Answers For Elders Radio Network

Moving can be a daunting chore at the best of times, but downsizing a senior whose been living in their house for 50 years can be overwhelming. Suzanne is joined by Sean Joseph, CEO of Jordan River International Moving & Storage, a nationwide firm that specializes in working with seniors. Suzanne says, "When I look back in my years of taking care of my mom, probably the most difficult and overwhelming situation was when it came time to moving her. As she declined, we had to move her three times. And the hard part for families is, there's all kinds of questions. Everything is overwhelming. This is someone that took care of me and my mom: Mr, Sean Joseph, the CEO of Jordan River Moving and Storage, specializes in working with seniors. You've been my dear friend for a very long time and I'm so grateful to have you part of the Answers for Elders team, because moving is daunting." How do you start? Sean says, "Like I always say, knowledge and preparation is priceless. It starts always with the in-home estimate. We would like visually to see what we're dealing with. We don't like the information over the phone. Please welcome us to the house so we can take a look... We ask, where are you moving to? If we find out you're moving to a much smaller place, we know it's not all going to fit, or we're gonna build wall of boxes all around your walls around the house, you won't be able to move, and you might fail and you get injured. So we talk about the steps of downsizing, and we are always willing to help them sort. But the planning is the most important, and we establish trust. "A lot of seniors are moving to a very small place, and a lot of times you try to copy their home for them. If they have dementia, you try to make it as comfortable as possible, so they can move around. It's hard for people, but I totally understand that people sometimes can't let things go." Learn more:* Jordan River Moving & Storage: https://answersforelders.com/jordan-river-moving-and-storage/* Jordan River's website: https://jordanrivermoving.com/ Hear more podcasts about:* Senior moving: https://answersforelders.com/tag/senior-moving/* Moving to senior living: https://answersforelders.com/tag/moving-to-senior-living/ Answers for Elders is part of the Senior Resource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Shawn Weiss joins Suzanne to talk about the gut-brain connection and how to balance your functional wellness to achieve optimal health. "Think of it as like a two-way highway. What one does affects the other. The easiest way to illustrate that is, for instance, when you get nervous. You feel those butterflies in your stomach, right? There's a direct connection in the neurotransmitters, the chemicals that the brain sends for situations like that, fight or flight responses." "Inflammation is one of the number one things that we deal with. and when I'm coaching clients, we are talking about inflammation. There's 22 different types. You have acute inflammation. Acute is, hey, I just fell, hurt my knee, it got swollen or I have the flu, and the body's response is to send those infiltrates into your system which causes inflammation. But I'm talking about chronic inflammation, inflammation from the processed foods that we eat, that will cause inflammation and leaky gut, and that causes a whole host of systems. That's why we can't eat what we used to eat. Our food greatly affects the inflammatory responses in our body." Learn more:Shawn Weiss' website: https://shawn-michele.com/Shawn Weiss: https://answersforelders.com/shawn-weiss/Six Pillars of Health: https://www.stress.org/live-better-by-building-on-the-six-pillars-of-health Hear more podcasts with Shawn Weiss: https://answersforelders.com/tag/shawn-weiss/ Answers for Elders is part of the Senior Resource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Shawn Weiss joins Suzanne to talk about changes in our bodies that happen once we reach 50 years of age, and what strategies to use to maintain optimal health. "One of the first things when you get over 50 that you're losing is muscle mass. And that is so important. Increase your protein, make sure your strength training. A lot of people feel conflicted about it. Should they be lifting weights? Absolutely. You should be doing resistance training. We're also losing bone density, and as we age, that could increase your risk for fractures. But you also see other things. Our bladder changes, it gets less elastic. The muscles in your pelvic floor start to weaken. There's two different types of incontinence, but you might see either urge incontinence or stress incontinence. The list goes on... our large intestines, hormonal changes, hydration can cause things like constipation so things are not metabolized. "Stress reduction plays such a vital role. And if you look at even when I was in my 20s and 30s and society in general, our world is different. It is just a nonstop world. There's just a lot of chaos. People don't know how to navigate it. They're having incredibly high stress levels, which will start throwing out cortisol. It's gonna affect your sleep. It's going to affect your overall health. It creates anxiety. It's a vicious cycle, and that's why it's such an important pillar of health that we address. "Any time you exercise, you're going to have an increase in blood flow everywhere. Many studies out there show if you're starting to have cognitive decline, daily exercise of any kind — just increasing activity levels — not only improves digestion, it improves sleep, it reduces behavioral problems, it reduces falls and balance issues. It's just so so beneficial." Learn more:Shawn Weiss' website: https://shawn-michele.com/Shawn Weiss: https://answersforelders.com/shawn-weiss/Six Pillars of Health: https://www.stress.org/live-better-by-building-on-the-six-pillars-of-health Hear more podcasts with Shawn Weiss: https://answersforelders.com/tag/shawn-weiss/ Answers for Elders is part of the Senior Resource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Shawn Weiss joins Suzanne to talk about taking charge of the six pillars of health — nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress, substance use, and personal connections — so that we can achieve optimal health in our later years. Shawn says, "Health is not a one-size-fits-all for everybody, especially in the age where we're in now, with social media, where we're getting bombarded on a daily basis with contradictory advice. I deal with the six main pillars of health. And that for me is so easy to organize, because each one affects the other. I have everything in balance, which is the key. You have to be able to hit all of those pillars of health. One little off-balance system will exponentially affect the rest. "I start off with exercise — of course, near and dear to my heart as a physical therapist, but confusion over 50 is OK. What type of exercise? How much do I do? How long do I exercise? Am I allowed to get my heart rate up high enough? So that's one of the main ones, and then we look at nutrition how to fuel your body properly. Gut health is the third one. Gut health and inflammation, inflammatory conditions, inflammatory foods go hand in hand. Then we look at stress, and stress is huge. You cannot remove all the stresses, and all the daily stressors that we have, but how do we learn to manage our daily stress? Sleep, that's the fifth one. And the last one is emotional health. And that's been huge, especially since COVID. So we include all of those when I talk with clients and coach them." Shawn’s proactive approach to physical therapy focuses on wellness and prevention strategies for all of her clients, with an emphasis on fall management programs for the elderly in the assisted living setting. She currently serves on the Ohio Fall Coalition and Ohio Injury Prevention Partnership. She is also is an Instructor for Summit Professional Education where teaches nationwide for Continuing Education courses on Home Health Policy and Rehabilitation and has been a contributing member of Answers for Elders for more than a decade. Learn more:Shawn Weiss' website: https://shawn-michele.com/Shawn Weiss: https://answersforelders.com/shawn-weiss/Six Pillars of Health: https://www.stress.org/live-better-by-building-on-the-six-pillars-of-health Hear more podcasts with Shawn Weiss: https://answersforelders.com/tag/shawn-weiss/ Answers for Elders is part of the Senior Resource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most people want their family to remember them, they want to pass on something. What does it mean to leave a lasting legacy? What's a mistake, and what are some pointers? Steve Waltar with Legacy Estate Planning joins Suzanne to talk about matters of Inheritance and philanthropy with your estate. What's Steve's definition of legacy? "It's probably different for everyone. I will say I came to this by having so many people that died without a plan, or it totally blew up, and their legacy was terrible. That's not what people want. People want to be able to pass on their assets and their values to their kids, their grandkids, sometimes it's the charities. And so I'd say a good lasting legacy is making sure the estate plan works, providing some protections for the next generation. So it doesn't implode if one of the kids goes through a divorce. And then passing on your values. So we have a legacy worksheet in each of our estate plans, where you could talk about the most important lessons you'll learn in life. And you can pass on that along with the money. That's accomplishing a lot if you can pass on not only money but values." Learn more: Legacy Estate Planning: https://www.waltar.com/Steve Waltar: https://www.waltar.com/our-firm/about-our-firm/Books: https://www.waltar.com/resources/books-published-by/Webinars and seminars: https://www.waltar.com/seminars/ Hear more podcasts with Steve Waltar at Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/tag/stephen-waltar/ Answers for Elders is part of the Senior Resource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Waltar with Legacy Estate Planning joins Suzanne to talk about whether you might choose to have a will or a trust for your estate, and why. Steve says, "Everyone needs a plan, right? So it's not a will or trust, it's a plan. A will doesn't work till you die, so you need powers of attorney, healthcare, et cetera. And then others would like to do a trust, and there's really common reasons to do a trust. You've got real property in more than one state. Our state's doubled the tax exempt amount. But I was meeting with a couple once – I might as well tell a story embarrassing about me. This was a retired pastor and I was ready to sign the fee agreement to do their will plan. And the wife says, 'how come Suzie Ormond says some people want to live in trust?' And I said, well, some people are worried about privacy, and they want to avoid probate. They said, 'we want to avoid probate. We want things private.' I said, some people want stronger incapacity planning. 'Well, we want that.' And after four or five things in a row. I said, let me draft you guys a living trust. And the financial advisor was like, 'you sold them a trust.' And I said, they wanted a trust. There's lots of advantages of a trust. Our job as a state planners is to ask a bunch of questions and design a plan that fits. "If someone's single, they have adult children, and they're not at all worried about giving outright to the kids, a will plan is just fine. In Washington sate, you can even do a transfer on death deed. So it's almost like a brokerage account where it goes directly to a beneficiary without court. There are times when a will is the only way to plan. In Washington, if you're married and you want to protect assets from the state of Washington for like a Medicaid lien and Medicaid planning. "But for a lot of people, here's my little [diagram], it's maybe hard to see, but this is Homer and Marge Simpson. While you're alive, you could put assets in the trust and it breaks into the above-ground and below-ground, what that does is it doubles your tax free amount. It gives you creditor protection, it gives you remarriage protection. I don't care if my wife remarries if I die first, but I don't want it to go to a new spouse, right? I want to be for her and ultimately our children. So a trust is just bigger, better or stronger. It's not for everyone. "We don't determine what plan people have. We ask questions and reveal and then they kind of self select." Learn more: Legacy Estate Planning: https://www.waltar.com/Steve Waltar: https://www.waltar.com/our-firm/about-our-firm/Books: https://www.waltar.com/resources/books-published-by/Webinars and seminars: https://www.waltar.com/seminars/ Hear more podcasts with Steve Waltar at Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/tag/stephen-waltar/ Answers for Elders is part of the Senior Resource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Waltar with Legacy Estate Planning joins Suzanne to talk about the particulars of choosing beneficiaries when planning for your estate. Why should people create an estate plan? Steve explains, "I was in the hospital with someone with a bad cancer diagnosis yesterday. But all of us will eventually die. And if we own a home, or if we have children, the need to plan is high because without it it may go to the wrong people, or you may not protect your children. Or if you're married, your spouse could remarry. I mean, [your estate] can implode, sometimes it'll go to the right people, but not the right way..." When it comes to choosing beneficiaries, he says, "Often we will list our spouse, like on an IRA or a 401(k). But then we don't think about the kids. And it used to be, you could stretch IRAs over the life of a grandchild, and that stopped with the Secure Act. So there's lots of changes, and people often don't think of the backup beneficiaries, or they've really helped one kid through college and loans, and the other kid they haven't. So do they want to kind of