Answers For Elders Radio Show: Recent Episodes
Suzanne Newman
Coaching and assisting families in navigating the complicated world of aging and eldercare, with a comprehensive line-up of topics covering Health & Wellness, Life Changes, Living Options, and Money & Law.
Suzanne joins Tiana Jackson and Kelaiah Erickson talking about the new senior living and memory care community MorningStar at Laurelhurst that is opening spring 2023 in Portland, Oregon. This segment focuses on MorningStar's involvement in the local community and its commitment to make a positive impact on the world. Each community works with a local charity, and Laurelhurst works with a local senior center to host birthdays and other events there. They are also connected with an Alzheimer's Walk they do each year, do volunteer work with their local Lion's Club, and more.
MorningStar at Laurelhurst is located at 3140 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97232. To learn more, visit the community's website at or call (971) 248-7720. You can also hear more podcasts about MorningStar's Oregon communities.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tiana Jackson and Kelaiah Erickson join Suzanne to provide all sorts of information on MorningStar at Laurelhurst, a new senior living and memory care community opening spring 2023 in Portland, Oregon. This segment focuses on memory care. Tiana and Kelaiah discuss quality of care and Lavender Sky, their signature program that trains team members on how to properly approach a resident in memory care who has dementia or Alzheimer's.
MorningStar at Laurelhurst is located at 3140 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97232. To learn more, visit the community's website at or call (971) 248-7720. You can also hear more podcasts about MorningStar's Oregon communities.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tiana Jackson and Kelaiah Erickson join Suzanne to talk more about MorningStar at Laurelhurst in Portland, Oregon, a brand new senior living and memory care community opening in spring 2023. This segment focuses on assisted living. Tiana and Kelaiah describe what a typical day is like for residents, services available, and the types of daily activities that are available through their comprehensive life enrichment program.
MorningStar at Laurelhurst is located at 3140 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97232. To learn more, visit the community's website at or call (971) 248-7720. You can also hear more podcasts about MorningStar's Oregon communities.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tiana Jackson and Kelaiah Erickson join Suzanne to talk about the brand new senior living and memory care community MorningStar at Laurelhurst in Portland, Oregon, which will open in spring 2023. Tiana Jackson is Senior Executive Director for the Oregon communities. Kelaiah Erickson is Director of Community Relations at Laurelhurst. Tiana and Kelaiah provide an overview of community planning, and how Laurelhurst fits into the MorningStar culture and philosophy of growth and vitality through their Radiance program.
MorningStar at Laurelhurst is located at 3140 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97232. To learn more, visit the community's website at or call (971) 248-7720. You can also hear more podcasts about MorningStar's Oregon communities.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brittany Fleshman, VP of Culture and Program Development at MorningStar Senior Living, joins Suzanne from the corporate office in Colorado to talk more about MorningStar's guiding principles. The three principles are to honor God in their business practices and relationships, to invest generously in the team's ability to serve well, and to value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals. What that means, in terms of daily practice, is doing the right thing, treating people how they themselves want to be treated. That's service at its finest. Residents have so much to give. Truly listening to their residents gives them dignity and peace.
Learn more about MorningStar, their culture, and find more of their podcasts here and here.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There are a lot of senior living programs out there, but it's important to understand that they're not all the same. Some of them stand for something, and during this hour Brittany Fleshman, VP of Culture and Program Development at MorningStar Senior Living, joins Suzanne from the corporate office in Colorado to talk about what sets MorningStar apart, with the principles and values of their organization. But they don't stop there. This segment focuses on local outreach, communities giving back to their own local communities. All of their communities are asked to get involved with a local charity of their choice. The home office in Colorado, for instance, helps with the Denver Children's Home. Giving back locally is very important to them.
Learn more about MorningStar, their culture, and find more of their podcasts here and here.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brittany Fleshman, VP of Culture and Program Development at MorningStar Senior Living, joins Suzanne from the corporate office in Colorado to talk about MorningStar's residents. The Radiance program communicates trust in numerous ways. When they have families come in, they sit down with them and start from ground zero, answering what is assisted living, what is independent living or memory care, what's dementia, and then learning the ins and outs of their loved ones. They talk all aspects, what they're going to expect, what they're experiencing right now, in making what we do for their loved ones very specific and real, to meet their needs and wants.
Learn more about MorningStar, their culture, and find more of their podcasts here and here.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brittany Fleshman, VP of Culture and Program Development at MorningStar Senior Living, joins Suzanne from the corporate office in Colorado to talk about the company's foundational vision and mission. Their core values of love, honesty, kindness, goodness, fairness, and respect show up in everything they do, from new hire paperwork, to when residents move in, to their Radiance program, their customer service hospitality initiative. Their three principles are to honor God in their business practices and relationships, to invest generously in the team's ability to serve well, and to value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals.
Learn more about MorningStar, their culture, and find more of their podcasts here and here.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to talk about setting up your estate plan and the people needed to complete various documents, such as powers of attorney, wills, living wills, revocable trusts, and irrevocable third-party trusts. This segment covers setting up irrevocable third-party trusts.
Irrevocable Third-Party Trust for disabled person
- Grantors are initial trustees
- Successor trustee
Successor trustee approaches
First approach
- Trustee: Person who will look out for disabled beneficiary but will not cave in to unreasonable demands for money from trust and will not resent having to deal with beneficiary
Second approach
- Trustee: Bank or trust company or trusted family member
- Distribution Committee (to make decisions on when to pay out for benefit of beneficiary, taking pressure off the trustee)
- Special needs attorney
- Social worker
- Family member(s) (maybe)
HIPAA Release
(Gives access to health information. Doesn't grand decision-making authority.)
- Include everyone who is named in Health Care Power of Attorney
- Include any other family members or friends who are likely to help look after you if you need care (long-term or otherwise)
Listen in to hear details and explanations. Learn more about Jim Koewler at Answer for Elders or at his website, and look here to see a list of all of Jim's podcasts.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to talk about setting up your estate plan and the people needed to complete various documents, such as powers of attorney, wills, living wills, revocable trusts, and irrevocable third-party trusts. This segment covers revocable trusts.
Revocable Trust
- Initial Trustee: Grantors (the people setting up the trust in the first place)
- Successor Trustee (after initial trustees both diseased or physically/mentally unable to continue as trustee): Person who gets stuff done, meets deadlines, and doesn't buckle under pressure (just like backup executor for Will)
Listen in to hear details and explanations. Learn more about Jim Koewler at Answer for Elders or at his website, and look here to see a list of all of Jim's podcasts.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to talk about setting up your estate plan and the people needed to complete various documents, such as powers of attorney, wills, living wills, revocable trusts, and irrevocable third-party trusts. This segment covers wills.
Living Will
- Person to receive phone call (that Principal seems to have suffered traumatic brain damage): Probably spouse
- First alternate person to receive phone call: Person most likely to take in Principal (person signing the Living Will) if Principal needs long-term care (same for Powers of Attorney)
- Second successor agent: Person second-most likely to take in Principal if Principal needs long-term care
- Etc.
(Note: The person listed on Living Will to receive the phone call doesn't have any "power," but many families don't know that. So, to avoid "power struggles" among family members, it is prudent to list the same people in the Living Will as are named in the Powers of Attorney.)
Will
- Executor: Spouse first
- Backup Executor (if spouse not able): Person who gets stuff done, meets deadlines, and doesn't buckle under pressure from other heirs
Listen in to hear details and explanations. Learn more about Jim Koewler at Answer for Elders or at his website, and look here to see a list of all of Jim's podcasts.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to talk about setting up your estate plan and the people needed to complete various documents, such as powers of attorney, wills, living wills, revocable trusts, and irrevocable third-party trusts. This segment covers Powers of Attorney.
- Agent: Probably spouse (unless spouse cracks under pressure of making decisions for others)
- First successor agent: Person most likely to take in Principal (person signing the POA) if Principal needs long-term care)
- Second successor agent: Person second-most likely to take in Principal if Principal needs long-term care)
- Etc.
Jim suggests naming the same agents and successor agents in both the General and Health Care Powers of Attorney so that, should you ever need long-term care, the person providing care also has the ability to hire help and to pay for it.
Listen in to hear details and explanations. Learn more about Jim Koewler at Answer for Elders or at his website, and look here to see a list of all of Jim's podcasts.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kelley Smith from CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne to add insights and advice to the fifth and sixth of Teepa Snow's six tips for making holidays successful for those who have Alzheimer's and dementia, providing advice and insight.
Tip 5: Accept General Comments. Kelley says, "If mom and dad have some memory issues, help them. Teepa gives an example, if you're Jewish, of setting the menorah on the mantle, but she says Mom might not understand the word menorah. So maybe what you do is, you pick up the menorah. 'Mom, would you like me to put this over here?' and show her as you're doing it. Mom, do you like the green lights of the white lights? Maybe you show her the lights. A lot of times with dementia, the detail is what becomes missing. Grandpa might not be able to describe things specifically, like when you're helping him get his dinner plate together. Sometimes it's very general. They might say, I want the bird. I don't want that yellow stuff. Show Dad the cranberries, this cranberry sauce. 'Dad, do you like this, you used to like this.' And don't make him describe it to you until he wants it, help him. And that's kind of what she's getting at with that. Keep it simple."
Tip 6: Give Room For a Getaway. Kelley clarifies, "I'm a grown up. I can go get in my car and I can drive away, and I can go get away from everybody if I need you. If I have dementia, I can't do that. So if you're gonna have mom or dad over, do you have a room that has a bed, that's on the first floor, easy to get to, that's a quiet space, if they are overwhelmed and they just need to get away from everybody? They're not ready to go home yet, but just need a break. Do you have a quiet spot where they can just go reconnect for a minute? Take a nap, be able to put your feet up for a minute. Sometimes that's all they need, a little bit of quiet time, and they can come back and join the rest of the family recharged again."
Suzanne adds, "Make it a kid-free zone, too. Let the kids know, grandpa's just gonna go be quiet for a few minutes. Leave him alone for a little bit. Give them that opportunity to recharge. There are many of us in this world who need that, and don't have dementia yet. Now put somebody who's having a hard time keeping up with the conversations, who can't describe how good dinner was because they can't find their words, and that's exhausting. Think about how tired they are, you know. So I love that advice, give them some space."
As an alternative to having everybody together in one big event, spread out the holiday. Kelley says, "It depends on where they're at with their dementia journey. Depending on the type of work that you do, many people are off this week. If you have that kind of time, why cram everything into one day? They're not gonna remember half of it if you do that anyway. You can have dinner at your house and have lunch with mom a day later. If taking her out is too much for her, there are other things you can do. If you've got family coming in from out of town that they'd like to see, if they live in assistant living, call the community, check visiting stuff, see if they've got anything going on — some of them have holiday dinners that you can sign up for. Lots of places like ours, we even have private dining rooms. You could come in, and bring the kids from out of town to come see mom, and spend an hour or two. Or on Christmas morning, have family show up at different times at the senior living community, bring them some goodies."
Learn more about CarePartners Senior Living at their website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kelley Smith from CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne to add insights and advice to the third and fourth of Teepa Snow's six tips for making holidays successful for those who have Alzheimer's and dementia, providing advice and insight.
Tip 3: Be Ready to Hear the Same Story Multiple Times. Kelley says, "This is also a good way to connect with mom and dad. What if, while dad was telling your story about his fishing trip to Alaska – you've heard it nine times – ask who went with you. Who went? How long have you known Bobby? Didn't you guys grow up together? You can steer the story, to see what else do they remember? One of these days you're not gonna hear that story any more. For your grandkids, what about taking the opportunity to record some of these stories over the holidays? These are things that I look back on, things I wish I had of my grandparents."
Tip 4. Avoid Direct Corrections. Kelley says, "This is one of my favorites. What Teepa says is, corrections don't make you feel good about yourself. I'll tell you something, I've been embarrassed in the past by well-meaning people who correct you, and the first thing I always jumped to is, I don't remember you being my mother, and I'm not five, right? A person living with dementia, their brain doesn't fire the same way. You have dementia and you don't really even understand first of all what was said, but now, coming at you is this correction, it's it's a little demeaning in a way. I've always been a big fan of 'follow them where they're going.'
"They're doing the best they can with the memories that they've got. They're not liars, they're not trying to set you up, but just telling a story, and they might not get all the details right. Is it important? No, so pick your battles. Not every story is going to be 100% accurate, not every every memory is going to be 100%, and that's okay. You have to give yourself a little grace too. You're not going to be perfect. Let it go. It's not life for death."
In the next segment, Kelley and Suzanne talk about the fifth and sixth tips. Learn more about CarePartners Senior Living at their website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kelley Smith from CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne to share Teepa Snow's six tips for making holidays successful for those who have Alzheimer's and dementia, providing advice and insight.
Tip 1: Smaller, Simpler, Shorter. Kelley says, "I've always said I'd rather break bread with friends than eat wagyu with strangers. It's not about the meal, it's about the company. The best times in my life were spent just with the people, I don't remember the food. Do you want to build memories for the grandkids about grandma and grandpa being there, or are you more worried about that turkey being absolutely perfect? And that's your focus, and now you're mean and hateful of the party because you didn't get a chance to also sit and enjoy your family while they were there? I've gone to things before were I never saw the host, almost the whole night, because they were in there cooking."
Suzanne relates, "When I was caring for my mom, even though I was a burned out caregiver, and working a full time job on top of it, I knew the holidays were important to my mother, so I bent over backwards to give her a wonderful Christmas celebration. And that included taking her to the Swedish Club so that she could have lutefisk. That included making sure that she got to all these places. And I know she was worn out. I think I just put way too much stress on myself and upon her. Ask for help – you don't have to do it all. Maybe what you do is have a pot luck when you bring the family together. You can downsize things, you don't have to decorate the entire house. Maybe you do a nice tree, and maybe you do some flowers and candles on the table, and that's enough. You don't have to go overboard."
Tip 2: Use Retained Abilities. Kelley explains, "Remember, mom and dad haven't forgotten everything. We have residents that couldn't tell you their name, but they know how to fold socks. They still know how to help set the table. There's some things that are like what we call 'muscle memory', that we just know how to do. It's amazing. My grandfather could probably tear a car apart, but he couldn't tell me what he had for breakfast. But what I'm getting at is, while mom and dad are there, instead of just putting them in a chair by the window, give them something to do that is a retained ability. If they can still sit with the kids and put puzzles together, let them do that. If they want to help set the table, let them help. Part of dementia is feeling like you no longer fit in and you're no longer needed. That's another big thing that people with dementia deal with. So, if mom and dad are at the house, and you could use a little help, I guarantee they'd be happy to do it. Those retained abilities also make them feel successful, like they got to help too. They say there's greater joy in giving than there is in receiving. Well, that also means in the way we treat people, and sometimes it's a good thing to let someone else feel good about trying to be part of the family."
In the next segment, Kelley and Suzanne talk about the third and fourth tips. Learn more about CarePartners Senior Living at their website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kelley Smith from CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne to share Teepa Snow's six tips for making holidays successful for those who have Alzheimer's and dementia. As many of you are driving to family locations, maybe listening in the car, you may be wanting to know how to deal with a loved one who has dementia. You don't necessarily know what to expect, and there's a lot of questions about how do we deal with dad, mom, aunt, uncle, and include them in the family gathering.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than six million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer's disease, and that is expected to grow to 14 million people by the year 2060. About 11% of those over 65 have some sort of dementia or Alzheimer's. The majority are at least 75 years old. It progresses and gets more evident as you get older. Oftentimes we may not necessarily know how to communicate, how to best serve them, how to feel comfortable in a dialogue.
Kelley Smith explains, "A lot of it stems around education. We sometimes have higher expectations than we should. I think people also get frustrated, because when mom does have those moments of clarity, we think she's okay again. It doesn't always quite work like that. People get frustrated with the same story 600 times, but that's also part of the disease. They can't remember if they told you this or not, or who they told. As the communication declines for their loved one, a lot of times, it's how do you keep up? What do you do? And that that's where people feel lost, not so much the frustration, but, what do we do now?"
Kelley offers a few tips of her own to prepare for the holidays. "There's a ton of different things we could talk about, but I think that the easiest thing is, first of all, don't be afraid to ask questions. If mom and dad are in a community, feel free to talk to those folks, and find out what are some activities maybe they're doing in the community that might be better for mom. Ask for advice, call the Alzheimer's Association. They have resources, ask questions.
"What is your plan, and then how do we execute that? What are the key things logistically of bringing mom or dad or an aunt or uncle into your home: Can they get up the stairs? Are they in a wheelchair? Can they get to the bathroom? Not only that, but has their dementia gotten to a point where maybe they're gonna need some some help eating? Everybody's circumstances are different, everybody's journey with dementia is different. There are many things to take into consideration. You bring them into your home, and it's all decorated for Christmas, and you've got bright lights and pokey, shiny, crazy, lots of stuff going on, loud Christmas music playing. That might not necessarily be the best environment for them."
In the next segment, Kelley and Suzanne provide insight and advice with the six tips for making holidays successful for those who have Alzheimer's and dementia. Learn more about CarePartners Senior Living at their website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does a family do when faced with having to pay for a senior loved one to move into a senior care community? In this segment, Emily Schwarz with ElderLife Financial joins Suzanne to share some success stories and various examples of ways that ElderLife has helped families, courtesy of MorningStar Senior Living.
