Aging Life Network

Forgetfullness… Trouble finding the right word… Why did I come into this room?,,, “Is this normal?” – a common question asked by seniors and often by those who love them. As we age, there are changes seniors experience that would be defined as a normal part of the aging process. What are those normal age-related changes? When should we be concerned that the changes we are experiencing, or noticing in our loved ones, are not normal? What is Mild Cognitive Impairment and how do I know if it’s dementia? Neurologist and geriatrician, Dr. Jan Knoefel will provide answers to these and other questions about the normal aging process and the signs and symptoms of a possible form of dementia. We will discuss some of the signs that there may be a problem and ways to seek help.

Family members are often the ones that oversee the care being provided to a loved one in their home. When an agency caregiver is brought in there is generally a care coordinator or supervisor that manages the schedule and periodically conducts periodic visits. Even in these instances there are actions you can take to insure that excellent care is being provided. If working with a privately hired caregiver, families have even more action they should consider doing to oversee and manage a loved one’s care. My guest, Life Care Manager Chris Dunlap, spent more than 20 years in the home health and home care arena in which the last seven years included direct oversight of home care staff. Today she works with families, assisting them with that oversight, as well as other medical matters. Chris Dunlap is both a nurse and a Life Care Manager. She is a wealth of information for anyone who is working with non-medical home care providers and she will join us to discuss how best to manage those caring for your loved ones in their home.

Reverse mortgages can offer seniors and those caring for a loved one the opportunity to remain in a home and age in place. Many dismiss the use of a reverse mortgage without a full understanding of the features, benefits and costs associated with this financing instrument. My guest, Millie Garcia, is a reverse mortgage expert. She and I will discuss those instances when a reverse mortgage may make sense for a senior who wants to remain in their home as they age but will need funds to do so. Some seniors use a reverse mortgage to supplement income. We will also discuss the costs and limits of a reverse mortgage; the ways in which it simply may not make sense. Join us and learn the pros and cons, the costs and variety of features for what may be a real option for you or your loved one.

Many family members and friends are named in the role of financial fiduciary under a Durable Power of Attorney, or as a Trustee or Conservator. While there are variations based on State specific laws, there are fundamental protocols and practices that those in these roles my guest and I would recommend people adhere to. My guest, John Attwood, has been working professionally in these capacities for almost two decades. He and I will discuss the day-to-day challenges faced when working with banks and investment companies, as well as practice standards and the responsibilities of a fiduciary. If you are currently acting in any of these roles or have been named to step into such a role in the future, you will want to join us.

For the last eleven years we have had 10,000 Americans each day turning age 65. This trend will continue for another 9 years. At the same time, the fastest growing segment of the population is over the age of 95. We are living longer but with chronic medical conditions. And those over age 85 are six times more likely to need help. At the same time, the number of children and family available to assist is shrinking. In response, a growing number of services have evolved to meet those increasing needs. Continuum of care refers to a comprehensive plan of care that adjusts to the needs of those cared for over a period of time. It addresses a variety of aspects, levels and intensity of care. It includes, but is not limited to, medical needs. From a services perspective, it refers to growing levels of care. With more than 22 years of experience in this fast growing industry of continuum of care services, my guest, Melissa Spiers, will join me to discuss the continuum of care options available to older adults. We will discuss what levels of care are available, the different type of care settings and what is typically provided.

One year ago this week, in March 2020, Americans began to fully understand that a deadly virus was among us. For my guest, it was the beginning of a year of being confronted with a Stage 3 Endometrial Cancer diagnosis and what she calls her year of healing. A cancer diagnosis leaves most of us rushing to learn as much as we can about our own diagnosis, brings us face-to-face with our own mortality, forces us to make difficult treatment decisions, and for many takes us on a spiritual journey. My friend and colleague, Chris Williams, joins me to talk about what she calls her healing story. She will share those things that supported her in her journey of the last 12 months. Her story has been an inspiration to all who know her and to the many women business owners that have continued to look to her for guidance and leadership with their own challenges. Her strength has been our strength. Her year of healing, during this most challenging year, has been extraordinary. One we can all learn from.

When older adults go into the hospital, their hospital stay is most often followed by a stay in a “rehab” facility – either a skilled nursing facility or an acute care facility – with the hope of returning to their home and former life. The plan is a short stay to “get stronger” so that you, the older adult, or your loved one can return home. For many seniors, however, the transfer from hospital to rehab results in a phenomenon in which one returns to the hospital, then back to rehab, sometimes only to again be sent back to the hospital and finally becoming a permanent resident of the rehab facility, which also happens to offer custodial care for long term stays. My guest and I will discuss this merry-go-round phenomenon and offer some solutions, both in terms of policy changes, but more importantly how you, or those you love can seek a different model of care termed Palliative Care.

Nationally recognized Special Needs Trust expert, financial planner, and disability rights advocate Peter Wall from True Link Financial will provide an overview of Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. ABLE accounts provide a fantastic planning tool and promote the independence of loved ones with disabilities. As parents of children with disabilities age, options for their loved one's success and future becomes crucial. Helping your loved one achieve their short and long-term goals as well as meet their needs is critical. While an ABLE account isn't a panacea, it is certainly a fantastic new option. Join me and Mr. Wall as we discuss all things ABLE as well as the basics of financial planning for a person with a disability and how to incorporate ABLE accounts into those plans.

