings. The memory care community offers three small, cozy cottages, each with a maximum of 20 residents. This design concept allows them to provide senior loved ones with personal attention they deserve in a familiar, intimate, calm and safe environment. Each cottage is self-contained with its own kitchen, dining room, laundry, living room area with fireplace and private resident rooms. Learn more about the Cottages of Renton on their website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne joins direct of nursing Melanie Caoagas for the grand opening weekend at Vineyard Park of Covington in Covington, WA. Melanie oversees the physical health and wellness of the residents: giving them medications, keeping communications with doctors and families, customizing their care plans, and keeping residents informed. The community's assisted living options offer personalized assistance, supportive services and compassionate care in a professionally managed, carefully designed, retirement community setting. It's for seniors who can no longer live on their own, but don’t need 24-hour, complex medical supervision. They have a move-in special: if you move in during August, your deposit is waived. Learn more about Vineyard Park of Covington on their website or call 253-480-7050.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne joins Community Relations Director Keith Roberts at Vineyard Park of Covington in Covington, WA to talk about the details of assisted living. For example, if mom is fine but dad needs help, they have a bonded pairs program where they can come and live together. The care can be provided for dad, mom can live independently, and we'll have an individualized care plan specifically tailored to dad's needs. And if dad ever needed memory care, and it started to not be safe for him to stay here at Vineyard Park, we could literally move him across the parking lot and he can stay with us in memory care as well. She can go visit him whenever she wants, plus she can take him out for activities on this side. There are so many options... if she needed to go to the grocery store, or just needed a little break, she can bring him back. There aren't many options like that in the state of Washington. Learn more about Vineyard Park of Covington on their website or call 253-480-7050.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne joins Community Relations Director Keith Roberts for the grand opening weekend at Vineyard Park of Covington in Covington, WA. Assisted living is a whole new ball game these days because you have so many amenities: you get the theater, you get the activities, you get the best of everything. Being able to come into a community, know you're going to be cared for, have activities, be able to socialize with folks who are on the same journey as you, make new friends, establish new close bonds, and have a good experience and live with dignity for the rest of your life. Learn more about Vineyard Park of Covington on their website or call 253-480-7050.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne joins activities director Chelsea Hansen for the grand opening weekend at Vineyard Park of Covington in Covington, WA. All sorts of things are happening during the grand opening, with various stations set up throughout the building showcasing events, activities, food, and live music with a Hawaiian theme. Vineyard Park has a host of clubs, plus Bingo, karaoke, a weekly social event, movie night, a monthly birthday dinner, men's poker night, and ladies night, with family as well as residents welcome. Learn more about Vineyard Park of Covington on their website or call 253-480-7050.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elena Cuevas, Regional VP of Sales, joins Suzanne to talk about what it's like to live at MorningStar. They talk about independent and assisted living at MorningStar Senior Living's SilverLake community near Everett, Washington. Learn more about MorningStar Senior Living at SilverLake at their website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a way of saying thank you to their veterans, MorningStar Senior Living will be having a special salute for Veterans this July. Elena Cuevas, Regional VP of Sales, joins Suzanne to talk about MorningStar's veterans support. They offer $100/month off rent for veterans and their spouses, and MorningStar also partners with Outerlife Financial to provide additional support through access to Veterans Aid and Attendance programs. When you're with your peers, you adjust better to a senior living community. Learn more about MorningStar Senior Living at SilverLake at their website. Schedule a personalized tour at 503-855-0818.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elena Cuevas, Regional VP of Sales, joins Suzanne to talk about MorningStar Senior Living community in SilverLake near Everett, Washington. In this segment, Elena talks about MorningStar's origins and what makes it special with its faith-based focus on ethics and values. They create enriching environments that residents want to participate with. Learn more about MorningStar Senior Living at their website. Learn more about MorningStar Senior Living at SilverLake at their website. Schedule a personalized tour at 503-855-0818.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MorningStar Senior Living community in SilverLake near Everett, Washington is having a reopening special weekend that celebrates veterans. Elena Cuevas, Regional VP of Sales, returns to introduce the program with Suzanne. July 7-9, from 1-4, they're introducing renovations while appreciating veterans. Their bistro will be themed for West Point, the activity room will be the Colorado Air Force station with some giveaways and collateral, model apartments themed for Hawaii, then downstairs to the theater room which is themed for California's Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton with glitz and Hollywood glamour, then the last station in the patio area is themed for Naval Station Everett with BBQ and Northeastern delicacies. Learn more about MorningStar Senior Living at SilverLake at their website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne to talk more about the Bill of Rights of senior living. After reviewing the first 16 rights, they talk about the final four of the 20 rights. 17. To be free of retaliation after they have exercised their rights provided by law or rule. 18. To have a safe and home-like environment. 19. To be free of discrimination in regards to race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. 