Emily says, "we recently had a family down in Florida that was looking for a bridge loan while their home was selling. So Mary had a $131,000 home to list and they needed to move into the community immediately. They reached out to the ElderLife Financial concierge, and within three days we were able to fund a bridge loan. They needed $5,000 a month for rent and care, and so we estimated that it would probably take about six months for that home to sell. Now, the great part about this is they listed their home for $131,000 and they actually received $146,000 for that home when it sold. How did that happen? Because they were able to fix up that home. I know we talked a lot about home repairs, and staging them, and having mom and dad out of the home. They ultimately got $15,000 more by utilizing our bridge loan. They were able to get top dollar, even in this tough real estate market, because the house was staged and in its tip-top shape, all repairs done. So I would think that's the one of the best case scenarios. That's what we see a lot, where families actually earn more for their home than they thought they would.
"One thing people don't realize that we help with is existing residents. So if you are already living in senior living, or your mom's already living in senior living, and you never knew that ElderLife Financial existed, and you're struggling to pay that rent bill every month, because your home hasn't sold as fast as you thought, or your VA benefit is dragging along, you can contact ElderLife and we even provide bridge loans for existing residents. So before you start thinking about moving mom and dad out of the community, have a conversation with us. We also clear up arrearages. I just had a family in that situation. We've provided $25,000 to their community because they were in arrears. The next month, their house sold. They were able to pay it off, but they didn't have to be evicted. They were able to stay while they waited for that home to close."
Listen to hear more examples of ways ElderLife Financial can help. Call their financial concierge family line at 888-228-4500 or visit ElderLife Financial's website. Courtesy of MorningStar Senior Living.
Lead image © Can Stock Photo / Feverpitched
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There are many financial resources for families that they may not know about. And Emily, I'm very interested in you touched on it earlier, but I would say probably 80% of people that have aging parents have no idea about what's called Aid and Attendance benefits or VA benefits. Their loved one may qualify for a benefit from the military based on certain criteria. Emily Schwarz, VP of Sales for ElderLife Financial, is also the President of AidInAttendance.com. Emily joins Suzanne to tell us a little bit about Aid and Attendance benefits and how to qualify for them, courtesy of MorningStar Senior Living.
Emily talks about the four criteria to qualify, and for spouses to qualify, and also provides ways to find out when your senior loved one served in the military if you aren't sure of the dates. "There are actually more spouses on this benefit than veterans, because more spouses are living into their 90s. A spouse is eligible based on her wartime husband's service. She always applies on the most recent husband, so if she was married to a wartime veteran who passes, and she remarries a non wartime veteran, then she is likely no longer eligible. You're not going to be eligible if divorced from a veteran — you need to be married to that wartime veteran at the time of death. Maybe you've never gotten a benefit from the VA before, but your husband's service left you this wonderful benefit."
Listen to hear all about qualifying. For more information, call ElderLife Financial at 888-228-4500, and if you want to explore VA benefits, just let the financial concierge know that. Also visit ElderLife Financial's website. Courtesy of MorningStar Senior Living.
Lead image © Can Stock Photo / photography33
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does a family do when faced with having to pay for a senior loved one to move into a senior care community? Emily Schwarz with ElderLife Financial joins Suzanne to talk more about solving this financial conundrum, courtesy of MorningStar Senior Living.
Emily says, “The last two years, we've been seeing homes fly off the market, so it was very easy for someone to decide they're moving into senior living, put their house on the market, and 30 days later they have the money. Now, this year has had the lowest number of new mortgage applications in 22 years. We all know interest rates are going up, so people that were trying to buy a home or thinking of buying their home have less buying power. So many of them are afraid to move out of that rental into a home purchase, and therefore seniors that are selling that home aren't able to sell it as quickly as they thought. And so we're trying to help families through that process, because when they need the care, they really need to be moving into the community.
"ElderLife has the perfect solution for that, and we've been doing this since 2000. We've been helping families understand how to get funding to pay for their care. But it's even more important than for a long time in the recent past. So what we do is we offer a family an ElderLife Bridge loan, and what that Bridge loan will do is provide them funding to move into their community while their home is listed for sale. In fact, we can even provide the funds before it's listed. We know that, many times the children need to move mom and dad out of the home in order to get it ready for sale. We want them to get that top dollar, getting $10- or $50- or $100,000 more, because it's an empty home. Maybe a staged home, a re-painted, new-carpet home."
Hear much more on today's podcast. For further information, call the concierge family line at 888-228-4500 or visit ElderLife Financial's website. Courtesy of MorningStar Senior Living.
Lead image © Can Stock Photo / monkeybusiness
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does a family do when faced with having to pay for a senior loved one to move into a senior care community? Emily Schwarz with ElderLife Financial joins Suzanne to talk about solving this financial conundrum, courtesy of MorningStar Senior Living.
"A family might have a home to sell, maybe they're eligible for VA benefits, maybe they have a long-term-care insurance policy. They have ways to pay for the community of their choice, but they don't have the funds available today. What ElderLife does, when a family contacts us, is provide a free consultation and review everything that might be available to that senior, kind of like a financial aid office at a college or university, and will help them with resources to pay for the community that they want and need.
"ElderLife Financial is a one-stop shop to help families understand their financial resources to pay for senior living. They speak with a financial concierge who will work with them from start to finish. And they go through a whole menu of things that a family could use to pay for their community. Selling a home, VA benefits, taking the maximum advantage of their long-term-care insurance policy. Maybe it's a reverse mortgage of one part of the couple's remaining at home, selling a life insurance policy, if they're gonna lapse it. And we also educate about tax deductions, and personal loans. So there are ways to pay for senior living that maybe the family's never thought of.
"We help them with a loan that helps bridge the gap from the time the senior needs the care to the time the senior can afford the care. The Outer Life Bridge loan will actually allow the family to include moving expenses, perform home repairs, staging, whatever you need. We can provide those funds directly to family, and then we can also add in the initial senior living community fee. All of that can get rolled into the bridge loan, and then you don't have to ask a family member for that loan. When the home sells, you use the proceeds to pay off the loan, without having all those difficult family conversations."
Suzanne describes the situation she had faced with her mom, who had to sell her house to pay for senior care, and having to go to a family member for a personal loan on her behalf to pay to get the house ready to sell, which was paid back from the proceeds of the house sale. Emily explains, "In your family situation, what we could have done is, we would have talked with your mom and we would have talked with you, and we would have established a line of credit for that, essentially a life bridge loan. We would have provided the money that she needed for however long it took to sell the home. We could provide the money that she needed to pay for the community, to bridge the gap between her social security and the cost of the community."
Hear much more on today's podcast. For further information, call their financial concierge family line at 888-228-4500 or visit ElderLife Financial's website. Courtesy of MorningStar Senior Living.
Lead image © Can Stock Photo / dolgachov
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joining Suzanne this hour is Lianna Marie, founder of AllAboutParkinsons.com, who has written a new book called "The Parkinson's Path." In this segment, Lianna talks about adjusting our personal expectations around the holidays, which she learned from 30 years living with her Mom through Parkinson's.
Lianna says, "We create this massive set of expectations for holidays, then we're wondering why we're so let down. How about we just change that narrative and say, 'Okay, just look my mom, what are her favorite things?' Those things were not things, they were people. Surround Mom with her family. Her grandkids, for example, were her therapy. We put them around her, and she was happy as a clam. We didn't really need a heck of a lot else. Okay, maybe some turkey and some sweets. She loved the desserts. But there wasn't really a heck of a lot else that we needed to do in terms of making it a happy time for her.
"I was the one that was complicating things a lot. She wasn't, she was just there living with Parkinson's, and as the dementia set in more and more, we had to bring the holiday spirit to the long-term care home. We had to bring the music there. We set things up there. My aunt put on dance time at the long-term care home. She would organize these kinds of things, like Christmas music on the piano. She would come in and play piano and bring the music to the people. When I felt that I was so alone, I had to remember that A) I wasn't, that that was just my imagination, that my family was all there, and B) I needed to dial down those expectations of what Christmas once was, that we can still get the essence of what made it so special.
"it really did make us slow down and put into perspective what's most important, and that can be applicable to anyone, really. Christmas time, and Thanksgiving, are times when you look at where you are in life, what's most important, and oftentimes that's family or friends. For my mom, at least, those were the most important things to her."
Lianna's book "The Complete Guide for People With Parkinson’s Disease and Their Loved Ones" was written for people who may be newly diagnosed or someone that knows someone who's newly diagnosed. The caregiving book, "Everything You Need to Know About Caregiving for Parkinson’s Disease," is for people who are caring. Her upcoming book, "The Parkinson's Path," should be available in early 2023. Her books are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold. Hear more of Lianna's podcasts at Answers for Elders, and visit her website or AllAboutParkinsons.com to learn more.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joining Suzanne this hour is Lianna Marie, founder of AllAboutParkinsons.com, who has written a new book called "The Parkinson's Path." In this segment, Lianna provides some Parkinson's caregiver advice, talks more about what she could have done different, and what she learned from her 30 years living with her Mom through Parkinson's.
Lianna says, “In my mom's case, she was in her 40s, so obviously it was a lot younger, and she was going to have a longer journey with Parkinson's. So a lot of this depends on the overall length of time that one might be living with Parkinson's. But for me, I really got to see and be a part of this slow, progressing, chronic illness, and one where I evolved from cheerleader to care partnering, which I think is a great term that we use nowadays, because you're the partner not necessarily hands-on caregiving, and then caregiving later, where I was doing some of that nitty gritty stuff, if you will, helping with those daily tasks and things that my mom needed, and then ultimately handing some of that off to professionals who care for Mom in long-term care. I spent a lot of my time advocating for my mom, and really just trying to get the people that were "in charge of her care" to take the best care of my mom, teach them a little bit about Parkinson's, because even though we know a lot more about it these days – in the healthcare profession there's a lot that's missing. I spent a lot of time teaching – if you will, for lack of better word – staff on best ways to make my mom's life easier.”
As the family member who was her mom's power of attorney, Lianna describes how that worked with her siblings, and whether she ever got burned out. “In my case, I have three siblings, and my mom had remarried. I like to call myself a project manager, where I was like, 'Okay, so here's what Lianna is gonna do. Could sister one do this, could brother one do this?' And it works well when everybody's on the same page. Back then we would have Skype calls with my siblings, with me explaining what I think mom needs, and what do you guys think about that? I was fortunate because my siblings and I pretty much were agreeing. From time to time, I'd get pushed back, 'Lianna, that's way too ridiculous. Mom does not need that' My mom had appointed me power of attorney of her care. So I felt like I had this duty to make sure I gave her the best possible outcomes, that's my job – I mean, it's on paper – so I maybe sometimes took that a little too seriously. It's helpful to talk things over and then also for me to see things from their perspective. I did have an implosion, if you will. One or two siblings may have accused me of holding on too tightly to Mom when she was getting far along into dementia. Just keeping her alive is not important if she isn't having some joy or something positive. It's so much easier now for me to talk about it, but at the time, you're letting go of your loved one, your mom."
Lianna has also written "The Complete Guide for People With Parkinson’s Disease and Their Loved Ones," "Everything You Need to Know About Parkinson’s Disease," and "Everything You Need to Know About Caregiving for Parkinson’s Disease." Her books are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold. The new book "The Parkinson's Path" will be available in early 2023. Hear more of Lianna's podcasts at Answers for Elders, and visit her website or AllAboutParkinsons.com to learn more.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joining Suzanne this hour is Lianna Marie, founder of AllAboutParkinsons.com, who has written a new book called "The Parkinson's Path."
Asked what it was like when she first heard her mom had been diagnosed, Lianna says, "I was in my mid teens at the time, and I had not noticed anything "wrong" with my mom, so when she told us she had Parkinson's disease, it was an absolute, complete shock. As a daughter, I was just not sure what that meant. It was I guess good timing, if you want to say that, that Michael J. Fox had also been diagnosed at that time, so there could have been a little bit of comfort in knowing that there's somebody recognizable who has this, and he looks all right – again, this is a 16-year-old. And honestly, we went pretty quickly from shocked — at least I went from shocked — to 'we don't have time for Parkinson's.' I remember my mom saying that. Diseases don't choose the time that they show up. My mom was in the middle of a really messy divorce with my dad. 'I have this stuff over here, so Parkinson's, you're gonna have to move over there.' That eventually turned into me helping her get some practical information about the disease."
"It was my, if you will, 'job.' Quickly I took on the role of cheerleader: 'All right, Mom, we're in this together, we're gonna do this Parkinson's thing.' I was an athlete, and so I looked at it from a coaching perspective, and in my early 20s and then in mid 20s, that's sort of how I looked at it. 'Okay, let's get her hydrated,' – which actually is really important in Parkinson's – but it was to take care of these practical aspects of her disease that I can help her control. Cheerleading is really important. Being the optimist, helping them look at the bigger picture."
"We did the best with what we had at the time, with the information that we had at the time. You've gotta trust that you did the best you could. I wish I had learned more about – or someone had taught us about – the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's, because mostly we thought it was the tremor, the speech, various things that everybody knows now are related to Parkinson's. But no one told us that anxiety, depression, and apathy were parts of this disease."
Lianna has also written "The Complete Guide for People With Parkinson’s Disease and Their Loved Ones," "Everything You Need to Know About Parkinson’s Disease," and "Everything You Need to Know About Caregiving for Parkinson’s Disease." Her books are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold. Hear more of Lianna's podcasts at Answers for Elders, and visit her website or AllAboutParkinsons.com to learn more.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lianna Marie is the founder of AllAboutParkinsons.com and has just written a new book, "The Parkinson's Path." Parkinson's may be a snowflake illness — unique for everyone — but the emotional journey that people go on when they're living with a chronic illness like Parkinson's has many commonalities. People share the same frustrations, sadness, and loss. Reflecting on her 30 years living with her Mom through Parkinson's, in the book Lianna presents the 30 most common emotions that they went through together, how they worked through them, and what they did about them. She then offers some practical ways to get through each of the challenges.
Lianna says, "It wasn't just all bad stuff. Some things happened that — quite honestly I hate using the word joyful because people might think that's odd to say in relationship to a chronic illness — but there were a lot of moments of joy that we experienced throughout Mom's illness. And, really, what are our options? You get diagnosed with Parkinson's, are you're going to give up? No. One of my favorite quotes is from someone with Parkinson's who said, and I think everyone has probably heard this before, but "Parkinson's is not the end of your life, it's the beginning of a new one." So that's what "The Parkinson's Path" is all about."
Lianna has also written "The Complete Guide for People With Parkinson’s Disease and Their Loved Ones," "Everything You Need to Know About Parkinson’s Disease," and "Everything You Need to Know About Caregiving for Parkinson’s Disease." Her books are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold. Hear more of Lianna's podcasts at Answers for Elders, and visit her website or AllAboutParkinsons.com to learn more.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne is joined by Rebecca Bomann, CEO and founder of SASH Services (Sell a Senior Home), to talk about how to best facilitate a home sale with a loved one who is there with Alzheimer's or dementia. Previous segments have talked about the journey leading up to mom or dad leaving, not trying to pack up the home while they're still living there, finding a good place for them to move, and having the legal paperwork in order, as well as surrounding yourself with experienced professionals.
Rebecca says now it's time for you as the caregiver to delegate the home sale. “The important thing is not to bite off more than you can chew as far as getting the home ready for market. Your first and most important job, that really no one else can do as well as you, is being that power of attorney and caregiver for your loved one. Other people can work on the house, and you don't necessarily have to have the house be like HGTV in order to sell it. If it's clean, if it's empty, if there's not major repairs to be done, it's okay if you have pink tile in the bathroom, it's okay if you have avocado counters in the kitchen, it's okay if you have a shag rug in the family room. The house will still sell. Save your energy and strength, because you need it for the long haul of being the caregiver and power of attorney.
“We love saying to the family, we've got the house sale. We'll take it from here. So we come in, and we bring in experienced professional downsizers who can sort through all of the things in the home, set aside those sentimental things like photos, and letters, and photo albums, and yearbooks, and wedding dresses, itemize the things that can be monetized to help pay for mom or dad's care, and empty out the home. Then, we're a licensed general contractor, so we can come in and do some light updates, or repairs, or a big renovation to help the home sell for top value. Once again, we're not doing this with the help of the son or daughter. We don't want them to have to take that on — we're doing this for them. They can be in another state, another country — they've delegated this to us.
“Because SASH was designed to be a service that specifically takes care of the needs of seniors and their families, we started providing cash advances over a decade ago. And so we give the family a cash advance on the future net proceeds of mom or dad's home sale, sometimes $10,000, $45,000, up to $75,000, and even more. It doesn't require any credit check. We arrange for it, so it's not coming up on anyone's credit, and we want to provide that solution so they can just focus on their role as caregiver for mom or dad, and then hand the home sale over to us. So I always say, build a team of professionals around you who know what they're doing.
“Moving is a huge mental and emotional adjustment for your loved one, and you're best served being there for them, not to be out painting walls. One of the things that I always tell caregivers is, “Sometimes you just have to sit down and breathe, take care of yourself,”
Learn more at SASH Services or call 888-400-7274. Also check out SASH's resources at AFE's website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne is joined by Rebecca Bomann, CEO and founder of SASH Services (Sell a Senior Home), to talk about how to best facilitate a home sale with a loved one who is there with Alzheimer's or dementia.
Rebecca says,“Don't start packing up the house and putting things in boxes while mom or dad is still living there. Give them the comfort of the familiarity of their own home the way they've always loved it. Avoid having them sitting with confusion, disorientation, and anxiety. Over and over again, they'll have trauma and shock: what is happening to my home? Let it remain the safe, comfortable, and familiar place.”