equalize things? That won't happen if you don't have your own planning in place... The first part is taking care of you, all your life. Even spouses can't legally sign for one another, and they can't make medical choices if someone's in the hospital. So, maintaining control, protecting you while you're alive, that's a big deal. And of course, then the right people, or organizations, or grandchildren, or whatever, when you're gone, that's another big part of it." If someone's never had an estate plan before, what do you think about? "Often, people ask, do I need a will or a trust? I'm like, 'I don't know yet.' I need to know what people own. I need to know if they're single or married, I need to know if they have minor children, if they have adult children, if they have any special needs children. And no two plans are exactly the same. So it's a process. There's a chance you could throw a dart and hit the right thing. What an attorney does is, they want to know the context, and once they know that, then we can say, ahh, this is a simple beneficiary designation, but this one better go to a will, or a trust, because you want to protect the beneficiary." How often should you review your estate plan? Steve says, "We have a rule of thumb: every five years. Our clients get to come in and kick the tires, and just see now if your agent has gone bad, the kids are going through a divorce... there may be reasons that you need to tell us before that. But I think five years is a good rule of thumb. Two years ago, they changed all the rules on health care powers of attorney [in the state of Washington]. I had someone in this week, they did wills 25 years ago. [Back then] they were naming guardians for their children. They have grandchildren now. So the laws [change], the estates are different. Sometimes an estate was a million and now it's $3 million. Then you have to have estate tax protection, at least in our state of Washington. For federal laws, for wealthy clients, it's the federal estate tax exemption, it's going to cut in half in two years. The Hippa rule was nationwide and that blew up thousands, if not millions, of estate plans because you can't give authorized consent when you're in a coma, you have to give authorized consent when you have capacity." Learn more: Legacy Estate Planning: https://www.waltar.com/Steve Waltar: https://www.waltar.com/our-firm/about-our-firm/Books: https://www.waltar.com/resources/books-published-by/Webinars and seminars: https://www.waltar.com/seminars/ Hear <a...

Finance expert David Phillips joins Suzanne to talk about how to anticipate the future by putting a finance plan in place to take advantage of factors that we can control, and account for risks such as longevity, running out of money, potential inflation, taxes, and the needs of long-term care. David says, "Preparing for the unknown is probably the most delicate thing that we can do. There are some factors that we can actually control, we can actually prepare for it. For example, we know that the longer we live there's gonna be a market correction. The longer we live, things are going to change, and it's called the longevity risk. So the market will change somewhere along the line. So we have to prepare for that. So how do we do that? We pull some of our money off of the risks table and we put it into guaranteed sources of income or guaranteed investments. Another longevity risk is we live too long, we run out of money. So we want to set up plans where we can have guaranteed income. "Our Social Security is getting taxed. I think everybody knows that they're surprised when it's taxed, because we pay taxes all along the way to get the Social Security, but it gets taxed as well. And then the more money we make, we have to pay Medicare, and the Medicare cost increases the more we make. And health care costs are going through the roof, and healthcare supplemental policies, and all kinds of things like that. "We have no idea what long-term care is going to do to us. Is it going to be a little thing? Is it going to be a big thing? Is it going to be dementia? Is it going to be Alzheimer's? The longer we live, the risk increases that this is going to happen to us. Probably the number one thing that we get when people call us is,' oh my God, my spouse has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. How am I going to pay for my husband's care, and I'm gonna lose my house, I'm gonna lose everything." And there are ways in which you can plan now. You can't do the planning while you're in a nursing home, so we have to do the prior planning now. Prior planning prevents poor performance. And so let's plan now." To get his books, call David's office at 888-892-1102, or visit his Estate Planning Specialists website at https://epmez.com/. Subscribe to the monthly Generational Wealth Strategies newsletter at https://www.generationalwealthnewsletter.com/. Answers for Elders listeners get a discount. Learn more:* Generational Wealth Strategies newsletter: https://www.generationalwealthnewsletter.com/* David T. Phillips: https://epmez.com/our-team* Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/welcome-to-answers-for-elders/ Answers for Elders is part of the Senior Resource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance expert David Phillips joins Suzanne to talk about how a family owning a million-dollar home can downsize most effectively, maximizing their money for the future. He recommends investing some of the proceeds from the sale into an annuity with guaranteed income rider. “Any time we sell something that we have gains, we're going to have to pay taxes, and right now, the capital gains tax rate is the lowest it's been in about 50 years. Depending on what state we live in. The most common idea right now is to take the money after the tax and secure guaranteed income for you for the rest of your life. Let's say we downsize and we end up with $100,000. A 65 year old could put in $100,000 and jointly create $6,000 a month in income for the rest of both lives. If we're just by ourselves, a male $7,300 a female $7,000 a month. It's called a fixed indexed annuity with guaranteed income. Call Todd here at my office and say, hey, I want to look at guaranteed income for the rest of my life, and then he'll show you the different options that are available. Some Baby Boomers are downsizing to a continuing care retirement community, or CCRC. Suzanne asked, "Let's say you get a million dollars for your house and you end up having an entrance fee to a CCRC of 500,000. How does that work?" David explains, "You're just basically converting your cash into a place where you don't have to have income to satisfy expenses, because you're done. You still have your $400,000 that you can live off of plus your social security, which can actually pay your community fee, which is not much when you live in a CCRC." "One of the things you can do to prepare is get a long term care policy right now, while you can. You have to look at all the options and that's one of the options. Take some of the money and turn it into – we call it leverage care solutions, or asset-based care plans. I wrote a book about that called "Leveraged Care Solutions," and they can get that through our website." David mentions the newly-updated fourth edition of his book, "The Ten Most Common Estate Planning Mistakes And How to Avoid Them." To get his books, call David's office at 888-892-1102, or visit his Estate Planning Specialists website at https://epmez.com/. Subscribe to the monthly Generational Wealth Strategies newsletter at https://www.generationalwealthnewsletter.com/. Answers for Elders listeners get a discount. Subscribe to the monthly Generational Wealth Strategies newsletter at https://www.generationalwealthnewsletter.com/. Answers for Elders listeners get a discount. Call David's office at 888-892-1102, or visit his Estate Planning Specialists website at https://epmez.com/. Learn more:* Generational Wealth Strategies newsletter: https://www.generationalwealthnewsletter.com/* David T. Phillips: https://epmez.com/our-team* Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/welcome-to-answers-for-elders/ Answers for Elders is part of the Senior Resource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance expert David Phillips joins Suzanne to talk about finances in the face of a new downsizing trend among Baby Boomers. It's estimated that 54% of Baby Boomers in the U.S. will downsize and simplify their finances between 2024 and 2026. By 2030, Boomers will make up 35-40% of the country's population. David talks about how his firm helps people make choices during this process. David says, "The biggest problem is what's called the longevity issues. How long are we gonna live? We don't know that, we don't have a crystal ball. So we have to kind of play both sides of the coin. We don't want to leave our family destitute. We don't want to live out our days in a long-term care facility, we'd rather stay at home if we could. And we also want to make sure that if we pass early that our spouse is taken care of, and our family. A lot of folks really want to not only leave a legacy, a personal legacy and memories and whatnot, but we also want to leave a financial legacy. I do, and I have 12 grandkids, and I wanna make sure that they're adequately taken care of." He adds, "We ought to make sure that if we do leave stuff behind, that we don't leave confusion behind. And at a time when we want to create love and harmony with our family, if we don't plan, we leave confusion, and create the worst emotions in the human family." To get his books, call David's office at 888-892-1102, or visit his Estate Planning Specialists website at https://epmez.com/. Subscribe to the monthly Generational Wealth Strategies newsletter at https://www.generationalwealthnewsletter.com/. Answers for Elders listeners get a discount. Call David's office at 888-892-1102, or visit his Estate Planning Specialists website at https://epmez.com/. Learn more:* Generational Wealth Strategies newsletter: https://www.generationalwealthnewsletter.com/* David T. Phillips: https://epmez.com/our-team* Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/welcome-to-answers-for-elders/ Answers for Elders is part of the Senior Resource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christian Care Ministry President and CEO Brandon Harvath joins Suzanne to describe the four foundational principles of the Medicare resource Medi-Share 65+. Brandon says, "Our vision is all about transforming society through the Biblical model of sharing. There are probably four main things I'd highlight. The first is just giving market solutions for people to align their values with their spending. And it's true. We're in a culture war today. Christian consumers, we've got a responsibility to consider how those dollars we spend are used to further Kingdom causes. "The second one I'd give you is really just around church and culture. And it's about today's church, really being intentional about having a practical and a significant impact on the culture war rather than just being angry boycotters. That's not what we're called to do. We really should be thinking deeply about how we influence and impact culture. Like our vision statement says, transforming society isn't an easy thing to do. But we believe that Biblical model of love, that Biblical model of sharing that we're taught about in the gospel is the way to go. "The third one I'd share with you is the intersection of faith and sharing. And this one goes really deep... Medical bills are just an example, a pressure, a weight, something that crushes us. And today it's a need, right? It it is a moment of suffering that we are here to help with. But beyond that, there are so many other areas of life where faith and sharing can and should intersect... I don't know what it is that stops us from doing this, but how unwilling we are at times just to raise our hand and say we have a need, and by the way, on the other side, I can help. "The fourth point, you know, I would just make for you today. This is about the early church's model of sharing that we see highlighted in the scripture. Knowing that our God owns a cattle on 1,000 hills, there isn't a resource issue in the church as I've shared... "That model is what we follow.... We're here to connect those needs with resources, and we believe that those resources exist, and when people come together in communities like this, in a very powerful way, I think those needs get met, unlike you may have ever seen in or before." Learn more:* Brandon Harvath: https://www.medishare.com/blog/author/brandon-harvath* Medi-Share 65+: https://www.medishare.com/programs/65* Medi-Share 65+ Guidelines: https://www.medishare.com/sixty-five-guidelines* Christian Care Ministry: https://mychristiancare.org/ Answers for Elders is part of the Senior Resource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Medi-Share President and CEO Brandon Harvath joins Suzanne to share success stories. Brandon says, "I can't go beyond my family without finding stories. My wife spent a week in the hospital just over a year ago, an unexpected medical situation. It was one of the most petrifying moments of my life. We have seven children, 18 down to 3 years old, five boys and two girls. And the last thing you want to hear as a family at any point in time is that mom is in the hospital, right? Thankfully, doctors took good care of her. She came out, and was fine. Now everything is good, but we got hit with a $650,000 medical bill. Can anybody pay that? ... But here's the deal. The Medi-Share community came around my family and they negotiated that bill. They handled that situation, got it down to just over $200,000, by the way, which blows my mind to begin with, and took care of that. Just a few weeks later, prayers from members of the community started coming in for my wife, expressing how they were praying for her, for her healing, for her health. So it's not just the uniqueness of, hey, how are we gonna pay for