20. To receive proper notification if requested to move out of the facility or community, and be required to move out only for reasons stated in the 50-state assisted living facilities law. Learn more about CarePartners at their website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne talks more about the 20 Bill of Rights for senior living residents with Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living, a code of conduct that all senior living communities have to follow by law. Residents have a right to their money, to be involved and have access to what's theirs. If they think their care plan isn't being followed, or a caregiver is being rude, they have a right to speak their mind without fearing repercussions. 12. To manage personal/financial affairs unless legally restricted. 13. To have access to, and participate in, social activities. 14. To be encouraged and assisted in exercising your rights as a citizen. 15. To be free of any written contract or agreement language with the facility or community that purports to waive their rights or the facility's liability for negligence. 16. To voice grievances and suggest changes in policies and services to either staff or outside representatives without fear of retaliation. Learn more about CarePartners at their website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne to talk about the Bill of Rights for senior living residents. The Bill of Rights has 20 items, spelling out basic rights to be yourself, to not restrain you, to feel safe in your home, and to not feel like they are being taken advantage of financially. As a matter of privacy, some communities do not dispense medications in the dining room. In this segment, Suzanne and Kelley discuss items 6-11. 6. To be free from neglect, financial exploitation, and verbal/mental/physical/sexual abuse. 7. To receive services in a manner that protects privacy and dignity. 8. To have prompt access to review all of their records and be given photocopies. Photocopies must be promptly provided but in no case require more than two business days, excluding the weekend and holidays. 9. To have medical and other records kept confidential except as otherwise provided by law. 10. To associate and communicate privately with any individual of choice, to send and receive personal mail unopened, and to have reasonable access to the private use of a telephone. 11. To be free from physical restraints and inappropriate use of psychoactive medications. Learn more about CarePartners at their website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne joins Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living to learn about the 20 Bill of Rights for Senior Residents. One reason people are hesitant to move into assisted living is a fear of losing autonomy — they believe someone's going to tell them when to get up, when to go to bed, when to eat dinner — and who wants to live like that? Every community with senior living type of license has a resident Bill of Rights. In this segment, Suzanne and Kelley discuss the first five rights: To be treated with dignity and respect. To be given informed choices and opportunities to select or refuse service and accept responsibility for the consequences. To participate in their initial care service plan and any revisions or updates at the time changes occur. To receive information about the method for evaluating their service needs and assessing the costs for their services provided. To exercise their individual rights that do not infringe upon others or the rights or safety of others. Learn more about CarePartners at their website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Athira Pharma has a drug trial right now for patients that potentially could treat people with any type of degenerative brain disease. It is being tested now with people who have Alzheimer's disease in mid stages and also with people who have Lewy body disease and Parkinson's disease. The medication speeds up thinking and processing and a long-term effect of increasing connections between brain cells. Suzanne Newman talks with Dr. Michael Mega, Director of the Center for Cognitive Health in Portland, Oregon. The center helps patients maximize their cognitive function as they cope with Alzheimer's disease and disorders of thinking. To participate in a trial like this, they need to have a study partner, somebody who is with them for at least 10 hours a week to observe how they function throughout the day. A close friend, adult child or spouse. Also they must be stable on their medications. Their study partner has noted thinking or memory changes in them suggesting the possibility that they may not be able to live safely on their own. The trial is blinded, so there is a 33% chance that during the six-month trial the would get a placebo, or a low-dose version, or a high-dose version of the medication. After the six-month trial, they can continue and be guaranteed to get the hi-dose version of the medicine. Learn more at the Center for Cognitive Health. Visit shapetrial.com to learn about a trial for Parkinson's Disease Dementia. Visit lift-adtrial.com to learn about the LIFT-AD Alzheimer's Disease trial. You can also learn about trials taking place at the Center for Cognitive Health in Portland. Brought to you courtesy of Athira Pharma.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This segment focuses on medical diagnoses for Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's. The field is rapidly changing. We now have biological markers for Alzheimer's: mis-folded proteins in the brain is the common thread for all degenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Lou Gehrig's disease, and frontotemporal degeneration Pick's Disease. Being able to visualize these in PET scans (Positron Emission Tomography) lets us make a definitive diagnosis 15 years before someone begins having memory problems. Suzanne Newman talks with Dr. Michael Mega, Director of the Center for Cognitive Health in Portland, Oregon. The center helps patients maximize their cognitive function as they cope with Alzheimer's disease and disorders of thinking. Blood tests are also being developed to measure the amount of these proteins in the brain that leak out through cerebral-spinal fluid into the blood, which will identify people on the Alzheimer's trajectory. Many types of treatments are being developed to stop the mis-folding and deposition of plaque in the brain, as well as the mis-folding and deposition of tangles in the brain. The goal is that people would be able to take a blood test during their yearly physical, and if they're identified as being on the trajectory, we could then institute disease-modifying drugs to keep them from getting Alzheimer's if they haven't developed memory problems. Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's look the same in terms of the mid-folded proteins. It's where the proteins are deposited that produces different manifestations of these diseases. If these proteins are deposited on the brain stem or subcortical structures, and produce damage, those manifest as slowness in moving, tremors, as well as gait and balance difficulty. If they proteins are primarily deposited on cortical structures as well as the brain stem, that produces more cognitive issues, resulting in problem-solving difficulties, visual-spacial issues, hallucinations, as well as fluctuations in attention. If they have three of the following — a REM-behavioral sleep disturbance where you act out your dreams during your sleep, visual hallucinations while awake, fluctuations in attention or alertness, and neuroleptic sensitivity — as well as a family member who says the person cannot safely live alone, we would diagnose Lewy body dementia. That's different for Parkinson's patients, where only 50 percent will develop a thinking problem where their family says they no longer safe. Most patients don't have thinking problems in the beginning stages of the disease. So the clinical distinction is stark even though the pathology is due to the same mis-folded protein. Learn more at the Center for Cognitive Health. Visit shapetrial.com to learn about a trial for Parkinson's Disease Dementia. Visit lift-adtrial.com to learn about the LIFT-AD Alzheimer's Disease trial. You can also learn about trials taking place at the Center for Cognitive Health in Portland. Brought to you courtesy of Athira Pharma.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne Newman is joined by Dr. Michael Mega, Director of the Center for Cognitive Health in Portland, Oregon. The center helps patients maximize their cognitive function as they cope with Alzheimer's disease and disorders of thinking. Dr. Mega answers: How do you tell the difference between normal age-related forgetfulness and the beginnings of Alzheimer's? When we go the grocery store and have a shopping list in mind, but can't recall the last few items because we left the written list at home, that's normal. But Alzheimer's disease has a distinct memory issue: a failure to learn new information. If you repeatedly ask the same question, and are unable to learn the answer no matter how many times you hear it, that is abnormal. A quick test that is very sensitive is naming as many animals as you can think of in a minute. Most 75 year olds with at least a high-school education can name 18 different animals or more. It's a very good test of language function and the speed of processing, in terms of searching the lexicon of words in our brain. We also test by giving people a list of random words and them asking them to repeat the list. A normal 85 year old will come up with seven of those words. If it’s less than three, that's abnormal. Even in our 80s or 90s, we should be able to learn new information, even if we can be forgetful or have problems retrieving that information. For dementia to be a factor, we ask a family member whether their function is so impaired that they are no longer safe living by themselves. The failure to be able to live safely independently is the definition of dementia. Dementia is not a disease, it's a functional state. Being able to do our shopping, pay bills, not burn down the house, and keep the shysters at bay is normal. Dementia can come from many sources: vitamin deficiencies, stroke, tumors, head trauma, Alzheimer's disease, or Parkinson's disease. It can be caused by a reversible thyroid problem, or a reversible nutritional deficiency. Learn more at the Center for Cognitive Health. Visit shapetrial.com to learn about a trial for Parkinson's Disease Dementia. Visit lift-adtrial.com to learn about the LIFT-AD Alzheimer's Disease trial. You can also learn about trials taking place at the Center for Cognitive Health in Portland. Brought to you courtesy of Athira Pharma. Brought to you courtesy of Athira Pharma .See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This special live event celebrates the June 18 opening of MorningStar Senior Living in Hillsboro, Oregon. In this segment, Suzanne Newman joins Camillo Hart, Community Relations Assistant, to talk about the opening of this vital, fresh, fun community. Independent living is for people who no longer want to cook, take care of laundry, dishes, and other chores. It's really a lifestyle choice for people over 55, they have so many options, and it's a carefree lifestyle, like a cruise ship on land, with so many opportunities for things to do. It's living authentically, letting you be yourself, while sharing a sense of community. Schedule a tour! For folks outside the Portland, Oregon area, MorningStar has communities from the midwest through the Pacific states. Find a community near you at MorningStar Senior Living.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This special live event celebrates the June 18 opening of MorningStar Senior Living in Hillsboro, Oregon. In this segment, Suzanne Newman joins Emily Hoover, Life Enrichment Director, to talk about the opening. Hoover oversees activities and events at the community, working with residents to create events they love and want to participate in and engage in, and finding the things that people love and help them grow their passions, whether it's something new or something they've done for a really long time. She also helps with private events like book clubs, garden clubs, Bible studies, and hopes to build a community outreach club that works with food banks, local schools to have a volunteer program. It's important for seniors to have social interactions because our brains need successful community stimulation, and it’s important to have that purpose in their life and feel loved while doing it. Schedule a tour! For folks outside the Portland, Oregon area, MorningStar has communities from the midwest through the Pacific states. Find a community near you at MorningStar Senior Living.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This special live event celebrates the June 18 opening of MorningStar Senior Living in Hillsboro, Oregon. In this segment, Suzanne Newman joins Matt Ryan, Executive Director of MorningStar. Ryan says everything they do comes from the heart, that it's everything that they tell you it is. He just did a tour with a family member who lost her husband recently and is going through a lot of change, facing transitions, and needs help figuring that all out, and we went on a tour. “When you have somebody who can give you a hug and tell you that you answered a lot of their questions and helped them sort out things, you know that you're making a difference. That is why I love this job.” Schedule a tour! For folks outside the Portland, Oregon area, MorningStar has communities from the midwest through the Pacific states. Find a community near you at MorningStar Senior Living.