Rebecca shares stories from a good move and a bad move. “We just were assisting a family. Mom has early onset Alzheimer's, and they found a place for her that is run by caregivers who actually speak her language. English isn't her first language. They're serving food that she grew up with, and they even speak the same dialect of the same language. Her family took a lot of care, they interviewed, they toured, they took their time. They were looking at a lot of different places, and they found a place where it is comfortable for mom. That was a well-done placement.
“We are also helping another family where mom has dementia. The power of attorney went to a place, but didn't vet it properly. Mom wasn't examined properly. A lot of quick decisions were made. It was just assisted living. Her first night there, she walked out the front door and walked ten blocks by herself before she was finally found and picked up. It could have been disastrous, and the family had to hurry up and find the right kind of place for her. It was a second move, really disruptive, and traumatic for Mom.”
“Work instead on finding that new place for mom and dad, and the placement of where to find that place for mom and dad to live is so important. You want to really take the time to do that well. Find the right place for them to move into, and then bring those familiar things over, and decorate their new place with it. Let their familiar surroundings follow them. Bring the photos, and the favorite quilt, and the favorite armchair, and the American flag that sits over there, their entertainment center, and get all of that set up.
“I even had one client whose furniture was covered with gray tape. She was so frugal that she gray-taped her furniture. And when I moved her, she brought all of her gray-taped furniture with her. That was what was most familiar, and I wasn't going to object. So let them bring the things that are familiar, and worn, and loved, and comforting, and really take the time to make sure the placement is appropriate for their care needs and their financial needs.”
Learn more at SASH Services or call 888-400-7274. Also check out SASH's resources at AFE's website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne is joined by Rebecca Bomann, CEO and founder of SASH Services, to provide encouragement, guidance, and tips for families selling the senior home of a loved one.
First: get your legal paperwork in order. Rebecca says, “We can't emphasize it enough. People do not want to have these conversations, because it means that there's gonna come a time when you're very competent, bright, active, athletic, very sharp mom or dad can't make decisions for themselves anymore. Nobody wants to imagine that possibility. But when families don't get those documents in place, then they get caught in crises where somebody needs to be making the decisions and no one has the authority to do so.
“I'm working with a family right now where the son lives out of state. Mom was declining, he had her power of attorney ready, he sent it to me in an email. We got it recorded with the county. He was able to sign papers for his mom two days later to get her house sold. There was no scramble, there was no stress, and we were able to begin and get funds in for her care immediately. Contrast that with another client I took care of this year, where there wasn't a power of attorney. His wife is on the house's title, but she never signed a power of attorney over to her husband, and now had dementia. He couldn't sell his home because no one could sign for her, and he had to go through three months of a legal conservatorship through the court just to sell his own home. So, that's the difference between having those papers prepared and not.”
Second: “If mom or Dad are going to be in the home while the house is getting ready for sale, choose professionals to come in and help your family through this journey who are experienced and understand the delicacy of talking to someone who has advancing dementia or Alzheimer's. You don't want someone just barreling in, just because they have a real estate license, and talking about things that are going to cause anxiety and send the person with dementia into a disorientation, into an emotional tailspin, confusing them. This needs a very delicate touch, and it requires experience, empathy, and knowing how to navigate around those big decisions while mom or dad are there, and how to take the important things out of earshot or out of sight. I helped a couple recently, and I knew that she would forget who I was after our visit. I'd visit again and talk to her husband, and she would introduce herself to me over and over on each successive visit, even though we saw each other 30 or 40 times over the course of a few months. I just gently said hello, it's great to see you. How is your day going? I just smiled, brought a smile to her face. I didn't try to make her remember me. I'm just there to help her feel comfortable and at ease.
“For families that are choosing a real estate agent, vet them offsite first. Meet at a Starbucks or a local restaurant, have coffee, talk to them, ask them what is your philosophy of caring for people who have Alzheimer's or dementia. Find out how they talk about it, see how their inner-personal skills are, before bringing them into the home where mom or dad is, and see you know how they act around those topics. Also, ask about their experience, how many times have they been involved with a situation like this, and find out if they're experienced. Other elder care providers might be able to give a reference to the real estate agent that is sensitive to that.”
Learn more at SASH Services or call 888-400-7274. Also check out SASH's resources at AFE's website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne is joined by Rebecca Bomann, CEO and founder of SASH Services (Sell a Senior Home), to provide tips, guidance, and encouragement for families that may have a concern about the care of a senior loved one who has progressive dementia or Alzheimer's and can no longer take care of themselves anymore. Their home is usually their biggest asset to pay for round-the-clock care that mom or dad needs.
Families find themselves in an intense situation. The caregiver has to manage mom's finances, mom's care — where is she going to move to? What level of care does she need? Doctor's appointments? And we've got this home that she's lived in for 50 years, it's full, it hasn't been ready for market. How in the world are we gonna do this?
Rebecca says, “I'm working with a family right now where their loved one has dementia and it's $15,000 a month for around-the-clock care in their home. That is a lot of money. Even if you own your home outright, with that expense you can burn through all the equity in your home in just a couple of years. Financially, it doesn't make sense to stay at home. And then there's the safety element: The stove is left on, the doors are left open or unlocked, there's electrical hazards, there's fall risks. And family members are going and checking on mom every day, and they're starting to be so frazzled because of the stress of knowing that mom or dad is in an unsafe environment, and they have just reached that point where it's time to get mom or dad into a place of care. And, well, we're gonna have to sell the home to pay for it. And this is where they call us.
“We've got lots of tips and guidelines that we can get into in our next segment, and we just want to be here for you, give you valuable information, support, and this is all based on my years of experience of doing this day in and day out.”
Learn more at SASH Services or call 888-400-7274. Also check out SASH's resources at AFE's website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne is joined by Dr. Paul Winner, the Senior Director of the Premiere Research Institute and Attending Neurologist at Palm Beach Neurology in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Dr. Winner says, “We've been through research for a very long time. Most of our patients and research are actually the patients from our practice. We've been doing the best we can to try to help them. It has been hard. It has not been easy for many years. But things have changed. About three years ago, we started to get a much better understanding of this illness. We had some of the right medicines, the monoclonal antibodies to remove amyloid. We just didn't have the right dose, and we were studying them for too short a period of time, because we didn't understand the disease and what was happening. That has changed. We now understand to use the higher doses. We have a better handle on determining what side effects will occur in what patients. So we have bio markers that let us know: this is an Alzheimer's patient, this is a patient who has this genetic profile, this is the right study for them, this is the right monoclonal for them, because we already know the paradigms. We didn't know that many years ago, but we do know that now, and now we're seeing that we need a little more time. Patients have to give us a little more time. The medicines are working, but many of them take a year, two years, to really show that clinical response that we want to see. So that's very important, and that's part of learning and educating. But probably the most important thing to take away is that it's not just one or two medicines anymore. We are going to use multiple medicines depending on the situation.
“But the very first thing you have to do is get diagnosed correctly. So if there's any history in your family of dementia, even if it wasn't diagnosed as Alzheimer's, you need to be evaluated, if you're 50 or older, because that's where most of our studies start, we may even go younger than that. Definitely by 60 you need to start to be evaluated to see if you have those risk factors in your family. If you're not, and your family's lived to 105 and no one's ever had dementia, you may not be at risk. Still not a bad idea, though, at least by 60 or 65, to start getting an occasional neuro-behavioral assessment. Get a baseline of where your cognitive function is. Get a baseline of how your brain is working. We have something called an EVOX. It's a very easy machine. It's a much more sophisticated machine than an EEG. They're a little expensive and hard to do right now, because we don't have enough machines in the country. But eventually they shouldn't be as expensive, and they can be used as a screen. No amyloid, you don't have Alzheimer's. Present, doesn't mean you have Alzheimer's yet, doesn't mean it's gonna be bad yet, but you do have to follow up. You can't just forget about that, because we can take it out and get you better if it is something significant.”
“Right now, the most advanced evaluations and the most advanced treatments are inside the research. We are still recruiting for this new targeted Athira 1017, the FOSCO, we still have some recruitment going on. We're also recruiting for many of the other studies as well. Right now, all these bio market tests, different ones are done for different reasons. Many of them, you get a PET scan or a tau scan, some of you get both, some of you get the whole thing, some, you just get segments that are needed, to prove whether the medicine is working or not working. All of them have neuro-behavioral testing done serially throughout, to see how you're clinically doing. But what's more important than anything: how you're doing, and we can monitor that. How are you doing with your family, how is the caregiver doing? You can't just use medicine alone as well. You still have to do exercise, you still have to do diet, you still have to control the blood pressure, it's like any chronic illness. This is a neuro-degenerative disease, a chronic illness that has to be fought at every single level, and you have to support the caregiver, the family, and you have to obviously keep the patient number one.”
Learn more about the Athira Pharma Alzheimer's LIFT-AD research study, Interested in learning more? Contact Premiere Research Institute at (561) 296-3838, contact Dr Winner at (561) 851-9400 or learn more about him here. This podcast is courtesy of Athira Pharma.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne is joined by Dr. Paul Winner, the Senior Director of the Premiere Research Institute and Attending Neurologist at Palm Beach Neurology in West Palm Beach, Florida, to talk about advances in Alzheimer's research.
Dr. Winner says, “There's definitely a lot of optimism for patients with Alzheimer's. We've started to understand this disease a little better. We understand a lot more about amyloid, its toxic form, about tau, how it progresses, how there's nerve damage. These are all targets, these are all options to stop them. So our targeted research is to try to remove the toxic amyloid, to prevent its formation, to uncouple it, make it easier to be removed. There are basically plaques and tangles, amyloid and tau. Also to address the glial cell for inflammation. These are all targets — these are all options, and all of these are being tested right now, and there is definitely optimism in several of them. Some we feel we'll have some FDA approved medicines, possibly in 2023, definitely within the next two or three years.
“We we try to be very positive, but we do have to be a little careful. We do not have the ability today to stop Alzheimer's dementia. Let's make that clear. We do not have a cure. That's okay, we're working to that. But we can slow the progression of the illness. And we have shown we were able to remove amyloid. It takes 15 to about 22 years for the amyloid to be deposited. During all that time, it's causing trouble, damage, inflammation, cell death, production of tau. You want to get there even before patients have clinical symptoms. How in the world could we do that?
“Well, we have bio-markers now — we can tell if someone has positive amyloid, positive tau, positive nerve damage, even though it's not really affecting their life yet. So we can do that today, and those studies are ongoing, we are doing it now, I have patients under treatment. Then there's people who have mild cognitive impairment who come in voluntarily: They're starting to forget things. They've got to make lists to go to the grocery store, they're forgetting names, which they never did before. Or they need directions, they need someone else to help them in the car to drive, they need someone else to help them with the checkbook, because they're making too many mistakes. This is where we can slow down the deposition of amyloid in the brain — that's been done. In fact, there's already a medicine, aducanumab, that's FDA approved, but there are a lot of issues around it, and it's only used still in research primarily.
“But two others have shown very significant promise recently in Phase 2 studies. The clinical relevance is still being determined and it doesn't happen right away. It takes about six months to a year plus to remove amyloid to about a 60 to 70+ percent, and it takes about 18 months for us to really see what I've just observed, but this is significantly positive. The medicine does what it's supposed to do. It removes the amyloid, and you had less of a decline in the group that was on this active medicine.
“There're many other advances in Alzheimer's research. We're looking at anti inflammatory-type medicines, neuro-protective type medicines. Those are a little bit in their earlier studies, but we do have some promise.”
Learn more about the Athira Pharma Alzheimer's LIFT-AD research study, Interested in learning more? Contact Premiere Research Institute at (561) 296-3838, contact Dr Winner at (561) 851-9400 or learn more about him here. This podcast is courtesy of Athira Pharma.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne is joined by Dr. Paul Winner, the Senior Director of the Premiere Research Institute and Attending Neurologist at Palm Beach Neurology in West Palm Beach, Florida.
When family members see that mom may be fine, but maybe Dad starts to have some memory issues. How do you start the process of having the conversation to get them tested? Dr. Winner says, “I think you want to let people know that we have very good diagnostic methods today. We can actually determine what it is. It could be something simple. So you need to go to a center, essentially a memory disorder center. If you really have a problem, something that's essentially now affecting the family, that's no longer, “I'm worried if I have a little bit of an issue with my memory,” then you have to go to a memory disorder center. They need to get to a place that can do 1) a very, very good history and 2) a very good physical exam, and they're looking at domains of how the brain works. A good history can determine how long it's been that there's been memory issues. What was the initial problem? Was it a short term memory issue, was it an immediate memory issue, was it a behavior issue? Was it a movement problem? What is it? Because there's all different kinds of dementias, or maybe it's something else. A medication got changed a year ago and that's when this all started. So there are some simpler problems. There's thyroid conditions in the family and their medicine got changed. There's a lot of different variables. So a very good history, a very good physical exam. You need to do laboratory studies, basic laboratory studies, to make sure there is not a problem with thyroid. There isn't a B12 deficiency. There isn't an autoimmune or infectious process. This is not expensive and not hard to do.
What happens next? Dr. Winner explains, “Next is a nerve behavioral test. You need proper testing on what is going on with the brain. Is the aspect that's wrong? Is it memory? Is an executive function? Is it processing speed? All the different aspects, attention problems, is there a non-functional area or multiple areas? This gives you a clue right away of what you're dealing with. Then you need a picture of the brain. You need to make sure there's not another explanation, or maybe there's a mix, there could be two dementias. Sometimes a brain tumor caused this. Sometimes it's a meningioma with edema, and we can treat that, and they're all better pretty quickly.
“Then let's say we go through that and it's suggestive of Alzheimer's dementia. Well, you can make a clinical diagnosis, but you're not going to be right a lot of the time. You need to go to the next level. The next level is bio markers. We have serum bio markers, but essentially the gold study we should do is to use a PET scan, an amyloid PET scan, and/or add to that a tau pet scan. Two proteins are involved in Alzheimer's, amyloid and tau, so we can tell whether they're present. If you do not have significant amyloid deposits in the brain, you do not have Alzheimer's disease, period. But that test is expensive. It's $5, $6, $7,000, and it's not covered by insurance right now.
“Why is it so important to do this? We need to know the diagnosis. We must get it correct, because certain medicines are being developed for Alzheimer's. Others are being developed for general dementias, others for Parkinson's. Others may work at all of these different dementias. We need to know what the person has, so we can select the right medicine as we move forward.”
Learn more about the Athira Pharma Alzheimer's LIFT-AD research study, Interested in learning more? Contact Premiere Research Institute at (561) 296-3838, contact Dr Winner at (561) 851-9400 or learn more about him here. This podcast is courtesy of Athira Pharma.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne is joined by Dr. Paul Winner, the Senior Director of the Premiere Research Institute and Attending Neurologist at Palm Beach Neurology in West Palm Beach, Florida. Dr. Winner addresses various lifestyle changes to help avoid developing dementia. He says, “There are risk actors. You want to avoid this as best you can. You don't want this to happen, even if you're predisposed genetically to develop it. There are some things you can do to help yourself now. Controlling your blood pressure and exercising are the two single best things you can do outside of getting your hearing checked:
-
Have your hearing checked. It's so easy to find out if you have a hearing deficit and to correct it today with hearing aids. That goes a long way.
-
Correct your vision. If you have visual impairments, you want the best input into your brain so it can function as best it can.
-
If you've got metabolic syndrome, get it under control. If you have diabetes, control it as best as you can. Check your blood pressure. Studies have shown — the Sprint Mind study showed that controlling blood pressure clearly reduced the development of dementias. You want your blood pressure at 120 over 70 or less. Now obviously, if you're symptomatic with a low blood pressure, you can't do that, but most patients can, and you want to do that as soon as you possibly can.
-
Overweight obesity is another risk factor. Do your best to avoid certain foods. Diet is important. You don't want to wait till you have the symptoms — you want to get in front of it as best you possibly can. There are many medical and non-medical organizations that can give you some ideas about diet. Diet is complex. There are there's a Dash diet, there's a finger diet, there's the Mediterranean diet. The diet that you can handle, that you can do, is the right one for you. There are some that statistically seem a little bit better. The Mediterranean diet's pretty simple.
-
Alcohol consumption, basically none is the best, but if you're going to use it, it needs to be small quantities. The exact quantities are not clear. Remember, what do we use alcohol for in a clinical practice? We use it to clean off our tables, to kill viruses and bacteria. It is a caustic substance.
-
Head trauma — please don't do things that will ultimately result in you having a head injury, especially after the age of 40. If you're predisposed to develop that toxic amyloid genetically, and you hit your head, you're gonna accelerate that process. Do not go fix the roof if you're 40 or 50. Hire someone to do that. I can't tell you how many patients I have taken care of that have fallen off ladders when they were fixing gutters or the roof. Get someone to do that for you, if at all possible. Wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. If you've got problems with balance, use a stationary bike inside a protected area. I lost a good friend because, unfortunately, he had an injury that resulted in a subdural that clearly could have been prevented, and he's not with us anymore. It accelerated the dementia aggressively, and within a matter of years he was no longer alive.”
if somebody wants to get tested how do they get tested? Dr. Winner explains, “I don't want to be too optimistic here, because we're still doing the research and this is early data, but we have medications that are clinically functioning and look very positive. We need to get the diagnosis correct, which means just getting a simple evaluation of a person's history and a physical exam is not enough anymore. You need a neuro-behavioral test, administered by people who are very good at doing this, for a basic assessment. Then you're gonna have to get into much more detail medically to actually get the diagnosis right, because, essentially, Alzheimer's is about 60 to 70 percent of the dementias. Vascular dementia could be another 20 percent. They can coexist — in fact, the majority of them are mixed, but there is a predominant version on top of that. So you need to go to a center who's familiar with that. And everything is changing very quickly. We should have FDA-approved medications very soon, we have one right now that is disease modifying.”