that bill? It's the spiritual health, it's the physical health, it's the mental health. It's the entire gamut that this community really is about one another." Learn more:* Brandon Harvath: https://www.medishare.com/blog/author/brandon-harvath* Medi-Share 65+: https://www.medishare.com/programs/65* Medi-Share 65+ Guidelines: https://www.medishare.com/sixty-five-guidelines* Christian Care Ministry: https://mychristiancare.org/ Answers for Elders is part of the Senior Resource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Answers for Elders starts 2024 to show how different opinions and concepts can come together to create something better. This hour, Suzanne is joined by Medi-Share President and CEO Brandon Harvath. Medi-Share 65+ is an option for Seniors 65 and older with Medicare Parts A &amp; B. Medi-Share 65+ will share in any medical expenses that are covered by Medicare. Brandon says, "There are other organizations that have connected into models like this in the recent decade, Go Fund Me or organizations like that. Way before that ever happened, we had a group of people here who saw a need of families who were being crushed under the weight of medical bills, going bankrupt over medical bills. And we saw that need 30 years ago. And we designed a program that said if we all contribute a share amount every single month and bring those bills in to the storehouse, if you will, we can meet those needs. "You're not just signing up for membership in that program, we're actually connecting you to a bank account. That's yours. As that money comes in, we connect all of those bank accounts together and connect those needs as they come in with the resources. It's an amazing method, a lot of technology, a lot of patents over the years to build for our members... "We try to make it as simple as possible. You can expect very similar tools and ways that you found insurance over the years to be easy. The ID card, and statements every month in the mail that [say] what your share amounts are, all of those basic things are there. It's easy to use. You can go to any doctor you want on 65+. If things are eligible in, Medicare A and B, it's eligible in our 65+ program. So it's pretty simple to understand, and all you're gonna do is take that EOB that you get after a bill goes to Medicare, and what's left over there, you send it in, and we're gonna cover the rest right now. We don't cover anything, the community literally funds those bills." Learn more:* Brandon Harvath: https://www.medishare.com/blog/author/brandon-harvath* Medi-Share 65+: https://www.medishare.com/programs/65* Medi-Share 65+ Guidelines: https://www.medishare.com/sixty-five-guidelines* Christian Care Ministry: https://mychristiancare.org/ Answers for Elders is part of the Senior Resource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first Answers for Elders episodes of 2024 focus on Medi-Share 65+. This hour, Suzanne is joined by Christian Care Ministry President and CEO Brandon Harvath. Christian Care Ministry is the non-profit association of churches that manages Medi-Share. Navigating healthcare is a challenge for seniors, who are sometimes faced with overwhelming situating and confusing options. Christian Care Ministry is celebrating its 30th anniversary striving to connect people with resources. Medi-Share 65+ is an option for Seniors 65 and older with Medicare Parts A &amp; B. Medi-Share 65+ will share in any medical expenses that are covered by Medicare. With one low monthly cost, enjoy peace of mind from a supplemental alternative that supports your medical care and budget. Learn more:* Brandon Harvath: https://www.medishare.com/blog/author/brandon-harvath* Medi-Share 65+: https://www.medishare.com/programs/65* Medi-Share 65+ Guidelines: https://www.medishare.com/sixty-five-guidelines* Christian Care Ministry: https://mychristiancare.org/ Answers for Elders is part of the Senior Resource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooke Kasten and Suzanne continue their conversation about the Skyline Seattle senior living community in the heart of downtown Seattle, Washington. Brooke Kasten is the community's Associate Executive Director. Skyline offers comprehensive care options including orthopedic and stroke rehabilitation, assisted living and memory support. From resort-quality amenities to jaw-dropping rooftop deck views to well-appointed apartment homes and gourmet dining venues, every element of the Seattle senior living community comes together to create an unforgettable retirement lifestyle. Skyline is located at 725 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. Arrange a complimentary tour at (206) 207-0036. Learn more:* Skyline: https://skylineseattle.org/* More senior living podcasts: https://answersforelders.com/category/discover-senior-living/ Answers for Elders is part of the Senior Resource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooke Kasten and Suzanne talk about the Skyline Seattle senior living community in the heart of downtown Seattle, Washington. Brooke Kasten is the community's Associate Executive Director. Skyline offers comprehensive care options including orthopedic and stroke rehabilitation, assisted living and memory support. From resort-quality amenities to jaw-dropping rooftop deck views to well-appointed apartment homes and gourmet dining venues, every element of the Seattle senior living community comes together to create an unforgettable retirement lifestyle. Skyline is located at 725 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. Arrange a complimentary tour at (206) 207-0036. Learn more:* Skyline: https://skylineseattle.org/* More senior living podcasts: https://answersforelders.com/category/discover-senior-living/ Answers for Elders is part of the Senior Resource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the heart of downtown Seattle, Washington, Skyline's Associate Executive Director Brooke Kasten and Suzanne talk about the Skyline senior living community. Skyline offers comprehensive care options including orthopedic and stroke rehabilitation, assisted living and memory support. From resort-quality amenities to jaw-dropping rooftop deck views to well-appointed apartment homes and gourmet dining venues, every element of the Seattle senior living community comes together to create an unforgettable retirement lifestyle. Skyline is located at 725 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. Arrange a complimentary tour at (206) 207-0036. Learn more:* Skyline: https://skylineseattle.org/* More senior living podcasts: https://answersforelders.com/category/discover-senior-living/ Answers for Elders is part of the Senior Resource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alzheimer's Speaks host Lori La Bey joins Suzanne to talk about her new series of gift-giving tips videos, which will be posted this month at the Senior Resource YouTube site. The first four videos:* Print items – Mirador magazine, Nana's Books, Reminisce Books* Free gifts – phone calls, cards, driving, * Technology for the total care team – GrandPad, RecallCue, Map Habit* A little money, a little time – Make an extra meal, work on a hobby together, go out for coffee or a meal Find the videos here: https://www.youtube.com/@SeniorResource The products Lori mentions can be found on Dementia Map, a global resource directory at DementiaMap.com. Learn more:* Alzheimer's Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alzheimer's Speaks host Lori La Bey joins Suzanne to talk about caregiver happiness over the holidays. This segment focuses on ways we can give a little happiness to those who are caring for a loved one. Lori says, "There's a lot of different stories out there from so many different angles, from people sending flowers or cards on a regular basis. Instead of getting a bill in the mail, you get something sweet and funny. That just kind of lifts you up. There are some actual caregiver cards. I don't know who makes them, but I bought some at one time and I've sent them all out, but they were just kind of hilarious or real heartwarming cards just about what you're doing, and how you appreciate that, which I thought was really, really special. "I also love spa days and things like that with friends, or going out for coffee. Just a specific thing that does not cost much. A lot of times we're making a date to just get together and be able to reminisce and be able to breathe. It's about getting away from the chores, and feeling exhausted. I don't think it always has to be big and fancy and flashy. I think bringing inner generations into it, too, can just be a blast. When families get together and you get everyone doing things from a different angle, yet you're all there, and the kids are recording things. So you have those memories to be able to last, I think is important. And telling jokes... Sometimes it's old-time silly jokes or sometimes it's the little kids coming forward with theirs. There's just so much that people can do. It could be somebody coming over. Maybe one set of friends is gonna take them out and the other one's gonna clean the house as a surprise when they come back." Learn more:* Alzheimer's Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alzheimer's Speaks host Lori La Bey joins Suzanne to share stories about how to find caregiver happiness over the holidays. Suzanne shared a story. "When I met my husband, I'd been caring for my mom. And one of the things that I hadn't realized until I met him was that I'd forgotten how to laugh. I didn't have a lot of joy or laughter or lightness in my life. I had nothing but this heavy, heavy burden, and you just learn to live with it. And so, when a family reached out to me before the holidays, I told them, 'Whether they're a family member or a close friend of a caregiver, there's one significant thing you can do for that person. And that is to be primarily responsible for bringing joy into their life. Think about how you could do some things to bring joy.' There was three girls in the family. One daughter was taking care of mom and dad. The other two sisters lived about an hour away in different directions. What they ended up doing was, they called themselves the Joy Patrol. "I remembering vaguely what they did, but this is really cool. They planned an event for the caregiver daughter. Once a month, one of them would take their place taking care of mom and dad. The other one would take them out someplace fun, someplace that they love to go. And they alternated every other month, and that was the gift for that year. It was the gift of the Joy Patrol. What happened was that they got an opportunity to get closer as a family. This was amazing. The other two daughters had the experience every other month being there with mom and dad all day. They realized what the caregiving sister goes through. They had a higher appreciation for that type of a situation. And the family caregiver daughter had something to look forward to. It brought this family closer, and it lifted the resentment that sometimes caregivers feel." Lori adds, "When you said, I forgot how to laugh – that is serious. That is something that happens to so many people. We push laughter to the side, and we don't realize that our body needs that. It changes our physiology, and our mindset, and it gives us something to giggle about later on. You also mentioned about how families sometimes can be distant, or almost volatile, and being together and being able to appreciate one another and just sometimes getting to know one another again, to be able to appreciate what's really going on in their life, and to be able to have that commonality of joy is just something... I love that they stretched it over the year, because a lot of times people will step up for the holidays, and then [disappear]." Learn more:* Alzheimer's Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alzheimer's Speaks host Lori La Bey joins Suzanne to talk about caregiver happiness over the holidays. Suzanne says, "There are so many things that a family caregiver goes through. Think about the world out there, think about how you are just seeing people coming and going, and yet there is that individual that not only is trying to make a happy holiday season for their family and their immediate family, they might have children at home. But if you're caring for a loved one, a senior loved one or a spouse, there's this whole new element of, not only do I feel the pressure for myself, but how do I make the holidays special for those that I love. And when you have someone that you're caring for, that is not so easy." "We touched on some things in a previous show, how sometimes we forget to say thank you to those that we care about. But we also don't probably recognize all of the sacrifices that they make over the holiday season. I would love to have you share your thoughts on what life is like for a typical family caregiver that is taking care of someone that they love. And how does that affect the holiday season for them? Lori answers, "How are holidays for most people? They're chaotic. There is so much stress of what it's supposed to look like, how it's supposed to be, and keeping up with the Joneses to begin with, and all of our schedules are too tight, from the very beginning, and now you've got to decorate, and buy gifts, and do all of those types of things. Then you add in a person who is caring for someone, and now they're living two lives in their 24 hours. They have to fit in two different lives. It's different than taking care of your kids that, as they grow older, you can let them go do this and go do that. Many times, you're the person who has to go do that. Often, especially with our elders, you are picking up tasks that maybe you didn't do before. Maybe they did all the driving, and now you have to do the driving. You are now responsible for all the finances, and you never paid the bills before. These are the things that people don't think about. Or maybe they did all the cooking and the laundry, and now that's added on to your plate, and