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This special live event celebrates the June 18 opening of MorningStar Senior Living in Hillsboro, Oregon. In this segment, Suzanne Newman joins Maurea Kyioi, the Business Office Manager, who hires staff and is in charge of billing. There's a misconception that a senior living environment like MorningStar is too expensive, but it's not really that expensive when you consider all of the amenities. You're not just renting a room, you're renting the whole building. Housekeeping services, laundry, pool, exercise room, restaurant meals, and utilities are all inclusive. Many over-55 people are sitting at home burdened with chores, maintenance, repairs, new roofs, and those things add up. From $3,600/month, MorningStar offers studios, one bedrooms and two bedrooms. Schedule a tour! For folks outside the Portland, Oregon area, MorningStar has communities from the midwest through the Pacific states. Find a community near you at MorningStar Senior Living.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This special live event celebrates the June 18 opening of MorningStar Senior Living in Hillsboro, Oregon. In this segment, Executive Chef/Dining Room Manager Darrin Bristol joins Suzanne Newman. Bristol finds it fulfilling and rewarding to to work in a senior living environment. At the end of the day, he makes the food he loves, but it has more meaning, and makes a difference. At this independent living community, he enjoys being able to create a restaurant-style experience in this "upscale retirement living" atmosphere that is similar to what you'd find in a hotel or country club restaurant. Just like a restaurant, they accommodate common special diets like gluten free or vegetarian. They don't offer a diabetic menu, but they can offer appropriate foods for a diabetic person to make those choices on their own. Specials keep it interesting for everyone, and works in meals that residents love. Schedule a tour! For folks outside the Portland, Oregon area, MorningStar has communities from the midwest through the Pacific states. Find a community near you at MorningStar Senior Living.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This special live event celebrates the June 18 opening of MorningStar Senior Living in Hillsboro, Oregon. In this segment, Maintenance Director Adam Ortega joins Suzanne Newman to talk about opening the brand new retirement community. He also helped open MorningStar’s Kirkland community, and talks about getting creative with helping senior residents make room for special collections, or knocking down walls — whatever helps them feel at home and help feed their passions when transitioning to senior living. People have a perception that they'll lose their freedom and identity in senior living, but that's not the case at MorningStar. Ortega handles everything from hanging TV sets, making extra shelves, adding closet systems, and more. Schedule a tour! For folks outside the Seattle area, MorningStar has communities from the midwest through the Pacific states. Find a community near you at MorningStar Senior Living.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tracey Harvey from Cadence Living in Kent, Washington joins Suzanne Newman to talk about transitions to maintain health and vitality for our senior loved ones. Making a transition now, before a crisis or illness, puts more power and control into their equation. Active aging with key amenities helps seniors warm to the idea. Quality of life, vibrancy, vitality, and fitness are key focuses now, to manage wellness over illness in a holistic way. Stepping through and learning more about living in a community like this helps us stay engaged. Right now area seniors 60+ can join Cadence’s In-Tune Tuesdays fitness class. A move-in special — a founder's club membership — gives residents their birthday month free for two years, pet fees are waived, and the second person occupancy fee is waived the first year. Studio pricing starts at $3,150/month. Cadence at Kent-Meridian is located at 25035 104th Ave SE, Kent, WA 98030. Learn more at (253) 549-9300 or at their website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MorningStar Senior Living looks forward to the opening of a new community for the Greater Portland area in Hillsboro, Washington. Executive Director Matt Ryan and Vice President of Sales Development Jordana Jobanputra join Suzanne to talk about this brand new community. Learn more at the community’s website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foundational principles of wellness, part 7: Eating right, walking, movement, balance, using our core. It's more than lifting weights and exercise. So many seniors living alone don't eat right, can't cook or do the things that contribute to a good quality of life, and resort to leftovers, fast food and TV dinners. MorningStar Senior Living offers a diverse menu like you'd find in a restaurant, accommodated to particular needs of their residents to keep them healthy, and offering a well-balanced diet. Physical, occupational and speech therapy is available to all residents through a third-party, and exercise programs such as yoga, strength and balance, slim and fit, and others, aided by an onsite physical instructor. Recorded at MorningStar Senior Living at Silver Lake in Everett, Washington, Suzanne Newman and Elena Cuevas, Regional VP of Sales, talk about this foundational principles of wellness. Watch this segment on YouTube. Learn more at MorningStar's website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foundational principles of wellness, part 6: Knowledge, learning, growing, critical thinking, and challenging one's beliefs are honored at MorningStar Senior Living as part of intellectual wellness. Everyone is different, and getting together in groups to talk about current events and critical issues in the world in a respectful way engages and uses our minds. MorningStar also hosts book clubs to exercise mental muscles. Recorded at MorningStar Senior Living at Silver Lake in Everett, Washington, Suzanne Newman and Elena Cuevas, Regional VP of Sales, talk about this foundational principles of wellness. Watch this show on YouTube. Learn mo re at MorningStar's website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foundational principles of wellness, part 5: Recorded at MorningStar Senior Living at Silver Lake in Everett, Washington, Suzanne Newman continues her conversation with Elena Cuevas, Regional VP of Sales, about the foundational principles of wellness. Previous talks have focused on emotional wellness, being able to engage with others and feel good about our decisions; environmental wellness, having an aesthetically pleasing, inviting, safe and secure home; social wellness and relationships; and occupational wellness, which helps us derive a sense of purpose in our lives. This segment focuses on spiritual wellness — feeling connected to a higher power and a higher belief system — which brings ourselves closer to our core principles and beliefs, and how MorningStar Living brings out spiritual wellness in its residents. Learn