Learn more about the Athira Pharma Alzheimer's LIFT-AD research study, Interested in learning more? Contact Premiere Research Institute at (561) 296-3838, contact Dr Winner at (561) 851-9400 or learn more about him here. This podcast is courtesy of Athira Pharma.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne is joined by Dr. Paul Winner, the Senior Director of the Premiere Research Institute and Attending Neurologist at Palm Beach Neurology in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Dr. Winner emphasizes, “Memory loss is not normal in aging. That is very clear to us now as we study this. When we forget something in our 20s or 30s, we don't even think twice about it. When we get in our 50s, 60s, 70s and we forget something, we wonder: am I getting Alzheimer's? First of all, it takes a long time to get Alzheimer's. The initial pathology is the depositing of something called A beta 42, a toxic protein called an amyloid. It's 15 to 22 years from the time that metabolic problems starts till we make the clinical diagnosis using clinical signs of Alzheimer's disease. So a lot of things are happening in the brain. People are normal for a long time while this biology is happening underneath with regard to the deposition of amyloid. And then there's another thing that happens. A deposition of another protein happens. The amyloid starts to cause trouble with the synapses, the communications in the brain. That's when you're starting to see the short-term memory issues in something called the temporal lobe region. And then you get, essentially, problems with the deposition of another protein called phosphorylated tau nerve cells are starting to die, and now you're getting more prominent symptoms. All of this takes years to decades happen.
Pay attention to an individual, comparing how they've been all their life, and if something there seems to be memory loss in aging, that's the time for concern. Dr. Winner explains, “An example I had recently: a couple came in and the husband noticed that when she's cooking, she's forgetting to put certain ingredients in, and she's a fantastic cook according to her husband. He's noticed over the past year or so that things aren't made right. He actually sees her shying away from cooking certain things. So we start to see people start to pull back. They know something's wrong, so so they say, let's go out to dinner more. I'm not gonna make that. I don't like making that anymore because it's complicated, or socially, they're finding it's hard to put a word in a sentence. They just can't get the right word in the sentence. And now they feel a little funny if they're going to go out socially and in a conversation, they can't keep the conversation going. They lose track and they realize something's wrong. I don't want to show this to other people, and they start essentially withdrawing, and that makes the situation worse. Human beings need to be interactive with other human beings.
Dr. Winner has participated as Investigator and Principal Investigator in numerous clinical studies.
Learn more about the Athira Pharma Alzheimer's LIFT-AD research study, Interested in learning more? Contact Premiere Research Institute at (561) 296-3838, contact Dr Winner at (561) 851-9400 or learn more about him here. This podcast is courtesy of Athira Pharma.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Carol Rosenstein, the founder of Music Mends Minds, joins Suzanne to talk about Rotary programs and other ways you can get involved with the program.
Carol explains their partnership with Rotary International: “If you're a Rotarian, please give me a call. We can talk about you creating a music group through your club as a community outreach program, and you will take that into an adult community services organization like Culver City Senior Center, and you can sponsor a music group, bringing music to the seniors in your neighborhood. Rotary is very busy in the Washington state area. We must have eight or ten different music groups already that are sponsored by rotary clubs. You can go onto our website and look to see where our music groups are located, scroll through and find those that are in the Washington area.”
Suzanne says, “Please go to https://www.musicmendsminds.org/. Check out what they do. This is an organization that makes an incredible difference in hundreds of thousands of lives. And if you consider making a donation, it makes all the difference, because this can transform the lives of those suffering from neuro-generative diseases, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, dementia, depression, loneliness, you name it.”
For more information, email Carol at info@musicmendsminds.org/, call her at (818) 326-0500, and you can donate to keep them growing at https://www.musicmendsminds.org/.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Carol Rosenstein, the founder of Music Mends Minds, joins Suzanne to talk more about how her program expanded during COVID.
Carol explains, “COVID closed us down, and it was a nightmare. And a board certified music therapist hired to participate in our in-person groups said there's something called Zoom. Zoom? Let's Zoom. So seniors showed up on Zoom, and we started to connect with people from all over the world, because it doesn't matter where you're located. We continued our growth spurt in spite of the closing down. Today, we're still on Zoom three times a week 11:30 to 12:30 Monday Wednesday Friday, and we're singing, socializing, and having the best time ever on Zoom.”
The kind of music they feature is from the older generation, because our memory recalls all of the oldies but goodies, and so when you sing an oldie but goodie, you've got the music as the anchor. “Music excites those cells from yesteryear, and that's why our seniors will wake up and sing a song. Sing a song – it's as palpable and important as having that pill out of your medicine jar. And the side effects are pure joy and increased brain function, not only for the patients, but the caregivers and the families at large. It's a win win win situation with music.”
For more information, email Carol at info@musicmendsminds.org/, call her at (818) 326-0500, and you can donate to keep them growing at https://www.musicmendsminds.org/.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Carol Rosenstein, the founder of Music Mends Minds, joins Suzanne to talk more about how music transforms those suffering from Parkinson's disease, dementia, or Alzheimer's. Carol wants to bring our attention to two important takeaways.
First, there are cells in our brains that have to do with music memory storage. Those cells are generated when a fetus in utero is six months old. They're already hearing a lullaby of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" being played in mommy's bedroom. Research shows that those lullabies are recognized after they're born.
The second thing is that we have a personal pharmacy within our own brains. Music is a catalyst that can release a neurotransmitter chemical. A Parkinson patient, they have dopamine deficiency. Music triggers a release of dopamine so that a Parkinsonian walks better, thinks better, talks better, feels better. Somebody sitting clapping to a melody, or tapping to a melody, doesn't have exactly the same trigger in the brain as somebody playing piano. There's music, there's notes, there's pedals, there's harmonics, and so the intensity of the music making has the most important effect on how much of that chemical is going to be released into the system.
Carol says, “We don't only administer to the patients. How about the caregiver? Ehree seconds, somebody's being diagnosed with dementia, every 65 seconds somebody with Alzheimer's, every five minutes somebody with Parkinson's. We're on a pandemic parallel pathway that COVID took us on, and we can show that music helps to stabilize us all.”
For more information, email Carol at info@musicmendsminds.org/, call her at (818) 326-0500, and you can donate to keep them growing at https://www.musicmendsminds.org/.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Carol Rosenstein, the founder of Music Mends Minds, joins Suzanne to talk about how music transforms people's lives, particularly those suffering from Parkinson's disease, dementia, or Alzheimer's.
Carol was deeply affected by this story: “In 1992, Dr. Concerto Tomano was a newly graduated music therapist. She was summoned to a local facility of end-stage dementia patients. The facility said, come and entertain our people. They are "the water and feeding group" because their brains are gone. She showed up in a communal area flanked by dementia patients that were in wheelchairs, some with mittens and their hands secured so that they couldn't get out of the wheelchair, others that were standing around in catatonic states, and she started to play the piano. Within seconds, these people started singing, mouthing, and moving to the music.
“I was so transfixed by her story. My precious Owen, who is now gone almost two years, had Parkinson's and dementia. Ten years into the journey, he had medication issues. As a Parkinsonian patient, he was taking synthetic dopamine several times a day. His brain was on overload. He was hallucinating, he was agitated. Our neurologist read these clinical findings, and said, it's the dopamine, Carol, bring down the dose. You know that your beloved becomes a wet noodle – the hallucinations were gone, the agitation was gone, but my guy was spent. He played the piano socially, sitting at the piano, as a wet noodle. I would see him become a dry one. Within five, ten minutes he had re-entered the environment as if I had given him a dose of med. And seeing this repeatedly, and with my clinical eye, I told the doctor, and he said that we're watching the power of music changing brain chemistry.
“I said, can I get a few like-minded souls and let's jam and make music together and have all of them respond? He says yes. And that's when everything started to change in my household, and in many many other households. Because I called for a launch. Thirty strangers arrived at a local private school in their music studio. They had the Steinway piano and the drum kit and a wall full of instruments for any kid to choose whatever they want for the session. And here thirty people gathered. One of them went to the Steinway piano, another to the drum kit as a drummer. My husband took a saxophone off the wall, and Sam opened up his jacket pocket and pulled out a harmonica out of his jacket pocket, and before you knew it, 15 minutes later, these total strangers, all with our diagnoses, were joined at the hip making music together. That was the start of the Fifth Dementia band.
“It just is so important to understand music is medicine for the mind, regardless of what ails you. We have a partnership with Rotary International that takes us global. ''Rotary'' magazine featured us in the May 2022 edition with a seven page story and me on the cover. So we reach out to share with people how they can start a musical group through their organizations to reach the seniors who need the music. Because music is medicine, and changed their lives.”
Learn more at https://www.musicmendsminds.org/. You can also text or call (818) 326- 0500.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne talks with Julie Wilkins, Ignacio Lopez, and Rebecca Martin to talk about MorningStar Senior Living's Lavender Sky program. Rebecca Martin is VP of Memory Care, Julie Wilkins is Vice President of Clinical Resources at EmpowerMe Wellness, and Ignacio Lopez is a dementia resident expert at MorningStar at West Valley.
This segment focuses on where we go in the future with breakthroughs in Alzheimer's and dementia therapies, and how they plan for the future with Lavender Sky, the communities' holistic approach to Alzheimer's and Dementia memory care.
Rebecca says, “We're constantly reevaluating our current programs, just looking at our new clientele, and unfortunately, we do see an increase in earlier onset Alzheimer's and dementia. So how does programming change for somebody that is 55 or 60 versus our our previous clientele that was in the older ages of 80 and 90. So we've looked at a lot of different holistic modalities and the benefits in implementing them into our program offerings, and just see so much success from that. So that's I think really where we're going is furthering the development of our activity offerings.”
Julie says, “There's just a ton of research being done. Things come out every month. We are constantly updating our program. One of the more interesting things of late has been the connection between music and improved memory, improved depression, agitation, and the areas that are stimulated in the brain by music. But the other piece of that is the individualized component. We strongly associate music of certain types with emotions and experiences, so we always want to make sure that we're pairing, you know, something that has a positive impact on the individual, or a type of music that they've always enjoyed, or something that has always made them feel uplifted or calmed in something.
Ignacio says, “We're looking at things to include like cognitive stimulation therapy as well, and new things that are always up and coming. We want layer those into our Lavender Sky program as well. What we know about cognitive stimulation therapy is that it can really help people in the earlier stages of dementia to maintain their independence, longer, have better word-finding skills, better emotional control, and really just overall better quality of life. It's a therapy that's been around for several years, but we're seeing more studies that show excellent success in even reducing the need for dementia medications. And if we can do that just by engaging our residence in these creative ways, in additional holistic modalities and therapies, then that's our goal, quality of life, 100 percent.”
Learn more at https://www.morningstarseniorliving.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rebecca Martin, MorningStar Senior Living’s VP of Memory Care, joins Suzanne to talk about their Lavender Sky program. Lavender Sky is the communities’ Alzheimer's and dementia memory care philosophy and programming services, which takes a holistic approach.
Why is it called Lavender Sky? Rebecca explains, “That really comes from our tagline at MorningStar, which is to cast a new light, and that is our goal, just knowing that so many people come to us having those feelings of despair or anxiety, and wanting to find the best place for their senior loved one. And also, the color dark purple is often associated with Alzheimer's, so we decided, when we cast light on the darkness of all of those emotions, that we can really bring peace to those families, that we can lift them up to a lighter, more hopeful space. And just doing so lightens that color to lavender. So we chose to call it Lavender Sky. And for the soothing properties of lavender, the plant, which is known to help therapeutically soothe anxiety.”
Rebecca continues, “The program is really more than just a training program. This is our philosophy on memory care with staff training, family support services, and our signature standards that you can see in all 32 of our homes. What we did there is branch off of our mission statement and our commitment to really value all seniors as gifted in contributing individuals. We thought, how do we continue to do that despite the challenges that come with dementia? How do we continue to draw out those gifts and support our seniors to really feel genuinely valued?
“We've had the Lavender Sky training program since about 2013. It has evolved over the years, and the program has been developing over this past year to include additional layers: the family support, and even community training for first responders, or anybody that really just wants to have a greater understanding of dementia and Alzheimer's.
“We require all of our staff to go through the Lavender Sky training. So, whether they work in culinary, housekeeping, or the front desk, we want them to have that deeper understanding of what dementia is, because 70% of our residents, even in assisted living, can have some cognitive challenges. So we want them to be able to identify when someone might benefit from additional support, or how to redirect somebody that may have some cognitive challenges. And we just want everyone to feel fully comfortable, equipped, and confident that they know how to engage with a resident, how to redirect them if necessary. And to really understand, with great empathy, what's physically going on with their cognitive decline.”
See a video introduction of Lavender Sky with Rebecca Martin, and learn more atMorningStar Senior Living’s website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne is joined by Ignacio Lopez III, CDP, dementia resident expert at MorningStar Senior Living's new community, MorningStar at West Valley in San José, California. They have a dedicated art studio, fitness studio, living areas, two dining rooms, and a sky terrace. The Lavender Sky approach is to serve them, enter their world and embrace them where they are. The community is set up for person-centric care.
They are scheduled to open in January and taking reservations, with Founder's Club members having many perks. Learn more at https://www.morningstarseniorliving.com/communities/memory-care-san-jose-west-valley/. Their information center is located at 3920 Williams Rd, Suite B in San José.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Julie Wilkins, Vice President of Clinical Resources at EmpowerMe Wellness, joins Suzanne to talk about their Mindful Living memory program, a formalized approach to addressing the needs of seniors who are experiencing memory loss or a decline in function related to dementia or other cognitive issues. It is based on Claudia Allen's work of the six levels of cognition, which is a test that evaluates the ability of someone to make decisions, maintain independence and safely perform basic skills. Mindful Living is used to identify seniors showing memory problems or decreased ability to function in their residence, determine their functional level, educate on coping strategies, and provide non-pharmacological interventions to enhance quality of life and improve their ability to function.
Julie explains, “We have developed an individualized approach. So not only do we start with determining what level they're at, but we also take into consideration who their relationships are with, and the depth of those relationships, in addition to what is the structure of their day. Some folks do just fine until the afternoon, and that's when it breaks down, and we have to figure out what triggers the breakdown.
“If we have a family member that's concerned, we'll bring them in for a screening. We do some assessments: what is their day like, how are they managing in their residence? What things can they do, what things are they having trouble doing? From there we can get an idea if we need to do more specialty testing to delve into really what the cause of the problems are. We need the level screening that I talked about, and then from there, we set goals with the resident and the caregivers and family in mind, so everybody contributes to those goals: What are the important things for them to do? How can we keep their level of independence as much and as long as possible?”
Follow the links to learn more about Julie Wilkins, the Allen Cognitive Level screen, EmpowerMe Wellness, and the Mindful Living program.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne to talk about CarePartners memory care and their Bonded Pairs program, which keeps spouses together at a senior living community.
Kelley talked about CarePartners cottages: "The cottages has been such a winner from the very beginning, and it allows residents autonomy because they each live in a little house — they have their own little bedroom, everybody has a bathroom, there's a common area, a kitchen, and usually they've got cookies or bread or something baking to make it smell good all the time. And residents have snacks in the refrigerator. They can go out to a beautiful, secure courtyard and enjoy being out in our beautiful weather. We have umbrella areas and undercover areas for them to sit outside and enjoy beautiful things. And they can visit other cottages, so if they have a friend that lives across the street, they can go visit, like a little village. But it works. It works, because they get to be outside, they get to they get to move. Activities have also been brought in. You want it to feel for them like the little house they used to live in. It's just it's kind of neat to have, like you know, a barbecue or something going on and have all the rest of the neighbors and out in the courtyards and enjoying their neighborhood.”
Regarding Bonded Pairs, this is for any couple, where they're safe together. “Bonded Pairs doesn't have to be a married couple. It can be any bonded pair. We've had a mother and daughter team. Our goal is to keep them together as long as possible. We'll come into the room providing care. You know, we can do all the same things for that loved one that we do in memory care. Maybe there's time for their haircut, and they gotta go run by the bank, but she's just not having a bad day. They can take mom up to memory care. She can hang out with us for a couple of hours while he runs his errand he can't come back and pick her up. So it works out really well. But at night, you know when when they're going to sleep, and she's right tucked in next to him and he's not worried about what's happening upstairs, and she's not scared because she's alone.”
They purchased The Arbor in Bremerton, Washington and Lynden Manor in Whatcom County, Washington. “We've already gotten the chance to make some improvements at Lynden Manor. Not that it needed a lot, but sometimes when you've been in a building for a long time, you don't see things. We've got a lot of new things planned. We just did a really fun party for the residents, with a petting zoo, a band, and good food. The Seahawks Legends got to come visit. But it's gorgeous and it has independent, assisted living, and memory here all right there on this gorgeous ground. And again they seem like all of other CarePartners properties. They do that that beautiful spend down. You don't have to worry about, what am I gonna do if I run out of money? You just stay, have a great life, have fun. It's a beautiful community.”
CarePartners has also expanded into Arizona with three communities. “We're building in Tuson. There's Cottage Lane at Vineyard Park Surprise, Arizona. They don't use the phrase independent living in Arizona, it's more advanced care for assisted living, and then memory care, with all three in a one-story building that's really easy to navigate. The building is fantastic, again, great care team, beautiful people. The rooms are amazing. I'd live there, it's fantastic.”