you thought your life was pretty full before that. "So you're living your life for two people, and then you're adding on all of these specialty kind of items for the holidays. On top of that, you have the guilt of how do I pull this off and not be in chaos? But yet how do I get some sleep, so so that I can carry out all of these things? I think there's so many things that are overlooked by people, because it's just taken for granted that they're doing OK, because we put on that Stepford-wife smile, like we've got it under control, and then we walk away and roll our eyes, and want to scream, 'We're never gonna get this all done!' "One is just appreciating how much is on somebody's plate. We're not in control of our schedules – that can change in a heartbeat. So you and I who aren't caring for someone, we can have our little checklist, and at three we're gonna do this, and then we're gonna go meet friends for happy hour, and then we're gonna go do this. A person who's caring for someone else can have major catastrophes throughout the day. That might not seem like a lot, but they are a lot when you're trying to squeeze them into one schedule." Learn more:* Alzheimer's Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alzheimer's Speaks host Lori La Bey joins Suzanne to talk how to give thanks to family caregivers on this Thanksgiving weekend, who put their lives on hold to take care of a senior loved one. Lori says, "Sometimes I think it's not even a formal thank you. And so a phone call or a card that just says I'm thinking of you, I'm praying for you. I love you. And then throw an offer out there. You want to go to a movie, you wanna go out to dinner, here's a gift card for a massage. I mean, there's so many different ways to do it. But I think those personal phone calls can really lift somebody up. You can laugh on a phone call. And that sometimes is really needed. Sometimes you can do that through a text, or an email. Just being able to remember and support them through all of life, it takes away [the feeling that] I'm not alone, that so many people have." Suzanne says, "If you know someone that is caring for a loved one and what kind of restaurant they love, there's all kinds of services like Doordash and Grubhub. Order a meal and have it sent by surprise. One time we had an opportunity to do that for someone who was caring for their mom. I had it sent and, and I called, and I said, 'Don't make plans for dinner tonight.' It was nothing for me to do it. It saves them hours of time not having to cook a meal and it brings some joy to their life." Lori adds, "We're in the holiday season, so helping them with decorations inside, out, or buying a wreath, or a poinsettia, all kinds of little teeny things can make a huge, huge difference. Or maybe somebody needs help shoveling snow, arranging for something like that. Or cutting the grass. Those things are huge." Learn more:* Alzheimer's Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alzheimer's Speaks host Lori La Bey joins Suzanne to talk about family caregiver statistics on Thanksgiving weekend. There are close to 60 million family caregivers in the United States. One in five provide unpaid care, 64% are women, 50% spend an average of 20 hours per week in caregiving, while 20% spend an average of 50 hours per week in caregiving. Family caregivers are involved in 80% of major decisions, and 75% are the primary Power of Attorney in financial, legal, and healthcare matters. Lori says, "People don't realize the cost and where it all draws from. Some caregivers move into a loved one's house, or some have them move into their home. Some are transporting back and forth and you've got time and mileage, wear and tear on the car, but you are picking up prescriptions and a lot of times paying for those. Same with groceries. There can be legal things. There are so many things that you end up paying for. You just pick it up because it's sometimes less work than trying to get reimbursed for it." Learn more:* Alzheimer's Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alzheimer's Speaks host Lori La Bey joins Suzanne to talk about the impact of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter on family caregiving. Carter, who passed away on November 19, founded the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers in 1987. Rosalynn Carter said, "There are only four kinds of people in this world, those who have been caregivers, those that are caregivers, those who will be caregivers or those who will need caregivers." This month, we have been celebrating and acknowledging, and most importantly, thanking those that are taking care of loved ones. Rosalynn Carter really raised awareness, and this segment focuses on her accomplishments. Lori says, "I just think of this sweet compassionate soul, somebody who saw the bigger picture way before it was OK to talk about, and really saw the need to have this conversation, to make the world comfortable in terms of even recognizing that you need help, or that you're giving help, or whatever it might be. And I loved her quote, that everyone's gonna fall into this net at one time or another, and there's no escaping it, and there shouldn't be any, any shame associated with it. People shouldn't have to feel overwhelmed, or have to hide it. And we should all still be able to live authentic lives through it. That's part of being human, that's part of society, that's part of living in community. And I think Rosalynn really understood the true meaning of living in community, where you help one another, you support one another, and you do that through kindness." Learn more:* Alzheimer's Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com* Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers: https://rosalynncarter.org Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Courtesy of Era Living, Suzanne is joined by Stefanie Starkovich, Executive Director of the UW Retirement Association. The association is an independent 501(c)(3) organization, powered by dues-paying members and member-volunteers, and supported by the University of Washington. Stefanie talks about what's available in this organization to enrich retired seniors. Stefanie says, "We really serve the diverse community of retired faculty and staff of the university. So, right now, that's about 10,000 living individuals. And it really runs the spectrum from faculty who taught at the university, to custodial and facility staff, to the professional staff who work in academic and student services, clinicians, and nurses, and other clinical staff in UW medicine's various hospitals and facilities. So it's this really rich and diverse body of folks. And we like to say we're a little bit like an alumni association, but the distinction for us is instead of spending four years affiliated with the institution, our members tend to have spent 30 or 40 years working for the institution. So they have a deep and abiding commitment to the university that really doesn't need to end simply because they're no longer drawing a paycheck." The association's connection to Era Living "actually goes back to the very reason that the organization was founded. Back in 1975, the retirement association was established by a group of faculty and staff. At that point in time, part of their purpose was to explore housing options for retirement, faculty, and staff of the university. They saw a real need, and so thus began a rather long odyssey. I think that idea sounded much easier than it proved to be in practice. And the board and its committees worked for a number of years to sort of figure out, what does that actually mean to pursue that kind of retirement housing? And when Era Living opened Ida Culver House in partnership with the Seattle Education Association, that's when Era Living as an organization came to the attention of the Retirement Association. And they thought, what an interesting partnership with an interesting commitment. And that is actually the beginning of that partnership." Stefanie adds, "Our members experience a really rich sort of set of perks and privileges. Our members enjoy priority access to the waitlist for University House Wallingford, which can be really quite valuable, because communities are in high demand. And as you can imagine, when you're ready to make that decision, it can be really reassuring to feel like you've got kind of an an inside track on getting space. There's some financial incentives as well for our members, but really what's important to them is that priority access. And also knowing that at University House, those other connections to the School of Nursing, and the School of Pharmacy, and the school, that all of the services provided at University House are really steeped in the latest research and the latest practices in terms of clinicians." Learn more:* UW Retirement Association: https://retirees.uw.edu/* Era Living's website: https://www.eraliving.com/ Hear more podcasts about Era Living at Answers for Elders, including conversations with other residents, at Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/era-living/ Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Courtesy of Era Living, Suzanne is joined by Professor Basia Belza from the de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging, part of the University of Washington School of Nursing. Dr. Belza says, "The mission of the de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging is to advance the science and the practice of healthy aging through the support of innovations and research, education and practice. And the center was initially endowed by Dr. Riba de Tornyay, who's one of our former deans at the University of Washington School of Nursing. And her husband Rudy Reba was a trailblazer when it comes to nursing as well as gerontology. And so their belief in the center was really that we would accomplish four things. One is that we would foster partnerships with our community partners. We would support the training of the workforce, specifically the nursing workforce. We would fund and promote healthy aging research and we would mentor and support students who were passionate about healthy aging." "It's an incredible partnership. In the early 1990s, one of the graduates of our PhD program was Doctor Heather Young, and she had a faculty appointment. But she also received the position of the Director of Community Health at Ida Culverhouse Broadview, which is one of the Era Living communities. And in that capacity, she really started our relationship. And five years later funded the de Tornyay Center. And so we have had 25 years of this partnership. "And I would love to be able to give you some examples of things that really have worked well in this partnership. So one is this program called Thrive, creating a therapeutic environment in the Era Living communities. This program was initially developed and evaluated by a team of staff, students, and faculty and then also Era Living residents and staff. And together the program was developed and evaluated four years ago and the program still continues today. "We have both faculty and students that every other month come into the communities and provide health lectures. And it's really up to the individual residents to make choices whether they come – the rooms are typically filled. I gave a lecture last month on brain health and its relationship to physical activity, very well attended. People wanted to know what are some accommodations I can make, so I can continue to be physically active, and I could be really good with it, but I might be starting to have some knee pain or I might not be able to go as faster as far. So those adaptations are really important. "One of our students is a professional violinist, and she came and talked about music on the mind. And as part of her presentation, which was standing-room only, she played her violin. And so she got everybody into the mindset of what it's like when you have music in the background or foreground and how that can help your health. So these lecture series are really critical ways that we build on our partnership and help residents make their own choices as far as ways that they can improve." Learn more:* Basia Belza: https://nursing.uw.edu/person/basia-belza/* UW School of Nursing: https://nursing.uw.edu/* Era Living's website: https://www.eraliving.com/ Hear more podcasts about Era Living at Answers for Elders, including conversations with other residents, at Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/era-living/ Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See <a...