more at MorningStar's website. Watch this segment on YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MorningStarSenior Living's operations specialist John Jaeger joins Suzanne Newman to talk about MorningStar's corporate culture and higher purpose for helping communities through their various outreach programs. Transformation is possible, living a life of service serving seniors and others in their communities helps them as well as providing a sense of satisfaction and contentment. Learn more at the MorningStar Foundation website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Morning Star Foundation manages various outreach programs locally and internationally. Casa Bernabé is an orphanage in Nicaragua, bordering Costa Rica in Central America. The country is the second poorest in the western hemisphere. The orphanage is in a town of 100,000 people with 70% unemployment, so even if an individual wanted a job, there's none to be had in this region of few resources, creating intense poverty. MorningStar built a new home for about 60 kids and helps enrich their lives. MorningStar Senior Living's operations specialist John Jaeger joins Suzanne Newman to talk about this program. Learn more at the Casa Bernabé website and the MorningStar Foundation website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The MorningStar Foundation was founded in 2019 to serve local and international nonprofit organizations. They've partnered with Lifewater International, which is based out of the U.S. and operates in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda and Cambodia to support safe water projects. MorningStar hosts a premier charity golf event fundraiser in Denver called Quench, which last year raised $120,000 for Lifewater's transformative projects. MorningStar Senior Living's operations specialist John Jaeger joins Suzanne Newman to talk about Lifewater and Quench. Learn more at lifewater.org. Visit Quench4life.com to register or sponsor this year's event on August 9.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MorningStar Senior Living's operations specialist John Jaeger joins Suzanne Newman to talk about MorningStar's corporate culture, an organization that strives to make these the best years of their residents, bring them purpose, and to give back to their team members. Going beyond loving their residents is the MorningStar Foundation, established to offer support to philanthropic initiatives around the world and in local neighborhoods. Learn more at the MorningStar Foundation website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne Newman joins Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living to talk about CarePartners' commitment to community, being involving in the chamber of commerce, rotary club, food drives, the Alzheimer's Association, and other outreach. Learn more at their website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne Newman joins Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living to talk about The Arbor in Bremerton, CarePartners' newest community. Learn more at https://www.carepartnersliving.com/arbor-at-bremerton/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne Newman joins Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living to talk about their secret sauce, the evolution of their communities in the Seattle area. Learn more at their website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne Newman joins Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living to talk about to talk about CarePartners' history and core values. Learn more at their website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This segment focuses on misconceptions of clinical trials and who qualifies for the Lewy body dementia clinical trial. Dr. Daniel Burdick, a physician's investigator at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland, Washington, covers these topics with Suzanne Newman. Regarding misconceptions, Dr. Burdick says he's often asked about placebos. He explains that people have an expectation that the the reason to go into a clinical trial is because it will benefit them. And of course they hope it will, but they don't know that it will for sure. When people hear there's a chance of getting a placebo, they think maybe it's not worth participating in the trial. That's a misconception, because the only way we can know if a treatment is safe and effective is by comparing a group of patients who take it with a group of patients who don't. Even if a person participates in a trial and gets the placebo for the double blind period, they are still contributing to something that will make their own future better. Another misconception is their stage of progression. Some people feel they'd go into a clinical trial only if there's no other chance, no other hope. That might have been the case in oncology trials in some other era, but it's not the case in neurology trials, and not for the shape trial and other trials in Parkinson's dementia and Dementia with Lewy Bodies. They're looking for people who meet the eligibility requirements, but who have maybe not advanced that far in the disease, at a moderate stage of the disease. Some trials for Parkinson's are looking for people in early stages of the disease. Regardless of your stage in a disease, you can find a clinical trial to participate in. Some people may wonder if a drug in a drug trial is safe. By the time a drug is being tested in patients with the target disease, which is called a phase-2 trial, it has already gone through initial safety trials with animals and a phase 1 trial in healthy people who have volunteered to make sure the drug is safe. Who is eligible to participate in the shape trial? Candidates are 40-85 years old and have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease dementia or Dementia with Lewy Bodies. There are other criteria. There's no cost to participate, and actually you get a small stipend for each visit. Many patients being assessed at the Evergreen site have a primary care doctor outside of the Evergreen system, and they communicate with the primary care physician, ask for medical records as part of the screening process, and if any medical concerns come up, they communicate very closely with the primary care doctor for followup. Participating in a clinical trial is the best quality of care anybody can have, because of the intense attention, you're much more involved, monitored more closely, you're far more equipped to recognize progression of the illness than an average person would notice. The shape trial studies a specific treatment for Lewy body dementia. It's being studied in Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington, To learn more and sign up for this trial, go to https://shapetrial.com/. If you're in the Seattle area, you can also sign up at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland. Courtesy of Athira Pharma.