Learn more at their website at CarePartners Senior Living.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne to talk about the most common questions she's asked every day about Alzheimer's and Dementia.
Kelley explained, “People want to know what a normal day looks like. You may go in for a tour and see people sleeping on the couch. Depending on the time, they'd probably be doing that at home — and this is their home. Don't expect there to be parties every time you visit, because the job isn't to entertain the residents constantly, it's to keep them in a homelike environment where they feel safe and secure. There are all sorts of activities from doing somebody's nails to playing a card game, or something else that's entertaining. But the most important thing is not that mom needs to be entertained, but that she needs to feel needed. CarePartners learns as much about the residents. One family sat us down, told us all about their beautiful mother who moved into our Mill Creek community. The activity girl ran down and got all these vases, and all these gorgeous flowers, because the mother was a flower arranger. She now does all of the flowers at the community. That's the kind of stuff you'll see in dementia communities. It's not always cupcakes and popcorn balls. You need to meet these folks where they're at, at the moment.”
Sometimes mom wakes up and see her husband — but she remembers what her husband was like 30 or 40 years ago, not the old man in bed next to her, and she doesn't recognize him. Another common thing is that grandma will fixate on a teen grandson, and he doesn't get it, and thinks grandma's being weird. Do you look anything like grandpa when he was young? In her mind, Mom will go back in time. Certain things don't make sense to us, because in their mind, they're back to 32 again, and you should be about 12. Rarely, they don't recognize the spouse. Most of the time that's the only person they recognize as their disease progresses. But when it seems Mom can't remember your name. Kelley says, “I'm gonna tell you right now. I think, in their heart, they always know who you are. I think that's why things get calm after a visit. I think that's why, even if they don't recognize you, just your presence can be good for them. Don't give up on them just because they've hurt your feelings. Think about what they're going through.”
When families get to this point, and ask how can they best bridge my loved one into a community of care such as CarePartners, they ask what their first steps should be. Kelley advises, “The first thing they should do is start checking things out before it becomes an emergency. The problem with memory care is, by the time we get folks, there's either been an emergency, or we're about to have one. Make your decisions sooner. Start doing some research a little bit beforehand. Pick out communities that you like. I would pick out one or two, not just one. And the reason is, what if the time comes when mom needs to move, and they're full? So check out a couple of places, make sure you like a couple of them. Ask the right questions. And then as far as your loved one goes, you're gonna know, and a lot of times if you're taking them back and forth to a doctor, the doctor at some point will make a recommendation, and it's time. We've never had a problem with anybody really refusing to move in. You know, that's not really a problem because most folks are either they're ready for memory care or they're happy that assisted living is going to be a bridge.”
In the next segment, Kelley and Suzanne talk about the CarePartners Bonded Pairs program. Kelley explained, “One of the situations we realized we're having is that kids were coming to mom and dad, and separating them because one of them has Alzheimer's. We think we should go put Mom in this place. And dad's like, “I'll be darned if you're going to take mom from me,” and mom doesn't want to be taken from dad. So what we came up with was the Bonded Pairs program. And at our Mount Lake Terrace community alone, we've kept over fifty couples together that would have been separated. It not only saves money, but saves heartache. You know, if dad and mom can be in assisted living together, and she's not going to get up the middle of the night and wander down the street, she's fine. So why are we pushing these issues and trying to separate these folks? The biggest concern people had was being separated.”
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne to talk about different types of dementia, and how to approach caring for a senior loved one. If you contact the Alzheimer's Association, they'll tell you there are over a hundred different types of dementia. Alzheimer's is the kind of dementia you see the most, and you also see vascular dementia that can be brought on by a number of different things. Heart disease, COPD. You also see Lewy body dementia, which unfortunately is very common with many Parkinson's residents. You don't have to have Parkinson's to get Lewy body, but that also forms a very different behavior, a very different outlook. Also, a 45 year old person who gets Alzheimer's will probably be deceased by 50, and an 89 year old woman's with Alzheimer's will probably live out their life.
We as family members think we're doing right by a loved one because we have them at home, but we really are clueless when it comes to communication. We don't know how to stimulate their brains — we don't have those skill sets. What should they expect in a home care situation? You need to take a look at the situation. If your loved one is still safe at home — they're not wandering, they're not at risk, they're still in the first stages — can you bring in some home care to kind of help out with a few things, maybe some housekeeping, whatever it takes to keep them at home? As long as they're safe at home, it's never a bad idea. When we get to the dementia part, where we have science experiments in the refrigerator and medication not being taken on time, then it's time to ask: Is it really realistic for us to keep mom and dad at home? What's it doing to my health, what's it doing to our situation? And is it working? Is mom happy? And if the truth is it's not working, she's not happy, then you have to start looking at some outside options. And there's adult family homes, there's assisted living, memory care-type communities, there are options out there. But you have to figure out what's going to be best for them with their personality and their abilities, and their social skill at the time that the placement has become necessary.
In the next segment, Kelley and Suzanne talk about various care options for those with Alzheimer's and dementia. Learn more at CarePartners’ website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne to discuss how to talk about dementia or Alzheimer's with your senior loved one. We all get forgetful at times, depending on our stress level and workload. You can be forgetful at 20, you can be forgetful at 40. You can be forgetful at 80. Normal forgetfulness is you're walking out the door; did you bring your keys? Not normal is you've got medications on the counter that are eight years old, but you think that you just got them. Unless we have a long-distance relationship with our families, we usually can tell when there's been a decline that's significant enough to make a difference. Watch for signs of danger: is the person becoming a danger to themselves or other people? If you think that's an issue, get them in to see their doctor to get a proper diagnosis.
How do you bring that up? First, put yourself in the other person's shoes. Understand that what you're going to talk to them about is scary. This is not an easy conversation for you to have, but it's a harder conversation for them to have. Think about the message you want to convey — ask them how they're feeling. Ask them if they're noticing things: are they feeling a little bit different, and are they noticing things are a little tougher or harder, or whatever it is you've noticed in the home?
Also keep the family dynamic in mind. Kelley shared this story: “One time 15 years ago my mom got really sick and was in the hospital for a long time, and finally they said she could go home, but they really recommended she had some extra care. And I said, hey, I'm the oldest kid, I'm the daughter. I'll come take care of you. And she said, yea, No. My feelings were hurt for just a minute, but then I got it. She did not want our dynamic to change. She didn't want to become my child. If I had gotten sick and she took care of me, there wouldn't have been any dignity issues, because she's already been doing that from the time I was born.”
You have to think about that when you're having these conversations with your loved ones. Try not to put them in a position where their dignity could be a concern. Maybe they don't want you to be the person who cares for them, and don't take that personally. You're gonna have to honor their wishes as well.
In the next segment, Kelley and Suzanne talk more about connecting with our senior loved ones in a new way. Learn more at CarePartners’ website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sarah Luetke, founder and CEO Sound Dental Care, joins Suzanne to talk about breakthroughs in geriatric dental care. In this segment, Sarah talks about her mission and where the breakthroughs will take us. Her goal and team is about serving others, helping family members, and trying something different. We're all aging, and we're all going to go through this process – seniors should be able to live out their lives feeling like they're being cared for, in a humane way, being advocated.
Learn more at https://www.sounddentalcare.com/ or call 206-745-3808.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sarah Luetke, founder and CEO Sound Dental Care, joins Suzanne to talk about breakthroughs in geriatric dental care.
Sarah shares a story: “I saw a couple - husband and wife's spouse - for years at the private practice. I was their hygienist at the dental office, and both had excellent teeth, lots of crowns in their mouth. Anytime they needed work done, they financially did it, they could afford it, they believed in it, and they just had beautiful mouths, healthy mouths. The husband came in one day, and I hadn't seen his wife in a few years, and he said, ‘I haven't had her in because she now lives in a nursing home, and I'm really worried about her. She has 10 to 15 teeth that have broken off to the gum line since you guys saw her last.’ So the dentist said, ‘Sarah, you're starting your your mobile company, why don't you go to the nursing home and see her?’ I saw her, and I sent photos to the dentist, and nd he said, ‘There is no way I'm extracting all those teeth — some dentists may extract all of those, but he said on an Alzheimer's patient they would need general sedation, it's not in her best interest. He said, “why don't you go do that thing you do?” And that thing the thing I do is a palliative care or an alternative treatment with silver diamine fluoride, an antimicrobial prescription topical. You apply it with a Q-tip, you apply it to a cavity, you can apply it to root tips. I've applied it to abscesses where a patient isn't healthy enough for an extraction. What can we do? The medical doctor will put the patient on a systemic antibiotic and I will treat it with silver diamine from a clinical point, and together we will try to do everything we can to keep the patient healthy. So this is what I did for my patient, and I continued to care for her for five years. She had quit eating a lot of her favorite foods before the silver treatment. Those teeth did turn black, as it arrested the cavities. If that's a concern to the patient or the family, you can always have tooth-colored fillings put on top of them. But you don't have to. Her husband said, no, just leave it. She started eating bacon again. She she lived for five more years. And the cost is so much less than doing a filling. As a matter of fact, in our practice, we charge no extra for our private pay patients. And if we bill insurance and they don't pay for it, we write it off because we feel that it is the best thing, better than a cleaning. It's the best thing we can do for a patient.”
Learn more at https://www.sounddentalcare.com/ or call 206-745-3808.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sarah Luetke, founder and CEO Sound Dental Care, joins Suzanne to talk about breakthroughs in geriatric dental care and services. COVID changed a lot of things for a lot of people, and the pandemic really sped up tele-dentistry and mobile dentistry. If you Google mobile dentistry, there are many many people - providers, whether it be dentists, hygienists, dental therapists, denturists - starting to be mobile. Thinking outside of the box of traditional dentistry is really opening up doors. Tele-dentistry allows an offsite dentist to supervise a hygienist or diagnose something and give them permission to treat a patient in a different way.
If you have a senior loved one who's in a senior living community or goes to a community center, there are are services available for people who might not necessarily be able to make it into a dental office to bring dental care to them. Washington state law that allows hygienists to operate independently in certain settings: Sound Dental Care only cares for patients 65 and older at nursing homes and senior centers. As a mobile firm, she has less overhead and be more mindful of seniors on fixed incomes, anyone that no longer has an active paycheck coming in. And oftentimes people no longer have dental insurance once they are no longer with their employer dental insurance.
The pandemic evolved mobile dentistry. When Sound Dental Care started in 2016, they did bring a dental chair with them into the senior living community - a patient chair, dental chair, and an operator chair, as well as the whole ultrasonic, suction, and everything else you'd see have at a dental office. But due to the pandemic, a lot of these facilities could not buy state mandates to let patients out of their room. For her hygiene practice, she prefers to take everything into the building. As a denturist, she has a mobile denture van; the patient is still in the building, but if she need to go do something with their dentures, she has a lab right there. There are other providers that have patients come into their van or their motor home for services. But Sound Dental Care works with patients who need assistance moving about, and they're higher-risk patients, so they are better cared for in the building. And that makes sense, too, because staff is there, in case of a problem, with a dementia patient who might have a panic attack.
Sound Dental Care does many preventative type treatments, including alternative palliative care with silver diamine fluoride. It used to be used in the United States, but we shifted to the use of local anesthetic, drilling and filling, and when patients started thinking cosmetically. It is a liquid antimicrobial containing silver and fluoride, and silver ions, and it halts decay in a cavity or a tooth that's broken off.
In our next segment, Sarah and Suzanne will talk more about advances in geriatric dental health. Learn more at https://www.sounddentalcare.com/ or call 206-745-3808.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sarah Luetke, founder and CEO Sound Dental Care, joins Suzanne to talk about geriatric dental health. Sarah has worked in dentistry for over 20 years, for some time in Bainbridge, a very affluent community as a dental hygienist for a group practice dentist. Patients had the ability to pay for dental care that could keep up on their dental health. She has also had the opportunity to work in farm communities in Montana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota where people don't have the finances to do everything to restore their teeth. She saw patients being offered amazing dental care services. And in America, we are aging people with teeth. Previous generations had teeth pulled and maybe had dentures. Now we have much better technology, but it can be expensive.
If you're having tooth pain and you can't afford traditional dentistry, or you can't get into the dental office even if you have the money, it's a big problem. So as a hygienist, Sarah's goal has been advocating for health and educating her patients.
Seniors may not necessarily do as good a job with their dental care. They're perhaps not eating as many crunchy items, things that can help break down things, and instead eating softer foods. For Alzheimer's patients, the action of chewing and masticating food actually helps the brain and function.
In our next segment, Sarah and Suzanne talk about advances in geriatric dental health. Learn more at https://www.sounddentalcare.com/ or call 206-745-3808.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pauline Smith, executive director of Encore Communities at Laurel Cove in Shoreline, Washington joins Suzanne to talk about how the community supports families of senior loved ones.
Encore Communities at Laurel Cove is located at 17201 15th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155. Learn more at https://encorecommunities.com/laurel-cove or call 206-364-9336.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With high rates of Alzheimer's in Washington, Suzanne talks about memory care at Encore Communities at Laurel Cove in Shoreline, Washington with executive director Pauline Smith. She talks about memory care and the services provided for those with Alzheimer's.
Encore Communities at Laurel Cove is located at 17201 15th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155. Learn more at https://encorecommunities.com/laurel-cove or call 206-364-9336.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Working with seniors in their 70s or 80s who are considering downsizing to senior living. The thought of moving is unpleasant, especially for people who have lived in their home for a generation or move. Pauline Smith, executive director of Encore Communities at Laurel Cove in Shoreline, Washington joins Suzanne to talk about how Laurel Cove helps. With the senior, they help brainstorm through the process, they have community partners who help with downsizing, estate sales, packing, moving, which helps a lot. Respite stays are available so all people have to do is pack a suitcase.
Encore Communities at Laurel Cove is located at 17201 15th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155. Learn more at https://encorecommunities.com/laurel-cove or call 206-364-9336.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pauline Smith, executive director of Encore Communities at Laurel Cove in Shoreline, Washington joins Suzanne to talk about Laurel Cove, an independent assisted living and memory care residence in one community. Starting out in skilled nursing as a caregiver, Pauline progressed to resident care coordinator and eventually executive director. They also talk about seniors in their 70s or 80s who are considering making a shift to senior living and reasons why they might make a move.
Encore Communities at Laurel Cove is located at 17201 15th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155. Learn more at https://encorecommunities.com/laurel-cove or call 206-364-9336.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this segment, Rebecca Bomann, CEO and founder of SASH Services, talks with Suzanne about the differences faced during the sale of a senior loved one's home in situations were there's an only child and where there are multiple siblings. People in each situation envies the other. If you are a caregiver, you've got to take breaks, have balance and boundaries. Don't fall into the slippery slope of being everything to your loved one until you burn out.
Find SASH Services at sashservices.com or sashrealty.com, or call 888-400-SASH.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bumpy family dynamics are normal through transitions and a senior loved one's home sale. It's not a matter of whether there will be differing opinions, conflicts, and differences in goals, it's when they'll come up. Continuing from the previous segment, Rebecca Bomann, CEO and founder of SASH Services, talks about some more family roles some people might resonate with: the "expert" who knows more than anyone on every topic, the "user" (person siphoning the loved one's resources), the volunteer angel, as well as the rallying team, a beautiful rallying of all the family members to help the loved one which makes an immeasurable impact.
Find SASH Services at sashservices.com or sashrealty.com, or call 888-400-SASH.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this segment, Rebecca Bomann, CEO and founder of SASH Services, describes some typical roles that siblings and family members fall into during the sale of a senior loved one's home — why they fall into these role, how that impacts the whole family dynamic, and how we can provide support to these people during our care for a senior loved one. Rebecca talks about family roles some people might resonate with, such as the devoted advocate, the sacrificial lamb (stretched-to-the-limit home caregiver), armchair quarterback, and the no-show. The bottom line is supporting the best interests of the senior loved one, at the end of the day.
Find SASH Services at sashservices.com or sashrealty.com, or call 888-400-SASH.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you have a family going through changes with a senior loved on, or is expecting soon to go through a transition, this is show you may want to listen to. Family plays an outsized role during transitions. With all the stress, strife, and confusion for caregivers, it's easy to come apart at the seams with the family you love, particularly since it's the family home that's going to be sold. Rebecca Bomann, CEO and founder of SASH Services, joins Suzanne to explain a few things that happen to families during transitions so that you'll know what you're experiencing is normal. It's hard to let go, and place your trust in someone outside yourself. Build a team around you who can keep you going strong: professionals, social workers, and caregivers.
Find SASH Services at sashservices.com or sashrealty.com, or call 888-400-SASH.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nationally renowned Alzheimer's and dementia expert Lori La Bey joins Suzanne from Minneapolis at Alzheimer’s Speaks. In this segment, Lori introduces the Dementia Map, a global resource directory, event calendar, glossary, and blog. There's such a need to connect families with products and tools to find support. They don't want to give away their personal information to find tools. It's crafted to be as simple as possible to use, since caregivers are exhausted and our loved ones can be easily distracted. There are 150 searchable categories by location.
Visit Dementia Map to see more.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you know of someone who is dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia, or caregiving for them, direct them to Lori La Bey's resources at Alzheimer’s Speaks. Nationally renowned Alzheimer's and dementia expert Lori La Bey joins Suzanne to talk about educational videos, dementia quick tips, the Purple Angel Project, a list of dementia-friendly businesses, blog, caregiver roadmap, poetry, art, news, and more.