June Sekiguchi, one of three art curators for Era Living, joins Suzanne to talk about art and how it plays into seniors and senior living. June is an arts organizer, practicing studio artist, and independent curator for Era Living. As a founding member of the artEAST Art Center, a visual arts non-profit organization and currently is collaborating with three artists to open an exhibition space for experimental 3-D works in all media with a focus on regional, national, and international artist exchanges. June has led organizational efforts for national and international art exhibition exchanges for Shift Collaborative Studio in Seattle and Stockholm, Sweden, Texas, and Arkansas. June says, "There are temporary rotating exhibitions at all of the Era Living communities. And we host three shows per year. So there are constantly shows being produced, and you can always see something that buildings are open, better than gallery hours. Now that we're post pandemic, we can open up, and people can see the shows. I'm one of three curators now at Era Living. And so we put out calls – big calls for art – and they're usually theme-based. And we also work with arts organizations. So, for instance, Women Painters of Washington or Seattle Co. Arts, those kind of members organizations, we do group shows for their members." June adds, "Once we have the show launched, we do the installation, and beautify the space and refresh the space. So then we hold gala receptions, which are different at each location, but usually it's a big party=. There's usually live music and hors d'oeuvres and wine. And it's a very festive feel, and the residents look forward to it, because it's something to look forward to as a party, but also to see the new art changed over, and meet the artist as well. So it's a really feel-good time... the residents overwhelmingly welcome the new work coming in. It refreshes the space and it enlightens spaces and it's a chance for new dialogue and conversations about the art. It's not always that people are going to love every piece of art, but that dialogue happens. Maybe they don't like it, and the reasons why, so it's a conversation builder and it just makes them start thinking about the art that we're presenting. "At University House Wallingford, I lead curators preview tours. So I come after the installation is done, and people sign up for doing a little tour with me, so I can talk about the art. There are other things that we do in conjunction with the art shows. We have in the past done artist talks, so we select two or three artists from the show, and then they can go more in-depth with their art practice. So that's really enriching opportunities, and it's a wonderful opportunity for the artist as well to do that sharing." Learn more:* June Sekiguchi: https://www.junesekiguchi.com/bio* Era Living's website: https://www.eraliving.com/ Hear more podcasts about Era Living at Answers for Elders, including conversations with other residents, at Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/era-living/ Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Courtesy of Era Living, Emily Jones, executive director of NEST – North East Seattle Together, joins Suzanne to talk about connections. NEST is a virtual community connecting members with each other and with resources to age successfully in the place they call home. It's a 501(c)(3) non-profit grassroots community founded in 2009. NEST makes it easier for people to connect in the ways that they want to connect, whether for social activities or a hand around the house. Emily says, "NEST stands for North East Seattle Together. It's a grassroots organization that was founded in 2009 by a group of neighbors who were interested in staying where they lived, and they didn't want something like an achy lower back or arthritic hands to keep them from living in their homes. And so they realized that, through a neighbor network, they would be able to support each other. So if they needed weeds pulled, they could ask a neighbor to do it, or take the garbage out to the curb. There was a movement that began in the Boston area for virtual villages. And the idea was to create a network of neighbors who wanted to support each other through the transitions of aging. And so the movement came over here to the west coast, and we are the oldest virtual village in the Seattle area. There are six now in the greater Seattle area." Emily adds, "NEST began a sponsorship program in 2015, and Era Living was one of our very first platinum sponsors. They have been loyal and incredible partners with us since then. And they've helped us in a whole variety of ways, from sponsoring programs and events, but also in ways that help us celebrate our members and our volunteers. Right now, we have a speaker series going on about creating connections. And this month's focus is on finding connections to the holidays. So they bring in speakers that are of interest to our members and the general community. And then we also actually are holding a fall prevention workshop at Aljoya Thornton Place of their locations as well. So we bring some of our activities to them and they help bring some activities and events to us as well and to our members." Learn more:* NEST: https://nestseattle.clubexpress.com* Era Living's website: https://www.eraliving.com/ Hear more podcasts about Era Living at Answers for Elders, including conversations with other residents, at Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/era-living/ Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flanna says, "A lot of people don't know really what home care services are, and sometimes they get kind of mixed up with home health. Home care services are non-medical services that we provide to people in their home, and we call them activities of daily living. So that's like hygiene dressing, taking a shower, moving around your home, maybe bed mobility, repositioning, things like that. And home health is actually services provided by a licensed practical or registered nurse that are medical in nature, like wound care care, they might come in and provide one type of task. And so the type of services we provide are the first ones I described, which are the home care services. So it really can range, and every client has different care needs. "We provide supervision support for someone who is mobile, they can move around their home, they can still feed themselves, but we're there to do coaching, queuing, make sure they take their medication, help them with some hygiene, meal preparation, all the way – the full spectrum – to someone who might be quadriplegic, who really is on a caregiver to provide every single activity of daily living for them, helping them prepare and set up everything for meals, feeding them, and all of those supports. "That's really the gamut of kind of home care is, and really intended to be an hourly service. So we can come in for one-hour visits all the way up to live-in support, what we call 24/7 care, where we're providing 24/7 awake care for clients. And so we provide the full range of service, which is really great for families because you could be the informal caregiver and take Saturday and Sunday off. The home care agency can provide two 12-hour shifts on Saturdays and Sundays, and really just give you the weekend back essentially. Or it could be just a morning routine, or evening routine, or even providing supports during the day while the informal caregiver's at work. So it runs the full kind of spectrum of care needs. And we also do medical escort, grocery shopping, activities like errands and the park. For private pay clients, they need to go to the casino, we'll take them. Lots of different things that people like to do, we can make sure that they still have integration in the community." Learn more:* Fedelta: https://fedeltahomecare.com/ Hear more:* Podcasts celebrating caregivers: https://answersforelders.com/category/saluting-caregivers/ Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flanna Perkins, CEO of Fedelta Home Care in Seattle &amp; Portland, Oregon, joins Suzanne to talk about caregivers getting extra assistance from home care, a wonderful way to improve the lives of both the caregiver and the senior. Suzanne says, "A caregiver isn't supposed to be a sacrificial lamb. They are supposed to be an advocate, and I think that's a mind shift. It's an ability to understand that you're a facilitator, and it's still about your loved one's life. And I think that's one of the things that we forget. I know, I forgot that point while caregiving." Flanna replies, "One thing I see a lot of times is that decision making leaves the client. If we stop trusting that our parent, for example, can make their own decisions and can live their own life. And there's this concept called 'dignity of risk.' And sometimes we don't give people that dignity to take their own risks. Your parent's health is declining, and you come in, and you really start dictating a lot of things. And to me that's when I see the relationship between the elderly person and their adult child take a turn for the worse. It's really important to allow the person who needs care, the ability to continue to make decisions for themselves, and have that independence. I think that by doing that, you end up having more trust with your parent, or whoever you care for, and understand what their wants and desires are. "A lot of times we come in too late, very late in the process of the person's illness. And so now it's very difficult, because we're a stranger, and they don't know us, and we're coming in and providing a person that they don't know, and the person receiving care is scared and they're nervous. And so one of the big recommendations I have, and that's why I'm such a believer in respite care, is that when you start seeing that your loved one needs a little bit more care, needs a little bit more help, start home care a little bit sooner, with fewer hours. And [when you're] in a respite care-type situation, you'll then have things in a much better place when you need a little bit more care, and you can just kind of slowly increase care for that loved one, and it isn't such a whiplashing experience for them. So that's, that's one of my recommendations. "When we come in and provide care, most times families are really relieved. It's really powerful. They just feel like they can just kind of like really go back to being the adult child." Suzanne suggests, "Select a home care agency before you need them. Especially if someone's on Medicaid, they have to get approved. If you're aging in place at home, even if you don't need home care, get you yourself registered with one. Then if you have a fall, you need somebody, whatever it is, you don't have to go through a process. You can have somebody there that day. in many cases." Flanna agrees. "Every state has a lot of regulations around these services. It isn't just a matter of dispatching a caregiver into a home. There's a very kind of formal process that happens. When we see situations that are very stressful, [it's because] there's been a lot of delay in getting services started." Learn more:* Fedelta: https://fedeltahomecare.com/ Hear more:* Podcasts celebrating caregivers: https://answersforelders.com/category/saluting-caregivers/ Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flanna Perkins, CEO of Fedelta Home Care in Seattle &amp; Portland, Oregon, joins Suzanne to talk about caregivers getting extra assistance. Fedelta provides companionship care, respite care, post hospital care, daily living assistance, long-term care, end of life comfort &amp; care, and personal care. Flanna says, "There are two types of caregivers. There's what we would call the informal caregiver. Suzanne, you were the informal caregiver for your mother: you were providing care for her, it was unpaid, you were doing it because she was your mom, out of the kindness of your heart. And then there are the caregivers that our company hires, paid caregivers, people that come in and provide paid support for folks. And one thing that we see so often that happens is when people finally make it to us, a lot of times that informal caregiver is really burnt out, frustrated." She adds, "And a lot of families feel guilt. They feel like they should be doing more for their loved one. They also feel like they shouldn't be asking for outside help at times, they should do it on their own. And really, when we come in, we're saying, 'Hey, where are the pain points for you? What are the places that are creating extra stress?' And we find those areas, and say, what if we just take these things off of your plate? We don't want to take everything away. That's not the goal for any professional that comes in, and provides care for additional assistance. But you know, it's pretty powerful when you get the full care team together to provide care. Kind of almost that kind of 'takes a village' concept, when you're providing care for a loved one. And a lot of times we don't really plan or understand what our end of life will look like or the end of life for our parents will look like. And it's really traumatizing. It's very hard, it's difficult, it's emotional. I mean, you know, even though I've worked in this field for my, pretty much my entire adult life, you know, we're all also experiencing it ourselves with our loved ones as well." "This really amazing person answers all of our calls. Our home care supervisors are happy to come out, and we do phone screenings, and phone assessments for our clients. We can go to the home and provide a home visit. But most of the work we do, honestly, is in this space when we have an informal caregiver, and it's usually a son or a daughter, who is reaching a point in delivering care to their loved one that they just can't manage it independently any longer." Learn more:* Fedelta: https://fedeltahomecare.com/ Hear more:* Podcasts celebrating caregivers: https://answersforelders.com/category/saluting-caregivers/ Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kitty Norton, creator and producer of ''Wine, Women, and Dementia,'' joins Suzanne to talk more about her caregivers documentary. She describes where you can watch the movie, shares feedback she's gotten from various screenings, and updates us on the status of the film. Kitty says, "We're finishing up the last of our film festivals this weekend. But because this is National Family Caregiver Month and this is our public roll out, we've got a lot of in-person screenings coming up. There's three in New Jersey later in the month. We have a one in Dallas at the very end of the month. We have one in Seattle at the very end of the month. Everybody should go to www.winewomenanddementia.com, see if it's playing in your area. "This is not yet on the website, but it will be soon. I'm gonna have to pull the film back in December and really figure out 2024, but I wanted to make one big #thankful4caregivers weekend. So the film will be free Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the weekend after Thanksgiving. And you can just log on to the link when I get it made, when I get it on the website, and view the film." Regarding comments she's gotten, Kitty says, "One of the magical things for me about the film that I didn't expect is meeting the caregivers afterwards and being a part of their experience of seeing their journeys belong to the overall narrative of dementia, because we're not talked to very much. We're not asked very much what is happening. I didn't want people to thank me on this journey. What I wanted people to say was, how's your mom, and really mean it, and really want to hear. Like, 'oh, she's in memory care right now.' 