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This segment focuses on what doctors test in the Lewy body dementia clinical trial, as well as the importance of the study participant's care partner. Dr. Daniel Burdick, a physician's investigator at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland, Washington, walks Suzanne Newman through these aspects of the clinical trial. In the shape trial, doctors are looking at elements of safety and efficacy. Safety issues include studying bloodwork, physical exams, and checking things like changes in mood. The efficacy of the medication is studied by assessing the participant's cognition: the person's ability to remember, recall, fluidly use words, retain their focus and comprehension, and plan and follow events. They'll be asked to recall words and draw figures, and these are compared from the beginning to the end of the trial. Doctors also measure brain waves with EEG to get more objective data than they can from asking questions. By the nature of the disease, many participants in a dementia drug trial are at a point where they're not able to assess some of their own symptoms. One of the more frustrating aspects of these diseases is that the disease itself affects the person's ability to reflect and recognize their symptoms and limitations. One person says they can do this just fine, while it's obvious to someone else that they really can't. It drives the need to develop these treatments, to hopefully slow down the progression and avoid that stage. It is a requirement of the trial — and also important for a patient's care and safety — that they have a care partner who participates with them in the trial, someone who is a regular participant in the patient's care. It could be a spouse, or another family member, a private caregiver, as long as it's someone who's with them most of the time and can observe their changes over time. And they come with them to the medical center visits. The shape trial studies a specific treatment for Lewy body dementia. It's being studied in Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington, To learn more and sign up for this trial, go to https://shapetrial.com/. If you're in the Seattle area, you can also sign up at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland. Courtesy of Athira Pharma.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This segment focuses on what it means to be involved in the Lewy body dementia shape trial. Dr. Daniel Burdick, a physician's investigator at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland, Washington walks Suzanne Newman through the process. Participating in a clinical trial is a donation of time to the global effort to develop better treatments for Parkinson's disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies. It can be involved. This particular trial is a 6-8 month process with 9 or 10 visits to the Kirkland site, one every 4-6 weeks, each one a couple to several hours each, with doctors spending lots of time with them. Doctors ask detailed questions and get to know their experiences in much greater detail, and people have said that it's a positive experience because they feel really connected. A research coordinator becomes their navigator through the trial. The purpose of the trial is to gather a group of people together and compare changes among three different groups, to see whether a high dose medication was more effective than the low dose medication, and whether a low dose medication was more effective than a placebo, a sugar injection. The trial measures safety and efficacy in multiple ways, with questionnaires and even with an EEG that measures brain waves, using a cap with electrodes. You have a 1 in 3 chance of being in one of the groups. Neither you nor your physician knows which group you're in, and neither does your physician coordinator, so it's "blinded," which is essential to analyzing the results. There's an open label extension afterwards, where after the 6-8 month period, you have the option of continuing into a phase of the trial where you know you're getting the actual drug. The shape trial studies a specific treatment for Lewy body dementia. It's being studied in Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington, To learn more and sign up for this trial, go to https://shapetrial.com/. If you're in the Seattle area, you can also sign up at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland. Courtesy of Athira Pharma.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Daniel Burdick from the Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland, Washingon, joins Suzanne Newman to talk about a type of dementia that's rarely discussed at Answers for Elders. Dr. Burdick is a physician's investigator trained in movement and neuro-psychiatric disorders. Lewy body dementia encompasses two separate disorders: Parkinson's dementia and Dementia with Lewy Bodies, which are very similar. They're different from other forms of dementia in that they come with motor symptoms like tremors, slowness, stiffness, and trouble moving, and commonly include hallucinations and delusions. The distinction between the two is the timing of symptoms. In Parkinson's disease dementia, the motor symptoms happen first. In Dementia with Lewy Bodies, the dementia happens first, or within the first year. Being part of a clinical trial is an important way to participate in developing treatments for these diseases. Everyone participating is looking for better treatments. We have treatments that help with symptoms, but we're lacking in treatments to slow progression. One of the best ways to make your future better if you have it, if you want to be proactive with the disease, is to volunteer in a clinical trial. It's important to know if these treatments actually work the way we hope they do, and because we want to make sure we're giving safe, effective treatments for our patients, and that's how to get them approved for use. The shape trial studies a specific treatment for Lewy body dementia. It's being studied in Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington, To learn more and sign up for this trial, go to https://shapetrial.com/. If you're in the Seattle area, you can also sign up at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland. Courtesy of Athira Pharma.