See these free resources and tools for caregivers. Listen and subscribe to Lori's podcast.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The need in the community drove Suzanne to form Answers for Elders, Similarly, nationally renowned Alzheimer's and dementia expert Lori La Bey was frustrated by the lack of resources, products, tools, services, and educational support available to families and professionals back when she needed them to help care for her mom. She became committed to make a difference shifting dementia care from crisis to comfort around the world. See these free resources and tools for caregivers.
Listen and subscribe to Lori's podcast.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This fall, nationally renowned Alzheimers and dementia expert Lori La Bey joins Suzanne from Minneapolis at Alzheimer's Speaks. Lori talks about her personal experiences with her mom, who was first diagnosed in the 1980s. La Bey is a passionate advocate who searches for ways to shift our dementia care culture from crisis to comfort around the world. She understands change is needed on multiple levels. Listen and subscribe to Lori's podcast.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Grief can be overwhelming, and for seniors going through it, it's a powerful effect on our bodies. Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living talks to Suzanne about how to hep, buy paying attention, being available, taking action to support loved ones, honoring that they need time to work through the process. This segment talks about what a senior living community needs to know to provide the right help for someone working through the grieving process.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living has talked to Suzanne about senior dynamics and what families are going through regarding grief. This segment is about things to do, steps you can take, actions. Don't offer advice unless they ask for it. They need someone to listen. It's hard to be around someone who's sad, but be nice, it's better for them to be around people. It's heartwarming to be invited somewhere even if you feel depressed enough not to want to get out of bed.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne to talk about grief. With the loss of a loved one, Kelley talks about how to support those who are in the grieving process.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne to talk about grief.
How many of us have lost loved ones during the pandemic, having illnesses resulting from the pandemic, taking care of spouses or loved ones who are struggling? We turn ourselves inside out while caring for a loved one. Kelley shares insights about grief, how people process grief, and how we can be better at supporting and helping those working through the grieving process.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rebecca Bomann, CEO and founder of SASH Services, summarizes her eight tips to make your home sale more successful in a changing real estate market. See her previous segments in this hour for details about each of the tips.
People have seen price reductions and seeing a 45-day period to sell their home after the crazy seller's market. Recently in the Pacific northwest, about 1,900 homes were new listings, while 2,100 reduced their price and 400+ canceled the listings. Your broker should bring this sort of data tailored to your specific local market, and their communication skills are of paramount importance. Homes sell every week of the year, every season, every economic cycle. If you didn't list in the spring in summer, you don't have to wait till next year. You can list on Thanksgiving. Rebecca once listed a house on December 23rd and got seven offers before the end of the year.
You can still have a successful sale if you follow the tips: 1) Presentation matters. 2) Study your competition. 3) Price in the sweet spot. 4) Broken should have a multifaceted marketing plan. 5) Interview potential real estate brokers. 6) Buyers can ask for concessions. 7) The best offer usually comes during the first week. 8) Be collaborative with potential buyers.
Find SASH Services at sashservices.com or sashrealty.com, or call 888-400-SASH.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Continuing from part 1, SASH Services founder Rebecca Bomann provides more tips to make your home sale more successful in a changing real estate market.
2) Study your competition. Look at who is listing their home now, how are they priced, how do they compare to your home. Swipe through photos on real estate apps.
3) Price your home in the sweet spot: not so high that nobody comes to see it, not so low that you feel you left money on the table. Pick your sale price one or two days before listing, not earlier. Buyers are very well educated, can easily check comparative prices on their phones, can tell if a house is priced too high, or how many price drops you've had. Don't base it on what your neighbor got six months ago; it must be priced based on current market data. If you get a lot of activity the first week, it's priced right. If you have no offers after a few weeks, then it's priced too high and it should be reduced 3-5 percent. The market never lies.
4) Have a multifaceted marketing plan. You can't just put it on the market and expect a flood of offers. Your real estate broker needs to earn their commission: Host 2-3 open houses the first week, some in twilight hours for people just off work; make gorgeous flyers on nice paper to show pride of ownership; make excellent video or virtual tours; promote online on social media and in real estate apps to drive traffic.
5) Interview potential real estate brokers. Research who you're going with. How do they showcase other listings? Don't just pick your nephew because they're related. There's so much at stake when the proceeds are going to fund your care for the rest of your life — you don't want to leave money on the table.
Hear more tips in our next segment. Find SASH Services at sashservices.com or sashrealty.com, or call 888-400-SASH.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The real estate has shifted since May. You can still enjoy a successful change in your home sale, but a few expectations have changed. Since the pandemic in March 2020, it's been a frenzied seller's market with high sale prices and multiple offers. You can always count on the market changing, and now the market is leveling to become less lopsided. 18% yearly appreciation, having to make offers on multiple homes, waiving inspections, waiving appraisals, non-refundable earnest money, with little inventory available for sale is not a sustainable situation. It was fun for sellers for a couple of years, but a balanced market where buyers have some leverage is a more stable market.
Rebecca Bomann, CEO and founder of SASH Services, provides tips to make your home sale more successful in a changing real estate market. You can still sell a home within a few days, but you need to follow guidelines to make that happen. 1) Presentation matters. During the seller's market, you'd see sellers leaving garbage cans out in front of the house and brokers taking dark, fuzzy photos. Today, sellers need to present a clean, well-lit, uncluttered home. Put your home in its Sunday best. Pack up or sell some of the things you don't need because it will photograph better, and insist on professional photography.
You don't have to do all the work yourself. SASH Services can take care of the hard work, the downsizing, sprucing up, and moving parts so you can just worry about moving into your new destination. Hear more tips in the next segments.
Find SASH Services at sashservices.com or sashrealty.com, or call 888-400-SASH.
Lead image © Can Stock Photo / Feverpitched
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rebecca Bomann, CEO and founder of SASH Services, provides more tips to make your home sale more successful. Sellers should expect these things in a changing real estate market.
6) It's OK for buyers to ask for concessions such as help with closing costs now that interest rates are rising. Buyers can ask for inspections and for repairs to be made prior to closing. Appraisal work orders are being seen now, all normal. Also, contingent sales — allowing extra closing time for the buyer to sell their home and lease options may come up. No seller should take offense; these are normal concessions.
7) The best offer usually comes during the first week. You will have the most traffic your first week. Don't wait for a better one; don't scare away the only buyer you have now in hopes of getting a different one, though you should encourage negotiation and multiple offers.
8) Take good care of your potential buyers. When you have one or two potential buyers, you want to be friendly, accommodating, and flexible. You both want to close the sale, so collaborate to tackle and solve obstacles together.
Hear some general market statistics and a summary of Rebecca's tips in our next segment. Find SASH Services at sashservices.com or sashrealty.com, or call 888-400-SASH.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to talk about what to do when a care facility threatens to discharge or evict a senior loved one. There are specific federal rules that apply when the reason for the discharge is failure to pay:
-
No "failure to pay" if Medicaid application is pending
-
If not first application, there must be difference from first
-
Maybe no "failure to pay" if state hearing or appeal is pending
-
Facility may try to discharge despite the Medicaid application
Just the fact that they are prohibited from these discharge threats doesn't mean they won't try. If they succeed because the family doesn't know any better, then they get away with it.
If someone wants to challenge a threat to discharge, make sure you follow all these steps:
-
Appeal instructions are in the discharge notice
-
Appeal to the appropriate governmental office
** Include a copy of the proposed discharge paperwork in your appeal
** Send a copy of your appeal to the facility
Have the written discharge notice before you began your appeal. You have 30 days, but don't wait to appeal — if you don't appeal soon enough, the facility can go ahead and discharge them. If you win your appeal after that, the facility is first in line to take them back, so long as they have the space.
Possible defenses against the discharge:
- Challenge the reason for discharge
** If discharge is for failure to pay, show there is aa pending application or appeal
- Challenge the choice of their new facility as not appropriate
** If it's your home, for instance, show how it can't meet the loved one's needs
- Challenge failure of proper notice
In a hearing, the nursing home or assisted living facility goes first, because they carry the burden of proof. When it's your turn, you're probably going to have to be specific about why the new place isn't appropriate. The hearing officer will assume because it was on the notice that it's appropriate, unless you say otherwise. Challenging them is not easy. Every family should have an elder law attorney, because all sorts of situations happen.
Watch on YouTube to see slides from Jim's presentation. Learn more about Jim Koewler at his website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We sign all sorts of paperwork when a senior loved one is admitted to a nursing home, assisted living, or memory care community. But often we don't know what we're signing. Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to explain exactly what we're signing, and helps us spot legal red flags in the paperwork.
This segment focuses on a care facility's threats to discharge or evict a loved one. These rules apply to communities that take Medicare or Medicaid, regardless of whether your loved one is using those programs. If they're private pay, if there's a problem along the way, these laws may still apply:
Must give 30 days advance notice, unless
- Resident's health has improved
- Resident hasn't yet been there for 30 days
- Health or Safety Emergency to anyone in the facility
- Medical Emergency for Resident (Hospitalization)
Must still give notice as early as is practical
The "health or safety emergency" is often used in cases where a resident has improperly touched or threatened others.
The notice of discharge must contain:
- Reason for proposed discharge
- Proposed date of discharge
- Proposed new care facility
- Right to a hearing and how to request it
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman contact information
The proposed new facility may not be the site where the loved one ends up going, because of circumstances that happen in the ensuing 30 days, but a site must be proposed.
While preparing to discharge:
- A new place must be able to meet care needs
- New place needs to agree to take the personNot necessarily at time of notice of dischargeRequired at time of actual discharge
- Old place must ensure a safe, orderly discharge
Given the threat of discharge to your residence, anyone challenging the discharge should say that your residence is unable to meet care needs, or else the hearing officer can assume whatever is on the notice is appropriate. They may say you have to come and take your loved one, but no, that is not a safe discharge. They have to make transportation arrangements.
The ombudsman should give you this information, but we don't know that they will, or how much they know. Services in the Seattle area such as Sound Generations and Homage Senior Services help seniors with discharges and qualifying for Medicaid. Reach out to your city or county departments of aging but
Watch on YouTube to see slides from Jim's presentation. Learn more about Jim Koewler at his website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to talk about the admissions paperwork we have to sign when a senior love one comes into a skilled nursing facility. Most nursing home and assisting living agreements now have a spot where they want someone else from the family to sign as "resident representative." Subject to federal rules:
Resident Representative:
- Promise to pay from resident's money
- Has "Sole" control of the resident's money
- "Volunteer" to guarantee payment
- Will take in resident if the nursing home discharges the senior loved one
The second point you're signing, that you have "sole" control of the resident's money, is often not the case. You may have the ability to spend mom's money as power of attorney, but you don't have sole control unless you're the guardian of their estate — your mom can still also spend her money. If you sign that, you've already lied. The admission person handing this for you to sign doesn't know the difference, but the nursing home's attorney knows it isn't true and has put it in there anyway.
The third part means if you sign this, you personally will be held accountable to pay bills. The fourth part meets state and federal rules for the nursing home to provide a save environment in case of discharge.
You don't want to agree to these items if you can avoid it. If there's a Medicaid mess-up, then you become responsible for the private pay of your loved one's care. This actually happened to Suzanne, who signed admission papers for her mom even though she wasn't her mom's power of attorney, because someone had to fill out the forms, and by signing, she "volunteered" to cover the bills.
How do you avoid this? Watch for it; cross it out. Or if you don't want to draw attention to that, sign your name with a comma, followed by POA. This means that you're signing this on behalf of the loved one, not as your individual self, which legally protects you from agreeing to consequences that affect you personally.
Suzanne urges anyone who's facing these situations to consult with an elder law attorney so they you can avoid the situation she found herself in.
Watch on YouTube to see slides from Jim's presentation. Learn more about Jim Koewler at his website.
Lead image © Can Stock Photo / aoo3771
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to talk about the admissions paperwork we have to sign when a senior love one comes into a skilled nursing facility. In part one, they talked about how the agreement should document what services are available that meet your loved one's needs. This segment focuses on aspects of the agreement that are subject to federal rules.
Under CMS rules, a place that takes Medicare and Medicaid:
- Can't demand giving up right to Medicaid, unless the facility doesn't accept Medicaid
- Can't demand a waver of personal property loss
- Arbitration Agreement: Resident can reject at signing, can rescind up to 40 days after signing
Watch on YouTube to see slides from Jim's presentation. Learn more about Jim Koewler at his website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This hour addresses all the paperwork — legal contracts — involved in a loved one's transition to senior living. Sometimes you're electronically signing your name and initialing a few signature blocks on an iPad, but you aren't shown the 50 related pages that are on the document you just signed. You're under the gun in an emergency and need to arrange for a care now, and you just assume you'll sign this, and mom or dad will be taken care of, and everything will be OK. Usually it is. Today we're talking about troublesome clauses that might be in the underlying contracts you were asked to sign with or for your loved one.
Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to showcase red flags to watch out for. They apply to nursing home, assisted living, and memory care admissions. First off, this agreement must document what services are available that meet your loved one's needs, and they must disclose limitations on service.
Watch on YouTube to see slides from Jim's presentation. Learn more about Jim Koewler at his website.
Lead image © Can Stock Photo / daisydaisy
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Amy Schenk, community engagement lead at the Neuropsychiatric Research Center of Southwest Florida, joins Suzanne courtesy of Athira Pharma to talk about handling caregiver anxiety and stress, and provides advice for caregivers. We have to focus on caregivers – if you were still working and your employer has a program assistance number, call the number. Another thing: if you're an only child, you'll be responsible for a senior loved one's care, but you'll also be in control of all the decisions. If there are many children in the family, that becomes challenging, so reach out to other people.
We all think at the start that "we can handle it alone, we're super." You're wrong: everyone needs help on this journey. How many times do people ask you, "if you need anything, just call" — that's nice, thinking you have a free minute – keep your sense of humor. What you want to do is write down all the things on your plate now that you think you might have help with, not that you should but that you might, and when people offer, you have already thought through what you need, even if it's to have a quiet chat once a week while you're spouse is sleeping. People who want to help you will help you. Learn more about the LIFT-AD Trial, a Phase 2 Study of an investigational drug for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and about the Neuropsychiatric Research Center.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Certified Dementia Practitioner Amy Schenk joins Suzanne from Cape Coral, Florida, courtesy of Athira Pharma to talk about the difference between normal memory issues as a result of aging and abnormal issues, and indicators to watch for. What happens to our brains as we age normally, as well as what happens when it's not so normal. If you are seeing things that are different in the person you're concerned about, things that make you think "That's not like them," listen to your intuition.
Learn more about the LIFT-AD Trial, a Phase 2 Study of an investigational drug for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and about the Neuropsychiatric Research Center.
Lead image courtesy of Pexels/Anna Shvets
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Amy Schenk, community engagement lead at the Neuropsychiatric Research Center of Southwest Florida, joins Suzanne courtesy of Athira Pharma to talk about cutting-edge clinical trials. She educates, represents, supports and encourages people to take care of their brains. They talk about the stress of caregiving and risks for Alzheimer's disease. Preventative measures that are good for your heart are also good for your brain. Adequate sleep, a good diet, and hydration are important. Set healthy boundaries for yourself as a caregiver.
Learn more about the LIFT-AD Trial, a Phase 2 Study of an investigational drug for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and about the Neuropsychiatric Research Center.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Certified Dementia Practitioner Amy Schenk joins Suzanne from Cape Coral, Florida, courtesy of Athira Pharma to talk about the impacts of the pandemic on families and people with Alzheimer’s disease. Amy also educates in both Assisted Living and Long Term Care environments.
Learn more about the LIFT-AD Trial, a Phase 2 Study of an investigational drug for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and about the Neuropsychiatric Research Center.
Lead image courtesy of Pexels/Marcelo Chagas
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This hour focuses on the major ways that senior homeowners can be taken advantage of through the process of selling their home. This final segment may surprise some listeners — one of the biggest sources of folks to take advantage of seniors are their own family members.
The family should be there, advocating and having a loved one's best interests in mind, but that's not always the case. Some of the worst offenses come from their own family. Suzanne is joined by Rebecca Bomann, CEO and founder of SASH Services, who provides some real examples and a couple of takeaways from this topic.
Click to learn more about Rebecca Bomann and SASH Services.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This segment elaborates on ways that seniors can be taken advantage of by unscrupulous real estate agents. Rebecca Bomann, CEO and founder of SASH Services, joins Suzanne to discuss this topic.
Rebecca has a lot of respect for her fellow agents, and there are a lot of really good real estate professionals in this industry. But like any industry, there are a few who are incompetent, insensitive, unscrupulous, or don't know how to address the special needs of senior home owners. Because they come in as a professional, with their license and business card, sometimes seniors don't think they need to be vetted and assume everything they do is above board. Unfortunately this isn't always true. Rebecca describes a few ways real estate agents can take advantage of a senior or be harmful to them in the sale of their home. Also, she provides advice for choosing a good agent, to interview multiple agents and make them earn your trust, and that a good broker explains everything you're signing.
Click to learn more about Rebecca Bomann and SASH Services.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This segment describes ways that unscrupulous house flippers and investors can take advantage of seniors. They're looking to get deals, to purchase a property for less than market value. But if you're 80 years old, hard of hearing, with family living out of town, and a flipper visits you using some of these strategies, it's disgraceful.
Rebecca Bomann, CEO and founder of SASH Services, joins Suzanne to describe various ways house flippers try to take advantage of seniors, as well as hot to offset this and protect yourself from these tactics.
Click to learn more about Rebecca Bomann and SASH Services.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This hour focuses on ways that senior homeowners can be taken advantage of during the process of selling their home. This is the sale of their biggest asset to be able to pay for their care for the rest of their life, which they may have lived in for many decades, and the biggest financial transaction of their retirement years.