'How's that going?' 'Ah, terrible.' You know, or, 'oh, she did this or this? What did you do?' And I was like, 'well, first I laughed hysterically, and then I cleaned the poop up.' Asking these questions and, and be interested, because there's a lot of interesting things that happen in dementia." Learn more:* Wine, Women, and Dementia: https://www.winewomenanddementia.com/* Kitty Norton: https://www.winewomenanddementia.com/the-filmmakers Hear more:* Podcasts celebrating caregivers: https://answersforelders.com/category/saluting-caregivers/ Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kitty Norton, creator and producer of ''Wine, Women, and Dementia,'' joins Suzanne to share three tips for caring for a loved one. Kitty says, "Number one is community. And if people are disappearing on you in this dementia journey, on you and your dementia person, then go elsewhere, find them elsewhere. Get on the forums. Alzheimer's Association has a great forum, Alz Connect, our society in England has a great forum. A lot of support groups have gone permanently online now because of the pandemic. The daughterhood, they have support virtual support groups you can sign up for, see if you like the people in them, see if you see if it clicks with, just find people. Do not do this alone... My solution to not being able to join them for wine was to have a Zoom wine night. They might be together. We all might be on our laptops in our separate houses, and we just pour a glass of wine, and we'd still have our girls night out. "Number two is creativity. This is a journey that you cannot sit in one solution for very long. So just be creative, don't say to yourself, 'I can't do this. My person won't go to day centers. That's never gonna be an option for us.' It may be an option later. They may be more progressed and it may be fine. In the meantime, figure out what you can do to get some of that time to yourself in a different way. You just have to be creative every day. Some of the most frustrating parts for me as a caregiver were real: We just solved that problem a month ago — a month ago we figured out a new way to get the meds in, and now that's not working. And I just wanna bash my head against a wall. Don't go there. Just open your mind up and think about how else to get it done. Everything, everything is an option in dementia. "Number three is you're the expert. I think all of us start this journey thinking the people that we expect to have the answers, the medical community, are going to somehow be helpful. And while I think they're trying to catch up, they are not the expert. Do not put up with doctors who will not work with you, do not put up with doctors who are dismissive of you or your dementia person. Move on, go to someone else. When you have an issue, tell the doctors your solution is not going to work. Do you have another solution, or do I need to talk to someone else? And it takes a while to get there. We're pretty used to them being the authority. But eventually you're going to understand that you're the one who knows the most about your dementia person." Learn more:* Wine, Women, and Dementia: https://www.winewomenanddementia.com/* Kitty Norton: https://www.winewomenanddementia.com/the-filmmakers Hear more:* Podcasts celebrating caregivers: https://answersforelders.com/category/saluting-caregivers/ Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kitty Norton, creator and producer of ''Wine, Women, and Dementia,'' joins Suzanne to talk more about the origins of her caregivers documentary. Kitty says, "I started a blog in 2018 and mom died in 2021. And during that time, we had kind of built this community around people who also were using humor to try and get through that, and acknowledging all the feels, not allowing the stigma and the guilt to be a part of the journey too much. You can't block it all together... Five people in particular in this journey became very, very important to me as virtual support. Everybody who followed the blog commented, all of that stuff, was important, but these five people, I had really connected with them. "After mom died, I decided I wanted to go meet them and I just wanted to tell them in person how much they meant to me, and open a bottle of wine and just talk, because we had been so good at just emails and Zooms. So then I thought, well, if I'm gonna do that, maybe those conversations might be really helpful for other caregivers. Why not hire a film crew and see what we can do here. And we did a month-long trip around the country. But the very first person we did was Allison Schrier up in Seattle, because I'm based in Portland. I wanted to make sure, before we roamed around the country, that I had a film, and I came back, looked at the footage of Alison's formal interview without me. And then the wine chats that we did at night once I showed up, and I was like, for sure, this is a film. This is a film I wish I could have seen in 2016. I want to make this. So that's how the whole trip got started. I bought a beat up old RV, and I plastered mom's face all over it, and I grabbed my friend Bethy from L.A., and she's a screenwriter, so she doesn't have normal jobs like everybody else. And I was like, hey, you wanna go on a three-week trip with me around the country?" Kitty shared what surprised her most about meeting most of them. "I was so nervous: What if we don't like each other in person? I've got an RV, I'm going to be parked in your driveway. I'm gonna be taking your electricity. What if we meet and at the end of the night you're like, "Ugh!" But that didn't happen, we all loved each other, and we just started talking... The crew would sometimes scold us like, "Don't, stop! You're talking about stuff we should have on camera, and we're not set up yet!" We just couldn't wait to start sharing in person the experiences that we had touched on virtually, it's so fantastic." Learn more:* Wine, Women, and Dementia: https://www.winewomenanddementia.com/* Kitty Norton: https://www.winewomenanddementia.com/the-filmmakers Hear more:* Podcasts celebrating caregivers: https://answersforelders.com/category/saluting-caregivers/ Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kitty Norton, creator and producer of the caregivers documentary feature ''Wine, Women, and Dementia,'' joins Suzanne. Kitty shared, "I am the eldest daughter of Gloria and Gary Norton. I have a younger sister. My family always had a very wry, self-deprecating sense of humor. It's always been my saving grace in really difficult situations. When my mother was first diagnosed with vascular dementia, that was back in 2010. And my dad had decided that he would be her primary caregiver and he was very adamant about that. And my father was also kind of very insular. So even though mom had a big family, he was concerned about sisters butting in, and sisters were starting to feel like they weren't allowed access to my mom. And it was an adjustment for everybody. "I was working as an assistant editor in network TV. And in 2016, my father died rather suddenly from pancreatic cancer, and it was diagnosis to death with three weeks. And my sister who lives on the Oregon Coast, both of us knew that mom couldn't live on her own. I had just been hired for the first season of "This is Us," the NBC show, but I had to call and tell them I have to move back home. I have to move back to Oregon and live with my mom. So we did. And it was incredibly tough, like you've said before. It's, you know, this is the hardest thing you'll ever do. "But I was also struck with the amount of life there is to live in dementia. And it's a really, really different life than what you're used to. But there's still life, and my mom still needed to live her life. She wasn't dying anytime soon, and we still needed to leave live ours. So that's a lot of where our humor ended up saving my sister and I. We could get together afterwards after a really tough day. I'd just feel like I did this wrong, I did this wrong, I did this wrong, and then we could laugh about it. She could tease me about it." Kitty adds, "You had to use dementia against itself. We gave her one of those cards that you open and sings once for Mother's Day, and I noticed that at meal time, we'd have it sitting up, and she'd look at it, and she'd open it, and it'd start singing. She'd just giggle, giggle, giggle and then se put it down. Five minutes later I'd pick it up, I'd put it in front of her. I'd give her a couple of minutes. She'd pick it up. She'd open it up it, sing. She'd giggle, giggle, giggle. It was like all new all the time." Learn more:* Wine, Women, and Dementia: https://www.winewomenanddementia.com/* Kitty Norton: https://www.winewomenanddementia.com/the-filmmakers Hear more:* Podcasts celebrating caregivers: https://answersforelders.com/category/saluting-caregivers/ Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of National Caregiver Month, Star Bradbury joins Suzanne to continue the discussion about her 2023 book, "Successfully Navigating Your Parents' Senior Years." Millions of Americans are in an active caregiver role or will be in one in the future, yet few have a solid plan for the inevitable challenges of aging. Whether your parents are in their 60s or their 90s, and whether they have years of health ahead of them or already need more support, Successfully Navigating Your Parents’ Senior Years provides the framework and information you need to prepare for and handle with confidence the changes to come. The responsibility of caring for an aging loved one is often daunting—and when trouble hits, the sudden barrage of questions you face can be overwhelming. Have your parents executed their Advance Directives? Do you know what to look for in a senior community (and how to ensure a spot is available when you need it)? If your parents want to stay in their home, what can you do to ensure their safety? Certified aging life care specialist and CEO of Senior Living Strategies Star Bradbury draws on her 25 years of experience in senior living to bring you an up-to-date, comprehensive guide to navigating the tricky waters ahead—starting with putting a plan in place now that maximizes your parents’ independence while providing them with the support they need. Learn more: * Star Bradbury: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BRT9M6VQ/about* Successfully Navigating Your Parents' Senior Years on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Successfully-Navigating-Parents-Senior-Years/dp/1637742479* Google Books preview of the book: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Successfully_Navigating_Your_Parents_Sen/--VxEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&amp;gbpv=1&amp;printsec=frontcover Hear more:* Podcasts celebrating caregivers: https://answersforelders.com/category/saluting-caregivers/ Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of National Caregiver Month, Star Bradbury joins Suzanne to continue the discussion about her 2023 book, "Successfully Navigating Your Parents' Senior Years." Millions of Americans are in an active caregiver role or will be in one in the future, yet few have a solid plan for the inevitable challenges of aging. Whether your parents are in their 60s or their 90s, and whether they have years of health ahead of them or already need more support, Successfully Navigating Your Parents’ Senior Years provides the framework and information you need to prepare for and handle with confidence the changes to come. The responsibility of caring for an aging loved one is often daunting—and when trouble hits, the sudden barrage of questions you face can be overwhelming. Have your parents executed their Advance Directives? Do you know what to look for in a senior community (and how to ensure a spot is available when you need it)? If your parents want to stay in their home, what can you do to ensure their safety? Certified aging life care specialist and CEO of Senior Living Strategies Star Bradbury draws on her 25 years of experience in senior living to bring you an up-to-date, comprehensive guide to navigating the tricky waters ahead—starting with putting a plan in place now that maximizes your parents’ independence while providing them with the support they need. Learn more: * Star Bradbury: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BRT9M6VQ/about* Successfully Navigating Your Parents' Senior Years on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Successfully-Navigating-Parents-Senior-Years/dp/1637742479* Google Books preview of the book: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Successfully_Navigating_Your_Parents_Sen/--VxEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&amp;gbpv=1&amp;printsec=frontcover Hear more:* Podcasts celebrating caregivers: https://answersforelders.com/category/saluting-caregivers/ Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of National Caregiver Month, Star Bradbury joins Suzanne to talk about her 2023 book, "Successfully Navigating Your Parents' Senior Years." Millions of Americans are in an active caregiver role or will be in one in the future, yet few have a solid plan for the inevitable challenges of aging. Whether your parents are in their 60s or their 90s, and whether they have years of health ahead of them or already need more support, Successfully Navigating Your Parents’ Senior Years provides the framework and information you need to prepare for and handle with confidence the changes to come. The responsibility of caring for an aging loved one is often daunting—and when trouble hits, the sudden barrage of questions you face can be overwhelming. Have your parents executed their Advance Directives? Do you know what to look for in a senior community (and how to ensure a spot is available when you need it)? If your parents want to stay in their home, what can you do to ensure