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How should money be spent during a senior loved one's move? It's very emotional and sensitive time, with parents and their adult children having different perspectives and agendas. Rebecca Bomann, the CEO of SASH Services, and Suzanne Newman talk about these perspectives. Adult children are worried about the parents' money lasting long enough for their care. They worry that they might have to mortgage their own home in a few years to pay for their Mom's care. Unless parents have set aside a nest egg, it's a concern because the cost of care is so high that proceeds from a home sale might only pay for care for a handful of years. Sometimes they don't want their parent to sell the home because they expect that home to be there for them when their loved one passes away. Meanwhile, what's best for Mom in her situation? She's alone, doesn't see friends, needs social activities, needs medical care, the home has become too much to care for, and the home needs to be sold to fund further care. Sometimes mom intends to bequeath her home to her family, and she places her sense of duty above her own care. Rebecca founded SASH Services (Sell a Senior Home) in 2005 as a blend of real estate, senior care, and social work to provide seniors and their families with home-sale options that are not typical, that are designed around their needs. SASH provides specialized services that lift the selling burden off the senior homeowner and their family while maximizing what can be earned from the home. SASH serves most of western Washington in the Pacific Northwest. If you're out of state, they can steer you to a qualified professional in your area. Find more at the SASH Services website or call 888-400-SASH.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who helps Mom through the sorting, packing and moving process? Everyone is well-meaning. Some Moms expect that their adult children will take four months' leave from work to go through every box, glass, and cross-stitch, remembering back to when family did that for each other. Many of today's adult children can't imagine how they'd be able to take leave from their job, travel out of state, and pay for a flight to sort through decades of household items – they're overwhelmed by that idea, and it causes tension in the relationship. Their perspective is that a professional downsizer could do that, as they're often already handing their loved one's paperwork and finances. Mom is stressed and feels she needs her children by her side during this challenging time and advocate for her – “what else could be more important than helping me through this major life event?” They feel hurt and abandoned when their child isn't the one helping. Some adult children want to help. Rebecca Bomann, the CEO of SASH Services, and Suzanne Newman provide their best advice: Don't do it. Outsource it. Only do it if you want to throw a grenade into family relationships. Let professionals be the bad guy. Let them say you can't take seven lamps to your new apartment, let them say your couch won't fit in the new space, let them bring their strong backs and haul that china cabinet down the stairs. This is an investment in the sale of the house, as an uncluttered house will sell for more money, and you'll recoup the cost. Or the items could be sold to pay for movers and professionals. How do you choose professionals for this process? Mom sees this as an overwhelming, scary, unknown process, so she wants people who will be nice to her, won't judge her for the house's condition, won't scold her for not having kept up on the back yard maintenance, who are going to be kind and compassionate. So she decides based on comfort and familiarity, on how polite they are, even if those people are incompetent and don't know how to pack glassware. The pragmatic adult child — already the caregiver, bookkeeper, and overall emotional supporter — has a system. They ask friends for recommendations, get Google reviews, read websites, check social media, might call and ask prospective clients a list of questions. They take a clinical and systematic approach to finding someone competent and affordable to do the task. Neither perspective is wrong – they're both right. Rebecca recommends that adult children select a number of professionals, all of whom they'd be comfortable with hiring. Let Mom interview them and choose the one she likes best. This gives Mom dignity and agency — lets her own the decision — while helping her choosing from among the best candidates. Rebecca founded SASH Services (Sell a Senior Home) in 2005 as a blend of real estate, senior care, and social work to provide seniors and their families with home-sale options that are not typical, that are designed around their needs. SASH provides specialized services that lift the selling burden off the senior homeowner and their family while maximizing what can be earned from the home. SASH serves most of western Washington in the Pacific Northwest. If you're out of state, they can steer you to a qualified professional in your area. Find more at the SASH Services website or call 888-400-SASH.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adult children and their aging parents have wildly differing perspectives on moving. In this segment, Rebecca Bomann, the CEO of SASH Services, and Suzanne Newman talk about building a bridge to understanding each others' perspectives when it comes to the senior loved one's pet, which befuddles many adult children. Adult children are thinking of a monthly budget, trying to make funds last as long as possible, and are concerned about how that's affected by an animal's daily care, walks, feeding, medication, and vet care. They think that Mom could have moved to one community for $3,500 a month, but she's going to spend $2,000 a month more so she can keep her dog, and they have trouble understanding why. They think: why not go without the dog and spend less money? Mom, however, sees the pet as a family member who gives joy, love, companionship, and comfort. Moving already means giving up everything else — home, neighborhood, rose bushes, vehicles, plants, porch. If moving means parting from my dog or cat, my heart will be broken, so I'm never moving. Don't fight parents on this – it is too important to your senior loved one. Rebecca founded SASH Services (Sell a Senior Home) in 2005 as a blend of real estate, senior care, and social work to provide seniors and their families with home-sale options that are not typical, that are designed around their needs. SASH provides specialized services that lift the selling burden off the senior homeowner and their family while maximizing what can be earned from the home. SASH serves most of western Washington in the Pacific Northwest. If you're out of state, they can steer you to a qualified professional in your area. Find more at the SASH Services website or call 888-400-SASH.