Rebecca Bomann, CEO and founder of SASH Services, joins Suzanne to delve into this important topic for senior homeowners as well as their family members and caregivers. Everyone who knows a senior and has a senior loved one in their life will want to pay attention. We think it's important for people to know that this is a possibility, that folks can be vulnerable to this. We'll talk about ways that this can happen and how it can be prevented, with specific examples. The next segments focus on incidents that can happen specifically with home flippers & investors, real estate agents, and even family members.
Click to learn more about Rebecca Bomann and SASH Services.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne talks with Tracey Harvey at at Cadence Kent-Meridian in Kent, Washington. Everything they do from a life engagement perspective, they have some wonderful signature programs. Life engagement team members customize a program to meet the needs of residents.
Learn more about Cadence Kent-Meridian and Tracey Harvey.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne talks with Tracey Harvey and Chef Ray Canos, Culinary Director at Cadence Kent-Meridian in Kent, Washington. Ray runs the dining program and provides an overview of meals at the community.
For example, on the day the interview was recorded, breakfast was Eggs Benedict and the soup of the day was bean and bacon. Lunch was chicken quesadillas with homemade guacamole, homemade fresh corn salsa. Dinner was Chinese themed: grilled chicken teriyaki with jasmine rice, beef and broccoli with noodles, steamed bok choy and sauteed cabbage, with homemade lemon blueberry cake for dessert.
Learn more about Cadence Kent-Meridian and Tracey Harvey.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne talks with Tracey Harvey and Resident Services Director Navdeep K. at Cadence Kent-Meridian in Kent, Washington. Navdeep oversees the health and wellness and assisted living at the community. Learn more about Cadence Kent-Meridian and Tracey Harvey.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From studios, to one bedrooms and two bedroom apartments, Cadence Kent-Meridian in Kent, Washington is now open for residents. Suzanne talks with Tracey Harvey, Regional Vice President of Marketing & Strategic Planning, Northwest, about this shift in senior living. People want to have control, pursue their passions, and if they can, downsizing and making retirement plans.
Learn more about Cadence Kent-Meridian and Tracey Harvey.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to talk about presumptive qualifications for VA Compensation, particularly service during Vietnam, in which veterans are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange if certain disabilities have occurred.
At the 6 minute point, Jim talks about services administered through the health side of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the same group that runs the VA hospital. Available services include geriatric evaluation, adult day health care, respite care, and skilled home health care. There are also a number of services available, tied to being in a particular residence. They help support assisted living, residence at adult family homes, and others. To qualify, you have to qualify for VA Compensation or VA Pension, have to have income low enough to qualify, and if you don't qualify for some other government benefits.
You can see slides from this presentation on the YouTube video of this podcast. Learn more at http://www.protectingseniors.com or email Jim at jkoewler-afe@protectingseniors.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When qualifications are met, the Department of Veterans Affairs rates the level of disability, from 0 to 100 in increments of 10. The money received is based on that level. Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to talk about the money paid out for VA Compensation.
A single, 100% disabled veteran would qualify for $3,332.06/month in 2022, whereas for a married veteran the level is $3,517.84/month. A person's rating level can be appealed, and the money is adjusted for cost of living each December. On top of Compensation, a special monthly compensation can also be paid, and the money varies.
As of 2022, based on the level of difficulty, Compensation rates for surviving spouses is a maximum of $1,437.66/month. An additional $305.28/month is available if the veteran was totally disabled due to a service-related ailment for eight years. They qualify for an additional $306/month for two years after the veteran's death if they have minor children, plus $356.16/month additional per minor child. If the spouse qualifies for Aid & Attendance, they qualify for an additional $356.16/month or $166.85/month if the spouse is housebound.
You can see slides from this presentation on the YouTube video of this podcast. Learn more at http://www.protectingseniors.com or email Jim at jkoewler-afe@protectingseniors.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to talk about qualifying for the federal program known as VA Compensation.
There is also a Compensation program for surviving family members left behind when a veteran has died during their active service time or training in the military. There is no requirement for having to serve during wartime. There is special monthly compensation for a veteran or a surviving spouse, child, or parent who has certain disabilities or needs help with at least two activities of daily living: eating, walking, bathing, getting in and out of a bed/chair, cleaning up after going to the bathroom, grooming, dressing.
When qualifications are met, the Department of Veterans Affairs rates the level of disability, from 0 to 100 in increments of 10, which is up to the case manager. If the rating is 0, it was still established to be related to a service-related injury, and if the disability worsens later in life, you just have to demonstrate that it's worse, and the level could be raised.
You can see slides from this presentation on the YouTube video of this podcast. Learn more at http://www.protectingseniors.com or email Jim at jkoewler-afe@protectingseniors.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If someone in active military service is injured or becomes ill, or has some prior injury or illness exacerbated by their service, and later in life it results in a disability, then they're entitled to compensation. Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to talk about the benefits of this federal program run by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Compensation is available to certain veterans and certain surviving veteran family members. VA has a program Congress called Pension, in which a veteran or spouse qualifies, for serving in the military during a time of war, and who now need more health services than they can afford, if you qualify for Pension and you also need help with Activities of Daily Living, they can get Aid & Attendance on top of Pension. If you get Compensation, and also need help with Activities of Daily Living, you can also get Aid & Attendance on top of Compensation.
This is a disability program, not limited to people who served during a time of war the way that VA Pension is. Medical and personnel records are very important to show the disability occurring now is connected to something that goes back to their time in the military.
Before going into further details, Jim revisits some items he discussed about Pension in earlier podcasts, in particular accreditation and discharge papers. You'll want to request a copy of the discharge papers that the VA will see. For people have a dishonorable discharge, they may be able to get it changed.
You can see slides from this presentation on the YouTube video. Learn more at http://www.protectingseniors.com or email Jim at jkoewler-afe@protectingseniors.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On behalf of MorningStar of Beaverton, Suzanne speaks with resident and veteran Nick Hanks, who served in the United States Air Force for 20 years.
MorningStar of Beaverton is located at 14475 SW Barrows Rd, Beaverton, OR 97007. Learn more at their website or call (503) 966-5997.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne joins community relations associate Jasmine Sablan Taitano, an ambassador for MorningStar of Beaverton, in Beaverton, OR.
Jasmine grew up in a culture that respects and honors elders. When people visit and she gives them tours, she says they appreciate the welcoming staff and tell her that the atmosphere feels very homey and genuine. MorningStar is dedicated to providing carefree retirement years and creating a true home for their residents with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Though MorningStar is new to Beaverton, their team is highly experienced in serving seniors, understanding how to provide residents with a quality of life other assisted living communities simply cannot match.
MorningStar of Beaverton is located at 14475 SW Barrows Rd, Beaverton, OR 97007. Learn more at their website or call (503) 966-5997.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne joins assistant director of life enrichment Jeanice Harrington at MorningStar of Happy Valley, a senior living community outside of Portland, Oregon. Today they're talking about how to improve quality of life and bring joy to senior living residents at MorningStar every day.
One of Jeanice's favorite activities is leading an in-house Bible study hour with the community on Thursday mornings. It's an inclusive program for people of all faiths and backgrounds. They read a chapter per week, then discuss how it applies to our life today and what we can get out of it. She researches ahead of time to gear the conversation to the residents and what they're going through in their stage of life, and really make it personal for them. As we age, we look for connections that have more meaning in our lives. If you or a loved one is considering moving to a senior living community, come to one of their Bible studies. A lot of residents also invite their family members to come. MorningStar of Happy Valley is located at 14391 SE Princeton Village Way, Happy Valley, OR 97015.
Learn more about MorningStar of Happy Valley at their website at or call (503) 433-8668.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Encore Creativity provides arts and opportunities for those 55 and older through Encore Chorale and other programs. Encore University has a voice class, musicianship classes, even a drawing class.
Conductor Dr. Natalie Lerch joins Suzanne to talk about the Encore Chorale of Redmond. With the choir, there's no audition. Just come and sing, everyone's welcome. When you show up for rehearsal, you'll be checked in, encouraged to join, and then get together to have introductions and meet each other in a casual atmosphere. Then they'll talk about posture, do some breathing warmups, hand out packets of music, and then you start learning music right away. You can pick the part you want to sing, the part you feel comfortable singing.
This is an opportunity to bring more joy to your life. It's easy, it's fun, and it's something that we all deserve. Encore Chorale of Redmond meets Thursdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at The Church of the Holy Cross at 11526 162nd Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052. Learn more about Dr. Lerch, Encore Creativity, Encore Chorales, and The Church of the Holy Cross.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Encore Creativity for Older Adults is coming to the greater Puget Sound area. Conductor Dr. Natalie Lerch joins Suzanne to talk about Encore's program in Seattle.
Since receiving her DMA from the Eastman School of Music, Dr. Lerch has taught voice, diction, repertoire, pedagogy, chorus, chamber singers, chamber ensemble, opera and musical theater workshop, ear training, piano for voice teachers, and musicianship at Cornish College of the Arts.
Singing is about bringing the joy of doing it. Dr. Lerch will be starting the Encore Chorale of Redmond, meeting Thursdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at The Church of the Holy Cross in Redmond to share music. If you want to sing, join them. Beginners are welcome. You'll learn how to match pitch, learn how to listen, and how to blend. The church is at 11526 162nd Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052.
Learn more about Dr. Lerch, Encore Creativity, Encore Chorales, and The Church of the Holy Cross.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne shares her personal story about chorale singing at the time she lost her father. The sense of community from her choir helped prevent her from becoming isolated, supporting one another, a group that held her up and embraced her.
There is so much grief with seniors dealing with transitions, letting go of their homes, or perhaps lost someone during the pandemic. Joshua Vickery, CEO of Encore Creativity for Older Adults, joins Suzanne to talk about similar stories by members of the group. The power of music, being part of something bigger than yourself, transports you to another place away from those things that might be hurting you, or causing you stress or anxiety.
Learn more at their website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Encore Creativity for Older Adults is the nation's largest choral organization for adults over the age of 55. They are just now coming to the greater Seattle area.
Encore Creativity is a chorale celebration, bringing seniors together to sing and express themselves. Joshua Vickery, CEO of Encore Creativity, and local conductor Dr. Natalie Lerch join Suzanne to talk about the program. Based in Maryland, Encore has 15 Chorales and 6 Encore ROCKS rock & roll choruses in the metropolitan Baltimore-Washington area, as well as a chorale in New York City. Encore's newest program is the Sentimental Journey Singers (SJS) for individuals with early-stage Alzheimer's or other memory impairment. Encore has two SJS locations in Virginia. Through their Affiliate Program, they also have chorales in California, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Encore singers number nearly 2,000 across the country. Encore is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax exempt organization.
Learn more at their website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you're applying for Medicaid, what happens if they say you have "too much income?" Elder Law Attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to discuss this interesting scenario.
You would need to seek a lawyer, set up a qualified income trust, called a "Miller trust," and then you have to use that trust every month, in order to even qualify for Medicaid. Income is a monthly event, so watch your state's rules, which can be very complicated.
Learn more at http://www.protectingseniors.com or email Jim at jkoewler-afe@protectingseniors.com.
Lead image: courtesy of Pexels/Rodnae Productions
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you are a married couple, what happens to your income as a Medicaid applicant? Elder Law Attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to answer this question.
They must be married; some states recognize common law marriage, others not. The income of the well spouse does not get to be used under Medicaid rules to pay the expenses of the ill spouse. That doesn't mean that a nursing home might not try. If the ill spouse has more income than the well spouse, things get complicated — the ill spouse may have to share some of their income to the well spouse to use. If the well spouse's housing costs are greater than "average," they may get to have more of the ill spouse's income.
Learn more at http://www.protectingseniors.com or email Jim at jkoewler-afe@protectingseniors.com.
Lead image: courtesy of Pexels/Marcus Aurelius
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you are a single Medicaid applicant, what happens to your income? Almost every dollar is accounted for in the Medicaid rules. Elder Law Attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to talk about where can you expect that money to go.
Talking in generalities, regarding income for a single person, a person's income is used first, before Medicaid dollars. There are three places where money is usually going to go: 1) your personal needs allowance (spending money); 2) rent if you're in an assisted living community; and 3) health insurance premiums. Whatever's left goes to pay the costs of care so Medicaid doesn't have to.
Learn more at http://www.protectingseniors.com or email Jim at jkoewler-afe@protectingseniors.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elder Law Attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to talk about how Medicaid and other long-term care situations handle retirees who continue to receive income the rest of their lives. Income payments can come from Social Security retirement benefits, disability benefits, pension payments, VA pension payments, annuity payments, or income from rental properties.
Learn more at http://www.protectingseniors.com or email Jim at jkoewler-afe@protectingseniors.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne joins executive director Janet Sederquist at Kirkland, Washington’s new MorningStar of Kirkland to talk about this over55 independent living community. The process of elder care can be a daunting, overwhelming task, whether for yourself or a loved one, and their doors are always open to help.
Visit MorningStar of Kirkland's website or call 425-979-5626 to learn more.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne joins concierge Lolly Bruschere at Kirkland, Washington’s new MorningStar of Kirkland senior living community.
As a faith-based organization, MorningStar puts humanity, faith, and ethics first. Everyone is welcome regardless of their personal faith, and residents are treated like family. The lifestyle focuses on quality of life, so you don't really have to leave to enjoy life, though the community is also in a great location near restaurants and a grocery store. There's a theater hall, dining hall, pool, gym, and bistro. Saturdays they have board games, cards, and TED Talks.
Visit MorningStar of Kirkland's website or call 425-979-5626 to learn more.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne joins director of hospitality Karin Hirsch at Kirkland, Washington’s new MorningStar of Kirkland senior living community.
Karin is responsible for resident satisfaction, so she knows the families and residents to serve them best. She coordinates their move-in process, connects them with other residents, makes sure they're happy, gets them involved in activities, and acts as their point of contact for any needs they have.
Visit MorningStar of Kirkland's website or call 425-979-5626 to learn more.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne joins community relations director Jennifer Graham at Kirkland, Washington’s new MorningStar of Kirkland senior living community.
If you're thinking of downsizing, consider this new over-55 independent living community. The vibe here is like having a daily vacation, or being on a cruise ship. The location is excellent, near walking trails, walking distance from Fred Meyer grocery, and there's a dog park a block away. It's a modern take on the Pacific Northwest. There's a workout gym, hair salon, indoor pool, fresh dining, movie theater, and more. They have a primary care physician, dentist and urgent care dispatch help that will come if you don't want to wait in a waiting room because of COVID.
Visit MorningStar of Kirkland's website or call 425-979-5626 to learn more.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne joins Community Relations & Marketing Director Tanya Hilson to talk about the The Cottages of Renton, a CarePartners Senior Living community just for seniors who have dementia and Alzheimer's.
The layout is unique. Each Cottage opens and exits into an expansive but secure outside interior courtyard allowing residents the freedom to safely stroll, exercise and enjoy open spaces among landscaped walkways and surroundings. The memory care community offers three small, cozy cottages, each with a maximum of 20 residents. This design concept allows them to provide senior loved ones with personal attention they deserve in a familiar, intimate, calm and safe environment. Each cottage is self-contained with its own kitchen, dining room, laundry, living room area with fireplace and private resident rooms.
Learn more about the Cottages of Renton on their website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne joins direct of nursing Melanie Caoagas for the grand opening weekend at Vineyard Park of Covington in Covington, WA.
Melanie oversees the physical health and wellness of the residents: giving them medications, keeping communications with doctors and families, customizing their care plans, and keeping residents informed. The community's assisted living options offer personalized assistance, supportive services and compassionate care in a professionally managed, carefully designed, retirement community setting. It's for seniors who can no longer live on their own, but don’t need 24-hour, complex medical supervision. They have a move-in special: if you move in during August, your deposit is waived.
Learn more about Vineyard Park of Covington on their website or call 253-480-7050.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne joins Community Relations Director Keith Roberts at Vineyard Park of Covington in Covington, WA to talk about the details of assisted living.
For example, if mom is fine but dad needs help, they have a bonded pairs program where they can come and live together. The care can be provided for dad, mom can live independently, and we'll have an individualized care plan specifically tailored to dad's needs. And if dad ever needed memory care, and it started to not be safe for him to stay here at Vineyard Park, we could literally move him across the parking lot and he can stay with us in memory care as well. She can go visit him whenever she wants, plus she can take him out for activities on this side. There are so many options... if she needed to go to the grocery store, or just needed a little break, she can bring him back. There aren't many options like that in the state of Washington.
Learn more about Vineyard Park of Covington on their website or call 253-480-7050.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne joins Community Relations Director Keith Roberts for the grand opening weekend at Vineyard Park of Covington in Covington, WA.
Assisted living is a whole new ball game these days because you have so many amenities: you get the theater, you get the activities, you get the best of everything. Being able to come into a community, know you're going to be cared for, have activities, be able to socialize with folks who are on the same journey as you, make new friends, establish new close bonds, and have a good experience and live with dignity for the rest of your life.
Learn more about Vineyard Park of Covington on their website or call 253-480-7050.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne joins activities director Chelsea Hansen for the grand opening weekend at Vineyard Park of Covington in Covington, WA.
All sorts of things are happening during the grand opening, with various stations set up throughout the building showcasing events, activities, food, and live music with a Hawaiian theme. Vineyard Park has a host of clubs, plus Bingo, karaoke, a weekly social event, movie night, a monthly birthday dinner, men's poker night, and ladies night, with family as well as residents welcome.