their safety? Certified aging life care specialist and CEO of Senior Living Strategies Star Bradbury draws on her 25 years of experience in senior living to bring you an up-to-date, comprehensive guide to navigating the tricky waters ahead—starting with putting a plan in place now that maximizes your parents’ independence while providing them with the support they need. Learn more: * Star Bradbury: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BRT9M6VQ/about* Successfully Navigating Your Parents' Senior Years on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Successfully-Navigating-Parents-Senior-Years/dp/1637742479* Google Books preview of the book: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Successfully_Navigating_Your_Parents_Sen/--VxEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&amp;gbpv=1&amp;printsec=frontcover Hear more:* Podcasts celebrating caregivers: https://answersforelders.com/category/saluting-caregivers/ Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of National Caregiver Month, Star Bradbury joins Suzanne to continue the discussion about her 2023 book, "Successfully Navigating Your Parents' Senior Years." Millions of Americans are in an active caregiver role or will be in one in the future, yet few have a solid plan for the inevitable challenges of aging. Whether your parents are in their 60s or their 90s, and whether they have years of health ahead of them or already need more support, Successfully Navigating Your Parents’ Senior Years provides the framework and information you need to prepare for and handle with confidence the changes to come. The responsibility of caring for an aging loved one is often daunting—and when trouble hits, the sudden barrage of questions you face can be overwhelming. Have your parents executed their Advance Directives? Do you know what to look for in a senior community (and how to ensure a spot is available when you need it)? If your parents want to stay in their home, what can you do to ensure their safety? Certified aging life care specialist and CEO of Senior Living Strategies Star Bradbury draws on her 25 years of experience in senior living to bring you an up-to-date, comprehensive guide to navigating the tricky waters ahead—starting with putting a plan in place now that maximizes your parents’ independence while providing them with the support they need. Learn more: * Star Bradbury: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BRT9M6VQ/about* Successfully Navigating Your Parents' Senior Years on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Successfully-Navigating-Parents-Senior-Years/dp/1637742479* Google Books preview of the book: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Successfully_Navigating_Your_Parents_Sen/--VxEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&amp;gbpv=1&amp;printsec=frontcover Hear more:* Podcasts celebrating caregivers: https://answersforelders.com/category/saluting-caregivers/ Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lori La Bey, Alzheimer's Speaks host, joins Suzanne to talk about the Noble Swan, an Answers for Elders initiative to help support family caregivers. Suzanne explains the metaphor of the noble swan for caregivers. "The most noble thing you can do is care for someone else. I thought about it a long time, and I thought we need some sort of an icon, that every time you see that icon, it would honor that person, that you get it, the life that they live, that you share that with that other person "A swan glides across the glassy lake, right? You don't see anything else but this graceful beauty of this individual. But what's going on underneath the surface is, these feet are feverishly paddling to get that swan to go to where it's going. I thought that was just this amazing metaphor of a family caregiver. It's that person that is always greeting their loved one with a smile. They always have everything together, even though their life is crazy in the background. They hold all the pieces together, and they do everything they can, with so much nobility and so much grace. And that's why we picked the noble swan. "We have poems that accompany the Noble Swan and and a very exciting thing starting in November on for National Caregivers Month. We will have a very special bouquet to send to your loved one and in partnership with FTD. So we will learn more about that as we move forward um in November." Lori adds, "I just think it's going to give people so much comfort. It's going to give the family and friends who want to support a way to support, because they don't always know how. And so it's a step in the door, because sometimes you have family and friends that aren't in the area, they can't physically help. But boy, having a beautiful bouquet of flowers that is specifically for a caregiver, with a beautiful poem attached to it, it's just going to be one of those things you walk by, and it's going to fill your heart every single time, and it's going to be something that people aren't going to forget." What else can people do to support family caregivers? Lori says, "You know, taking somebody out. It could be a manicure, it could be to a ball game, it could be to a movie. It might just be going out for a walk – cutting grass, it's endless. Just think of all the things that you do personally you could use help with." Learn more:Alzheimer's Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alzheimer's Speaks host Lori La Bey joins Suzanne to talk about what caregivers need most. Lori says they need to be understood, appreciated, supported, not feel alone, and have choice and a voice in how we move forward. Suzanne described a welcome experience. "I had friends that would ask, how can we help, Suzanne? And I was so overwhelmed, I'd say, 'oh, I'm fine,' or I would do this and I didn't even think about it. After probably like three years into caring for my mom, I had two girlfriends show up at my doorstep, and they said, 'We're the Joy Committee. We've hired a caregiver for you to be there for your mom for the day, and we're gonna take you out, and we're gonna bring joy to your life, and you can feel free to call anytime, do whatever you want if you wanna vent. That was one of the greatest gifts I'd ever been given. And I didn't even think about it at the time. I was too overwhelmed." Lori says, "I had girlfriends like that too. They didn't come and take me out, but I ended up joining them for coffee every week. I kept pushing away, because I didn't have time. But when I finally did go have coffee — and my intent was to have coffee and then not ask me again, because I just didn't have time for it — I found out how empty my soul was, because I was so busy being busy, and caring for everyone else but myself. I got refilled, and it felt so good. It felt joyful, it felt peaceful. I felt energized, all of those things that I think we overlook so often because we're too busy being busy." Lori adds, "Sending cards, even, could be a small little thing like that, for a lot of people. I would send a card every week. It would just drop it in the mail. I do like a dozen of them at a time. And they said, boy, it was just nice to get something in the mail. Or calling somebody just to check in to say, 'how are you doing? And I really want to hear how you're doing.' Just somebody to listen, and to understand, and to know that it's ok, no matter what happens." Learn more:Alzheimer's Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lori La Bey, Alzheimer's Speaks host, joins Suzanne. In this segment, Lori asks Suzanne about her experiences as a caregiver and founder of Answers for Elders. Suzanne says, "I was a family caregiver, taking care of my mother for the last six years of her life. I don't consider myself a stupid human being, but I had no clue what I was dealing with. There was terminology being used. I didn't even know there were caregiving agencies out there that could care for my loved one. There's no school out there that teaches you what you're supposed to know. "One of the things that was so stressful for me was, I would wake up in the middle of the night after making a huge decision for my mom that was maybe monumental in certain ways. And I would be laying there wondering if I did the right thing. And that was almost more stressful to me then knowing what my resource were, because I was making decisions believing that I didn't have all the facts. I had what people were telling me, but they didn't know my mother, they didn't know her values. And I needed to feel like I was empowered, and I didn't have that feeling ever. "I lost my job due due to caregiving. I was in my early fifties, and I realized really quick, if you're in senior management, you're not gonna get looked at because they'd rather hire the 35 year old that would work for half the salary that I was, at the top of my career, and it was also a recession, 2009. And I made the choice. There was a spiritual teacher that I read a lot of, Emma Curtis Hopkins. I'm paraphrasing, but one of the things Emma says that resonated with me was, if you see a job, it's yours. And I thought, you know what, it is mine. "I realized that caregiving is interconnected. There's all different pieces. There's financial, there's legal, there's housing situations, there's care solutions, there's health care that you're juggling, and somehow you have to coexist in a family where sometimes you're feeling resentful, and feeling taken advantage of, and feeling overwhelmed. And you have to take care of your own self. And I realized more and more what was needed out there was a resource, Answers for Elders, where we can help empower people, and that's how we started." Learn more:Alzheimer's Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alzheimer's Speaks host Lori La Bey joins Suzanne to talk about family caregivers and how we can help support them. There are about 70 million adult family caregivers in the USA, and they spend an average of 20 hours caring for someone else each week. Many of them spend more than 40 hours a week. They allow the rest of the family to go on with their everyday lives. They make sacrifices, they hit roadblocks, they are overwhelmed, they're stressed out, and they're trying to juggle caregiving, their career, and their family. Lori says, "I just came from two support groups that I do today, and they all said the most challenging thing to a dementia caregiver is patience. 'I need more patience. I'm exhausted, I'm tired. I don't know how to deal with something.' And that level of guilt when somebody snaps or doesn't do something as well as they know they could have. And they're very disappointed in themselves, because they really do want to care well, but we don't teach people how to care and we need to share our stories. To take that aloneness out of the equation is huge. "The one thing I hear when I go speak is: How do I fix my siblings? How do I get them to care? How do we work as a group? People really, really struggle with that, and when you hear of a family who has it all figured out, I really let them know they are the unicorn in the room. It's not the norm." Learn more:Alzheimer's Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Florence Klein, author of "Under the Hat: Memoir of an Unstoppable Woman Trailblazer," joins Suzanne to talk about how she's been able throughout her life to overcome fear and intimidation, lead an inspirational life, and be courageous. Florence says, "I've been blessed with good health and that's a blessing. So I appreciate that and I'm very thankful for that. Also, I'm always looking forward and I don't look back, and so that is important. I want to make a difference, and I feel that I'm on this world now, and I'm able to, and I want to help." "Courage is a trait that we all could use more of, not less of. And it's not what we always think about, like bravery during a dramatic mission or heroic rescue, but it simmers and manifests itself in the biggest and smallest of ways within us, when we're not even aware of its quiet but steady presence. What is courage exactly? I believe that courage is understanding yourself, having the plain old guts to go forward, and not stop. Taking the time to get to know yourself as a human being, and cultivating confidence in your own abilities, intuition, and identity, and not being concerned with what other people think about you, or what you look like, and so much of who you think you are, start not when you're 18 years old. It starts when you're three and four years old, and they label people. Oh, you're too short. And so you think, well, jeez, I can't play basketball. And so it takes courage. I never particularly really thought of myself as courageous or brave, I simply went out and did it. "The flip side of courage is fear. And a lot of fear comes from not being able to make a difficult decision. And how many people you and I know cannot make a decision. Get over it. It's time, it's time if you have to make a decision, don't wait till, well, next year, I'll do it or well, my house isn't ready, so I can't entertain, or going down to the middle things – don't be so afraid. "I'm inspiring young people, the Z Group. And the Z Group is from 19 to 35. I'm trying to have them have book clubs. I had one with a Z Group. I have questions in the back of my book that you should use for your for your book club. And the first question they asked is, what am I afraid of? Now think of that, an interesting discussion: what are you afraid of?" Learn more:* Florence's website: https://florenceunderthehat.com/* Under the Hat: Memoir of an Unstoppable Woman Trailblazer: https://florenceunderthehat.com/product/under-the-hat* Books by Florence Klein: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Florence-Klein Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Octogenarian Florence Klein, author of "Under the Hat: Memoir of an Unstoppable Woman Trailblazer," joins Suzanne, talking about ageism and about being "old." Florence says, “What is the meaning of old? "Oh, you're old." I have always felt