Join me as I talk with one of my most lively guests! TracyB makes talking about Medicare a more enjoyable experience. When it comes to understanding all things Medicare, she is the person I turn to. She will share with us the 5 biggest Medicare mistakes people make. I guarantee you will gain a better understanding of this often confusing area of healthcare and meet the person you will want to call to help you determine the best course of action for you and your loved ones.

LGBT adults face many unique challenges as they age. They are generally an underserved and understudied aging population. Fear of discrimination contributes to poor health – with more than 20% reporting not having told health care providers of their sexual orientation. Social support consists of friends and partners of the same age, as most do not have children and are long estranged from families of origin. Fear of violence keeps many isolated in their homes and historical job losses have left many impoverished. The national Alzheimer’s Association has expressed concern about the growing numbers of LGBT seniors living alone with developing dementia. In recent years, local and national organizations have developed to address many of these challenges. Our show will highlight one such program and one such leader working to make a difference. Karen McPhail will discuss why this work is so necessary and how you, as an individual can either find the support you need or ways to help.

Our guest believes Solo Agers have unique needs in later life that warrant greater foresight and a more robust approach to planning. Older adults without children, particularly those single with no kids, need to take the time to plan for a successful retirement and aging experience. Consideration of housing options, legal matters and financial planning will be discussed and can be found in her 2018 book for what she terms Solo Agers. Named the “best book on aging well” by the Wall Street Journal my guest, Dr. Sara Zeff Geber has been speaking about solo aging for the last decade. She will join us and share her thoughts on what solo agers need to do now!

The death of a loved one requires the distribution of that person’s property, cash, retirement/investment accounts and real estate. In many instances having a personal representative, or executor, of the estate is necessary and working within the probate court is required. In some States, this can be an expensive and complex process, while in others relatively simple. My guest, Probate Judge Cristy Carbon-Gaul, will talk with us about those instances in which a probate is necessary and discuss ways to avoid it. She will also address such questions as; What if there is no will? What if the proposed executor is not appropriate? Why does it sometimes take so long? What does it mean when there is a pour-over will? How do you handle the personal property?....to name a few. A great show for those considering how they want their own estate handled and/or those named in an older loved ones estate planning documents.

Award winning author Heidi Herman’s latest book “On with the Butter: Spread More Living onto Everyday Life” provides a practical how-to guide for readers to follow to add vitality to their own lives. Many of the items offered are things that can be done in safe socially-distant ways and still provide mental and physical benefits. What makes Heidi’s book unique is her inspiration – in 2018, her 93-year old mother, Ieda, undertook a challenge to have 93 new experiences before her 94th birthday to prove you’re never too old for something new. After Heidi helped her Icelandic mom with that year’s adventure, they were working on turning the experience into a book when Ieda passed away. Heidi finished her mother’s photo journal of experiences but was inspired to go one step further and inspire others to live life with that same vitality. Heidi will join us to talk about her new book which is full of wonderful ideas and information on adventures that can add vitality to all of our lives.

Sharing your medical treatment and end of life wishes and with those you love, about what you want, or what your loved one wants, can be a difficult conversation to have. Most often we believe that because we have seen a lawyer and completed our Advance Directives that there is nothing more to do or say. Such is not the case, says our special guest this week, Joan Gibson. Joan and I will discuss the many “what if’s” that such legal documents don’t cover and why it’s important that all of us have these conversations with those we love. Joan is a pioneer in the world of health care decision-making. This conversation is a must for all of us, regardless of age. For a free download of the “Values History Form”, go to AgingLifeNetwork.com

The New Year is a time of goal setting, reflection and planning. We take great care to meet with our financial planner. We make sure our estate planning documents are in order. Life care planning for ourselves or our loved ones is not typically a type of planning we consider necessary…until a crisis occurs or the needs of our loved ones become painfully obvious. My guest and I will discuss those aspects of life care planning that will provide you as an aging adult, or those you care about the best chance of aging well. We will also talk about gathering the family – those interested in the future of an aging loved one – and holding a family meeting to develop or review the life care plan and determine how to implement the plan moving forward.

Seniors considering a move to a retirement community or families managing the care and finances for a loved one so often do not look beyond the option of selling the home that has been occupied for many years. The sale of a home brings with it tax consequences and the need to re-invest proceeds. This week we will be exploring keeping the home and using the home as an income producing asset that can supplement you or your loved ones cost of living or care needs. Concerned about the headache of managing a rental? Do not live nearby? I will be talking with a property management expert as well as a certified public accountant about the many benefits of considering this option. We will look at the tax consequences of selling now vs. setting up as a rental. We will also discuss the property management role, the team required and if hiring a property management group, how to find the best one to work with.

At a time when many, including the media, are speaking of the Covid-19 vaccine as offering Americans hope in ending the pandemic, I will interview a physician who is very concerned about the safety of the Pfizer vaccine. She is not alone in her concerns. In fact, recent surveys of health care workers indicate that nearly 50% would prefer to wait to take the vaccine and see how the vaccine affects others first. Whatever your opinion, Dr. Near will provide information about the vaccine that you will want to hear and understand. It is not simply anti-vaccers or anti-mask people in the 31% of the general population hesitant to take the vaccine. Learn more about the science as we discuss Dr. Near’s concerns.

First as a long-distance caregiver and later caring for her mother in her home, Sue learned quickly that being an advocate was an important part of her role as caregiver. After spending more than 10 years caring for both parents, she later learned of the many resources, she was unaware of, that were available to her. Sue shares her story as caregiver and advocate. She will also share information on the many resources she now shares with families as a Community Educator. Join us for a conversation about caregiving, advocacy and resources.