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it's time for a senior loved one's downsizing, their adult children may not quite understand or relate to the parents' perspective earned from living 50 years in their home as they see more pragmatic concerns about home repairs and time-consuming chores, and want to schedule moving deadlines based on available free time. Rebecca Bomann, the CEO of SASH Services, and Suzanne Newman talk about how to do right by our parents while helping them transition from a long-standing residence in their home to senior living. Adult children have a much different perspective than their parents, and it often causes painful conflicts. Rebecca encourages each party to use empathy, compassion and understanding, take time to listen to each other's perspectives so families can remain healthy after the stressful transition. Remember the big goal: it's not about who gets the spoon collection. Household items are a good example. Mom's sees every item as having valuable memories, happy times, a reflection of the events in her life, and when she leaves, she wants to bequeath each item to a specific family member who will enthusiastically take it and appreciate it. Adult children see older items that they don't have room for. Use kind words to describe the belongings. These are collections, belongings, household items that are going to a new home, not "stuff" or "junk." Encourage Mom to give items to displaced families, immigrants who have fled their countries, or women who have fled abusive situations — people who could really use Tupperware sets and lamps; donate these items to Habitat for Humanity, for example. Or maybe sell a few items to help buy new ones for the new apartment. Let senior loved ones talk about these items of significance. This is not the time to say that we've heard the story before; we don't have time to hear it again. Let them share — listen to the story — because it's part of letting go. Rebecca founded SASH Services (Sell a Senior Home) founded in 2005 as a blend of real estate, senior care, and social work to provide seniors and their families with home-sale options that are not typical, that are designed around their needs. SASH provides specialized services that lift the selling burden off the senior homeowner and their family while maximizing what can be earned from the home. SASH serves most of western Washington in the Pacific Northwest. If you're out of state, they can steer you to a qualified professional in your area. Find more at the SASH Services website or call 888-400-SASH.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When talking to an elder law attorney, what questions should you ask about spend downs, and what questions you should be prepared to answer? If you have the power of attorney for a senior loved one, how do you start the conversation with the family about their assets, and how do you best navigate this with them? Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne Newman to answer these questions. Many people have false assumptions about Medicaid. The biggest question is how much care is needed. Most people don't think they want assisted living, but also don't realize the family burdens this creates to provide them with 24/7 care forever. This is an unrealistic expectation, because the quantity of care eventually exceeds caregiver ability, and the person receiving care then struggles when they aren't getting the support they need. Start the conversation with, "I want to try to keep you home, but what happens when I don't think I can any more?" That is a difficult question to ask, but it has to be asked. What next? Unless the caregiver is an RN with long-term care experience, explain that you're not an expert with the type of care they may eventually need, so seek out a geriatric care manager. Go to https://www.aginglifecare.org and search for one near you. Tell your family that you need to gain some expertise on what your loved one is likely to need down the road. Make a care plan with professional input. Find out what's expected of you: what kind of care your loved one wants. Make sure you have power of attorney, so medical personnel can talk to you about their care. Your caregiver should have general power of attorney for you — if they're caring for you, empower them to pay for your care. Even if care isn't needed yet, notification of power of attorney should be given to banks and investment houses so legal departments have time to look over the legal documents. Don't put this off until an emergency arises, as you don't have to have to wait for legal reviews in order to get funds. For spend downs, you have to ask about, and know about your loved one's assets. Jim Koewler addresses later-life financial and legal issues. Talk to an elder law attorney to guide you in your state with your situation. Learn more at Answers for Elders or at Jim's website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you take care of your spouse if you need long term care now? What can you do with your money if your spouse is still at home? Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne Newman to answer these questions, by spending down your money to access Medicaid and VA benefits. In the previous two segments, Jim talked about financial eligibility for married couples for VA pension benefits and Medicaid, and some of the ways to make eligibility to "spend down" when you're single or married. Part 3 focuses on some specific things you can do when you're married, you need long term care now, and your spouse is relatively healthy by comparison. What can you do to spend down? Depending on whether it's VA benefits or Medicaid, your assets also include real estate, rental property, stocks, and bonds. IRAs are extremely complicated and in flux. As far as initial eligibility goes, you can keep your house. With Medicaid, one vehicle is exempt, even a mobile home, even if you can't drive. Household goods like a fridge don't count, but if your decorations include a Picasso or bars of gold, those would count. Cash-value annuities and cash-value life insurance policies count toward your assets — If you can sell it to pay for your care, it counts. Listen to hear specific details. If a spouse is still living at home, first make quality-of-life purchases (extra dentures, lift chair, extra eyeglasses) and pre-pay funerals for you and your spouse. Then, if the house needs a new roof or the spouse wants a new living room, or bathroom remodel, as long as the purchase is for equivalent levels of value, it's allowed. An aging-in-place remodel is appropriate even if you're not living in the house, as it can help the spouse stay in the house longer. Depending on your state of residence, you may be able to sell assets for cash and purchase an annuity that pays to the healthy spouse. Specifically you would want a Medicaid-compliant annuity with equal monthly payments for a fixed term. This would count as spousal income, and such income isn't considered part of the assets needed to pay down. Jim Koewler addresses later-life financial and legal issues. Talk to an elder law attorney to guide you in your state with your situation. Learn more at Answers for Elders or at Jim's website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.