that the word old when referring to someone who is of a certain age, starts very young. I never considered my grand mom Ida old. Yes, I was aware that she was older than me. However, I never thought of her as incapable, or incompetent to take charge of her life. She was an active woman, and we often blurred out the word "old" carelessly, not at all realizing the negative connotations. And I personally have always believed that the concept of old stays with you from an early age on throughout. Even now at 89, I don't consider myself old. I know that's all relative, but we all know how the person that may be 31 or 32 considers themselves old. "Let's look at the definition of the term ageism, because it differs from just being older. The Miriam Webster Dictionary defines ageism as a prejudice or discrimination against a particular age group, and especially the elderly... But it's not just older people that are discriminated against, it's younger people, and older people sometimes discriminate against the youth, especially adolescents and children. Media is very condescending toward it, and media themselves says, oh, you're so young, or you're just too young for that. And that's what happened. And elders also perpetuate themselves and ageism. And so we have to be more aware of it, and that's why now people are talking about it, because after all, so much more of the population, fortunately, is staying healthier and living longer." Learn more:* Florence's website: https://florenceunderthehat.com/* Under the Hat: Memoir of an Unstoppable Woman Trailblazer: https://florenceunderthehat.com/product/under-the-hat* Books by Florence Klein: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Florence-Klein Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Octogenarian Florence Klein, author of "Under the Hat: Memoir of an Unstoppable Woman Trailblazer," joins Suzanne. Florence was one of Philadelphia's first women stockbrokers, and the first woman real estate developer in America to renovate old factory buildings into historic condos. She volunteered in one of America's highest-security prisons, and started one of the first websites to help seniors in need. She talks about marketing her memoir as her sixth career. Florence says, "I've always looked ahead 10 years or more, and I never look behind because you can't go back. For me, it's always looking ahead and seeing what moves ahead, what I see ahead." Learn more:* Florence's website: https://florenceunderthehat.com/* Under the Hat: Memoir of an Unstoppable Woman Trailblazer: https://florenceunderthehat.com/product/under-the-hat* Books by Florence Klein: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Florence-Klein Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Florence Klein, author of "Under the Hat: Memoir of an Unstoppable Woman Trailblazer," joins Suzanne to talk about loneliness as a big concern for seniors. Florence says the solution is for seniors to live in inter-generational homes with young and old people living together. She also talks about social workers needing to be paid more and for seniors to make sure they go to the doctor. Florence says, "The biggest need today is loneliness. And so what happens when seniors lose their friends, they lose their spouses or partners, their children may be across the country, across the world, and we don't have a sufficient reality, because people have put seniors into senior housing. Well, I disagree with that. I think that seniors should be intergenerational, and we should have intergenerational housing. And that means the young and the old. Maggie Kuhn years ago set up an intergenerational house with young people, maybe four or five bedrooms. And then I went to see her in Philadelphia. And it's amazing how they all work together. And even here in the west, there are still not enough intergenerational housing, the young and the old. "And if that is one of the major needs for today, the other need is, we need social workers to be paid more, and they're not unionized. And there's a shortage, and after all, we're all getting older. Not everybody is physically able. Who's going to help them. It used to be, families were all together. In Philadelphia, for instance, there was an Italian area, and in that Italian area in South Philadelphia, Italian people lived on the same block or two blocks next to each other. That isn't happening today even in Philadelphia. And so that is a need and can be cured through intergeneration. "Also, we need to have people that are going to help seniors go to the doctors. Nobody takes you to the doctor. I just spoke to a friend this morning and she said, well, I got into the rotary club – we were talking my rotary club – and she says, well, I went up and fell on a bar stool off a bar stool. Well, it wasn't a bar stool, it was a stool that was putting up a light. And she called 911, and to this day, she called 911 and refused to go to the doctor. You need people to take you to the doctor, to acknowledge that you have to go. I'm working on something that I think will help remedy the situation, which I haven't totally put together yet. But it is something that I think is needed." Learn more:* Florence's website: https://florenceunderthehat.com/* Under the Hat: Memoir of an Unstoppable Woman Trailblazer: https://florenceunderthehat.com/product/under-the-hat* Books by Florence Klein: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Florence-Klein Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alzheimer's and dementia expert Forrest Stepnowski joins Suzanne to talk about dementia, particularly when someone with dementia has gone through a traumatic event. Forrest is CarePartners Living's Executive Director of The Cottages at Renton, in Seattle. Forrest says, "Whether people choose to admit it, trauma — like we used to treat dementia — is an invisible diagnosis that no one wants to talk about. And even if we ourselves have exhibited or experienced something traumatic in our life, that can be very, very scary for us to bring up. Sometimes we forget that our memories come back, and people are getting hit by these memories of traumatic events to the point where... it could be child abuse. Dare I say rape, sexual trauma, all those things come back as dementia progresses itself. And that is something that people forget about. When you see somebody who has dementia, and you start seeing them layer up, and they're being paranoid, and they're being guarded, we have to look at that part. And when we discover that piece, we're able to treat them better. We're able to provide better care and understanding of why, we're able to speak their language and help them with their care. All those things play a role. Suzanne asked about PTSD statistics. Forrest explains, "In Washington State is estimated that 80% of our population has suffered a trauma of some sort. PTSD is one of the number one hidden diagnoses, or least diagnosed. Different populations in the '80s and '70s – women especially were misdiagnosed as bipolar versus PTSD – be fair, in the '80s, they didn't even know what PTSD was. Everyone's always had that identified to people who were soldiers, especially people from Vietnam." Contact Forrest Stepnowski at The Cottages at Renton at (425) 528-7070. CarePartners has communities in Arizona and the state of Washington. Learn more: * The Cottages at Renton: https://www.carepartnersliving.com/cottages-of-renton/* CarePartners Senior Living: https://answersforelders.com/carepartners-senior-living/* CarePartners website: https://www.carepartnersliving.com/ Hear more:* Shows by CarePartners: https://answersforelders.com/tag/carepartners-living/ Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alzheimer's and dementia expert Forrest Stepnowski joins Suzanne to talk about learning to communicate better with those who have dementia. Forrest is CarePartners Living's Executive Director of The Cottages at Renton, in Seattle. Forrest says, “One thing I try to teach caregivers I work with at CarePartners — and at the Cottages of Renton specifically, as well as family members, as well as people who come to us as community outreach — is when someone has dementia, you have to learn how to speak their language. You have to learn what is triggering them, especially if someone has a trauma history, which 80% of us out there do. And that can play a role to their paranoia, into their fears, into embarrassment, when they're needing help. All those things play a factor. I simply tell people, if they say it's 1945, it's 1945. I don't know what the story is about 1945, but whether positive or negative, find out. The sky is purple? The sky is purple. What's causing it to be purple? That's what we should be asking, not correcting." Forrest adds, "The thing about dementia is people need to realize is those behaviors happen because there is a gap in the brain, the brain will slowly deteriorating. It becomes a black hole. If you look at a PET scan, the wave of the brain becomes smaller, and smaller and smaller, and it starts exhibiting a black hole. There's no function in the brain after a while. When people have behaviors, they can't help it. It's their way of communicating. They're trying to get it out. You know, it's OK to hear those stories back then. You might actually learn something about your loved one that you didn't know before. You're like, uh did mom really meet President Hoover? From siblings, they're still alive from that generation, 'Oh, yeah, she did all that stuff like that,' and people truly find a side of their parents or their loved ones they didn't know it was there." Contact Forrest Stepnowski at The Cottages at Renton at (425) 528-7070. CarePartners has communities in Arizona and the state of Washington. Learn more: * The Cottages at Renton: https://www.carepartnersliving.com/cottages-of-renton/* CarePartners Senior Living: https://answersforelders.com/carepartners-senior-living/* CarePartners website: https://www.carepartnersliving.com/ Hear more:* Shows by CarePartners: https://answersforelders.com/tag/carepartners-living/ Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People who've been retired for a while say they wish they'd saved more of their money and invested it more. They also advise to keep investing in yourself, learning how to do your job better, which gives far better returns than anything you'll get from the investment markets. Retirement Watch CEO Bob Carlson provides Suzanne with action steps to improve you retirement planning. Financial wellness is one of the 8 foundational principles of wellness, part of the Vitality Revolution podcast series sponsored by Humana. Suzanne asked for some basic steps that anyone could take right now to prepare for their retirement. Bob answers, "Well, this is something where you don't need to take my advice. But instead, I looked to surveys of people who've been retired for a while and, and what they would have done differently and what advice they would give to younger people. And of course, the first one is they would have saved more, they would become saving earlier even if it was relatively small amounts and they just generally would have saved more of their income and invested it rather than spending it on things they enjoyed but didn't really last. “Invest in human capital, your human capital. Things that'll make you more valuable to an employer, or help you do your job better, or if you own a business, help you do that business better. It's an investment that has great returns, far better than anything you can get in the investment markets. Keep investing in yourself no matter what age you are.” Bob says, "I was writing a book on social security a couple of years ago, and ran into this woman at a dinner party. And she says, well, I hope you're gonna tell them to wait, because my husband and I, we took everything early: took social security, we took our pensions, and we went into our retirement funds early. And then he died, and so his social security went away, and his pension went away, and it was really a mistake. We enjoyed that money. It was great to have it when we were in our fifties and early sixties. But I'm struggling now and I hope you'll be telling people to wait." "A third thing is, consider the long term in your decisions. That's something that many retirees say they regret. They did things like take Social Security early, take their pensions early, not pay enough attention to Medicare and long term care. And there are options for that when they were younger, and they could have done things differently, could have qualified for different types of things, particularly long term care, where insurers are getting more and more stringent. And as you get older, the rejection rate for people applying for long term care insurance just gets higher and higher. So there are things like this that you need to focus on the long term when you're younger, and by younger, I mean, really in your fifties or sixties is when you're making a lot of these decisions. "Probably the most important thing is to save early and often. It's tempting to say you can afford to buy these new things that you really want. But think about your older self, when that fancy new TV or car or whatever is, is long discarded. Is your older self gonna be glad you bought it 20 years earlier, or is it gonna wish you'd put some of that money into a retirement fund and invested it, so you now have a multiple of what you put in rather than not having that money at all? So think about what you're gonna be like older, and plan on living longer than the average life expectancy, and realize how long that money is gonna need to last." Regarding Bob's Retirement Watch newsletter, "What I do is independent research on these issues. I'm not affiliated with any large financial firms. So when I'm advising on any of these retirement issues, it's just independent. So I'm going to tell you the facts on both sides. I'm going to tell you who should do one strategy and who shouldn't. And it's gonna be what's best for you. "Readers tell...