Learn more about Vineyard Park of Covington on their website or call 253-480-7050.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elena Cuevas, Regional VP of Sales, joins Suzanne to talk about what it's like to live at MorningStar. They talk about independent and assisted living at MorningStar Senior Living's SilverLake community near Everett, Washington. Learn more about MorningStar Senior Living at SilverLake at their website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As a way of saying thank you to their veterans, MorningStar Senior Living will be having a special salute for Veterans this July. Elena Cuevas, Regional VP of Sales, joins Suzanne to talk about MorningStar's veterans support. They offer $100/month off rent for veterans and their spouses, and MorningStar also partners with Outerlife Financial to provide additional support through access to Veterans Aid and Attendance programs. When you're with your peers, you adjust better to a senior living community.
Learn more about MorningStar Senior Living at SilverLake at their website. Schedule a personalized tour at 503-855-0818.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elena Cuevas, Regional VP of Sales, joins Suzanne to talk about MorningStar Senior Living community in SilverLake near Everett, Washington. In this segment, Elena talks about MorningStar's origins and what makes it special with its faith-based focus on ethics and values. They create enriching environments that residents want to participate with. Learn more about MorningStar Senior Living at their website.
Learn more about MorningStar Senior Living at SilverLake at their website. Schedule a personalized tour at 503-855-0818.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
MorningStar Senior Living community in SilverLake near Everett, Washington is having a reopening special weekend that celebrates veterans. Elena Cuevas, Regional VP of Sales, returns to introduce the program with Suzanne.
July 7-9, from 1-4, they're introducing renovations while appreciating veterans. Their bistro will be themed for West Point, the activity room will be the Colorado Air Force station with some giveaways and collateral, model apartments themed for Hawaii, then downstairs to the theater room which is themed for California's Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton with glitz and Hollywood glamour, then the last station in the patio area is themed for Naval Station Everett with BBQ and Northeastern delicacies.
Learn more about MorningStar Senior Living at SilverLake at their website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne to talk more about the Bill of Rights of senior living. After reviewing the first 16 rights, they talk about the final four of the 20 rights.
-
To be free of retaliation after they have exercised their rights provided by law or rule.
-
To have a safe and home-like environment.
-
To be free of discrimination in regards to race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.
-
To receive proper notification if requested to move out of the facility or community, and be required to move out only for reasons stated in the 50-state assisted living facilities law.
Learn more about CarePartners at their website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne talks more about the 20 Bill of Rights for senior living residents with Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living, a code of conduct that all senior living communities have to follow by law. Residents have a right to their money, to be involved and have access to what's theirs. If they think their care plan isn't being followed, or a caregiver is being rude, they have a right to speak their mind without fearing repercussions.
-
To manage personal/financial affairs unless legally restricted.
-
To have access to, and participate in, social activities.
-
To be encouraged and assisted in exercising your rights as a citizen.
-
To be free of any written contract or agreement language with the facility or community that purports to waive their rights or the facility's liability for negligence.
-
To voice grievances and suggest changes in policies and services to either staff or outside representatives without fear of retaliation.
Learn more about CarePartners at their website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne to talk about the Bill of Rights for senior living residents. The Bill of Rights has 20 items, spelling out basic rights to be yourself, to not restrain you, to feel safe in your home, and to not feel like they are being taken advantage of financially. As a matter of privacy, some communities do not dispense medications in the dining room. In this segment, Suzanne and Kelley discuss items 6-11.
-
To be free from neglect, financial exploitation, and verbal/mental/physical/sexual abuse.
-
To receive services in a manner that protects privacy and dignity.
-
To have prompt access to review all of their records and be given photocopies. Photocopies must be promptly provided but in no case require more than two business days, excluding the weekend and holidays.
-
To have medical and other records kept confidential except as otherwise provided by law.
-
To associate and communicate privately with any individual of choice, to send and receive personal mail unopened, and to have reasonable access to the private use of a telephone.
-
To be free from physical restraints and inappropriate use of psychoactive medications.
Learn more about CarePartners at their website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne joins Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living to learn about the 20 Bill of Rights for Senior Residents. One reason people are hesitant to move into assisted living is a fear of losing autonomy — they believe someone's going to tell them when to get up, when to go to bed, when to eat dinner — and who wants to live like that? Every community with senior living type of license has a resident Bill of Rights. In this segment, Suzanne and Kelley discuss the first five rights:
- To be treated with dignity and respect.
- To be given informed choices and opportunities to select or refuse service and accept responsibility for the consequences.
- To participate in their initial care service plan and any revisions or updates at the time changes occur.
- To receive information about the method for evaluating their service needs and assessing the costs for their services provided.
- To exercise their individual rights that do not infringe upon others or the rights or safety of others.
Learn more about CarePartners at their website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Athira Pharma has a drug trial right now for patients that potentially could treat people with any type of degenerative brain disease. It is being tested now with people who have Alzheimer's disease in mid stages and also with people who have Lewy body disease and Parkinson's disease. The medication speeds up thinking and processing and a long-term effect of increasing connections between brain cells.
Suzanne Newman talks with Dr. Michael Mega, Director of the Center for Cognitive Health in Portland, Oregon. The center helps patients maximize their cognitive function as they cope with Alzheimer's disease and disorders of thinking.
To participate in a trial like this, they need to have a study partner, somebody who is with them for at least 10 hours a week to observe how they function throughout the day. A close friend, adult child or spouse. Also they must be stable on their medications. Their study partner has noted thinking or memory changes in them suggesting the possibility that they may not be able to live safely on their own. The trial is blinded, so there is a 33% chance that during the six-month trial the would get a placebo, or a low-dose version, or a high-dose version of the medication. After the six-month trial, they can continue and be guaranteed to get the hi-dose version of the medicine.
Learn more at the Center for Cognitive Health. Visit shapetrial.com to learn about a trial for Parkinson's Disease Dementia. Visit lift-adtrial.com to learn about the LIFT-AD Alzheimer's Disease trial. You can also learn about trials taking place at the Center for Cognitive Health in Portland. Brought to you courtesy of Athira Pharma.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This segment focuses on medical diagnoses for Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's. The field is rapidly changing. We now have biological markers for Alzheimer's: mis-folded proteins in the brain is the common thread for all degenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Lou Gehrig's disease, and frontotemporal degeneration Pick's Disease. Being able to visualize these in PET scans (Positron Emission Tomography) lets us make a definitive diagnosis 15 years before someone begins having memory problems.
Suzanne Newman talks with Dr. Michael Mega, Director of the Center for Cognitive Health in Portland, Oregon. The center helps patients maximize their cognitive function as they cope with Alzheimer's disease and disorders of thinking.
Blood tests are also being developed to measure the amount of these proteins in the brain that leak out through cerebral-spinal fluid into the blood, which will identify people on the Alzheimer's trajectory.
Many types of treatments are being developed to stop the mis-folding and deposition of plaque in the brain, as well as the mis-folding and deposition of tangles in the brain. The goal is that people would be able to take a blood test during their yearly physical, and if they're identified as being on the trajectory, we could then institute disease-modifying drugs to keep them from getting Alzheimer's if they haven't developed memory problems.
Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's look the same in terms of the mid-folded proteins. It's where the proteins are deposited that produces different manifestations of these diseases. If these proteins are deposited on the brain stem or subcortical structures, and produce damage, those manifest as slowness in moving, tremors, as well as gait and balance difficulty. If they proteins are primarily deposited on cortical structures as well as the brain stem, that produces more cognitive issues, resulting in problem-solving difficulties, visual-spacial issues, hallucinations, as well as fluctuations in attention. If they have three of the following — a REM-behavioral sleep disturbance where you act out your dreams during your sleep, visual hallucinations while awake, fluctuations in attention or alertness, and neuroleptic sensitivity — as well as a family member who says the person cannot safely live alone, we would diagnose Lewy body dementia. That's different for Parkinson's patients, where only 50 percent will develop a thinking problem where their family says they no longer safe. Most patients don't have thinking problems in the beginning stages of the disease. So the clinical distinction is stark even though the pathology is due to the same mis-folded protein.
Learn more at the Center for Cognitive Health. Visit shapetrial.com to learn about a trial for Parkinson's Disease Dementia. Visit lift-adtrial.com to learn about the LIFT-AD Alzheimer's Disease trial. You can also learn about trials taking place at the Center for Cognitive Health in Portland. Brought to you courtesy of Athira Pharma.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne Newman is joined by Dr. Michael Mega, Director of the Center for Cognitive Health in Portland, Oregon. The center helps patients maximize their cognitive function as they cope with Alzheimer's disease and disorders of thinking. Dr. Mega answers: How do you tell the difference between normal age-related forgetfulness and the beginnings of Alzheimer's?
When we go the grocery store and have a shopping list in mind, but can't recall the last few items because we left the written list at home, that's normal. But Alzheimer's disease has a distinct memory issue: a failure to learn new information. If you repeatedly ask the same question, and are unable to learn the answer no matter how many times you hear it, that is abnormal.
A quick test that is very sensitive is naming as many animals as you can think of in a minute. Most 75 year olds with at least a high-school education can name 18 different animals or more. It's a very good test of language function and the speed of processing, in terms of searching the lexicon of words in our brain. We also test by giving people a list of random words and them asking them to repeat the list. A normal 85 year old will come up with seven of those words. If it’s less than three, that's abnormal.
Even in our 80s or 90s, we should be able to learn new information, even if we can be forgetful or have problems retrieving that information.
For dementia to be a factor, we ask a family member whether their function is so impaired that they are no longer safe living by themselves. The failure to be able to live safely independently is the definition of dementia. Dementia is not a disease, it's a functional state. Being able to do our shopping, pay bills, not burn down the house, and keep the shysters at bay is normal.
Dementia can come from many sources: vitamin deficiencies, stroke, tumors, head trauma, Alzheimer's disease, or Parkinson's disease. It can be caused by a reversible thyroid problem, or a reversible nutritional deficiency.
Learn more at the Center for Cognitive Health. Visit shapetrial.com to learn about a trial for Parkinson's Disease Dementia. Visit lift-adtrial.com to learn about the LIFT-AD Alzheimer's Disease trial. You can also learn about trials taking place at the Center for Cognitive Health in Portland. Brought to you courtesy of Athira Pharma. Brought to you courtesy of Athira Pharma .
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This special live event celebrates the June 18 opening of MorningStar Senior Living in Hillsboro, Oregon. In this segment, Suzanne Newman joins Camillo Hart, Community Relations Assistant, to talk about the opening of this vital, fresh, fun community. Independent living is for people who no longer want to cook, take care of laundry, dishes, and other chores. It's really a lifestyle choice for people over 55, they have so many options, and it's a carefree lifestyle, like a cruise ship on land, with so many opportunities for things to do. It's living authentically, letting you be yourself, while sharing a sense of community. Schedule a tour! For folks outside the Portland, Oregon area, MorningStar has communities from the midwest through the Pacific states. Find a community near you at MorningStar Senior Living.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This special live event celebrates the June 18 opening of MorningStar Senior Living in Hillsboro, Oregon. In this segment, Suzanne Newman joins Emily Hoover, Life Enrichment Director, to talk about the opening. Hoover oversees activities and events at the community, working with residents to create events they love and want to participate in and engage in, and finding the things that people love and help them grow their passions, whether it's something new or something they've done for a really long time. She also helps with private events like book clubs, garden clubs, Bible studies, and hopes to build a community outreach club that works with food banks, local schools to have a volunteer program. It's important for seniors to have social interactions because our brains need successful community stimulation, and it’s important to have that purpose in their life and feel loved while doing it. Schedule a tour! For folks outside the Portland, Oregon area, MorningStar has communities from the midwest through the Pacific states. Find a community near you at MorningStar Senior Living.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This special live event celebrates the June 18 opening of MorningStar Senior Living in Hillsboro, Oregon. In this segment, Suzanne Newman joins Matt Ryan, Executive Director of MorningStar.
Ryan says everything they do comes from the heart, that it's everything that they tell you it is. He just did a tour with a family member who lost her husband recently and is going through a lot of change, facing transitions, and needs help figuring that all out, and we went on a tour. “When you have somebody who can give you a hug and tell you that you answered a lot of their questions and helped them sort out things, you know that you're making a difference. That is why I love this job.”
Schedule a tour! For folks outside the Portland, Oregon area, MorningStar has communities from the midwest through the Pacific states. Find a community near you at MorningStar Senior Living.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This special live event celebrates the June 18 opening of MorningStar Senior Living in Hillsboro, Oregon. In this segment, Suzanne Newman joins Maurea Kyioi, the Business Office Manager, who hires staff and is in charge of billing.
There's a misconception that a senior living environment like MorningStar is too expensive, but it's not really that expensive when you consider all of the amenities. You're not just renting a room, you're renting the whole building. Housekeeping services, laundry, pool, exercise room, restaurant meals, and utilities are all inclusive. Many over-55 people are sitting at home burdened with chores, maintenance, repairs, new roofs, and those things add up. From $3,600/month, MorningStar offers studios, one bedrooms and two bedrooms.
Schedule a tour! For folks outside the Portland, Oregon area, MorningStar has communities from the midwest through the Pacific states. Find a community near you at MorningStar Senior Living.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This special live event celebrates the June 18 opening of MorningStar Senior Living in Hillsboro, Oregon. In this segment, Executive Chef/Dining Room Manager Darrin Bristol joins Suzanne Newman. Bristol finds it fulfilling and rewarding to to work in a senior living environment. At the end of the day, he makes the food he loves, but it has more meaning, and makes a difference. At this independent living community, he enjoys being able to create a restaurant-style experience in this "upscale retirement living" atmosphere that is similar to what you'd find in a hotel or country club restaurant. Just like a restaurant, they accommodate common special diets like gluten free or vegetarian. They don't offer a diabetic menu, but they can offer appropriate foods for a diabetic person to make those choices on their own. Specials keep it interesting for everyone, and works in meals that residents love.
Schedule a tour! For folks outside the Portland, Oregon area, MorningStar has communities from the midwest through the Pacific states. Find a community near you at MorningStar Senior Living.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This special live event celebrates the June 18 opening of MorningStar Senior Living in Hillsboro, Oregon. In this segment, Maintenance Director Adam Ortega joins Suzanne Newman to talk about opening the brand new retirement community.
He also helped open MorningStar’s Kirkland community, and talks about getting creative with helping senior residents make room for special collections, or knocking down walls — whatever helps them feel at home and help feed their passions when transitioning to senior living.
People have a perception that they'll lose their freedom and identity in senior living, but that's not the case at MorningStar. Ortega handles everything from hanging TV sets, making extra shelves, adding closet systems, and more.
Schedule a tour! For folks outside the Seattle area, MorningStar has communities from the midwest through the Pacific states. Find a community near you at MorningStar Senior Living.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tracey Harvey from Cadence Living in Kent, Washington joins Suzanne Newman to talk about transitions to maintain health and vitality for our senior loved ones.
Making a transition now, before a crisis or illness, puts more power and control into their equation. Active aging with key amenities helps seniors warm to the idea. Quality of life, vibrancy, vitality, and fitness are key focuses now, to manage wellness over illness in a holistic way. Stepping through and learning more about living in a community like this helps us stay engaged.
Right now area seniors 60+ can join Cadence’s In-Tune Tuesdays fitness class. A move-in special — a founder's club membership — gives residents their birthday month free for two years, pet fees are waived, and the second person occupancy fee is waived the first year. Studio pricing starts at $3,150/month. Cadence at Kent-Meridian is located at 25035 104th Ave SE, Kent, WA 98030. Learn more at (253) 549-9300 or at their website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
MorningStar Senior Living looks forward to the opening of a new community for the Greater Portland area in Hillsboro, Washington. Executive Director Matt Ryan and Vice President of Sales Development Jordana Jobanputra join Suzanne to talk about this brand new community.
Learn more at the community’s website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Foundational principles of wellness, part 7: Eating right, walking, movement, balance, using our core. It's more than lifting weights and exercise. So many seniors living alone don't eat right, can't cook or do the things that contribute to a good quality of life, and resort to leftovers, fast food and TV dinners.
MorningStar Senior Living offers a diverse menu like you'd find in a restaurant, accommodated to particular needs of their residents to keep them healthy, and offering a well-balanced diet. Physical, occupational and speech therapy is available to all residents through a third-party, and exercise programs such as yoga, strength and balance, slim and fit, and others, aided by an onsite physical instructor.
Recorded at MorningStar Senior Living at Silver Lake in Everett, Washington, Suzanne Newman and Elena Cuevas, Regional VP of Sales, talk about this foundational principles of wellness. Watch this segment on YouTube. Learn more at MorningStar's website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Foundational principles of wellness, part 6: Knowledge, learning, growing, critical thinking, and challenging one's beliefs are honored at MorningStar Senior Living as part of intellectual wellness.
Everyone is different, and getting together in groups to talk about current events and critical issues in the world in a respectful way engages and uses our minds. MorningStar also hosts book clubs to exercise mental muscles. Recorded at MorningStar Senior Living at Silver Lake in Everett, Washington, Suzanne Newman and Elena Cuevas, Regional VP of Sales, talk about this foundational principles of wellness.
Watch this show on YouTube. Learn mo re at MorningStar's website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Foundational principles of wellness, part 5: Recorded at MorningStar Senior Living at Silver Lake in Everett, Washington, Suzanne Newman continues her conversation with Elena Cuevas, Regional VP of Sales, about the foundational principles of wellness.
Previous talks have focused on emotional wellness, being able to engage with others and feel good about our decisions; environmental wellness, having an aesthetically pleasing, inviting, safe and secure home; social wellness and relationships; and occupational wellness, which helps us derive a sense of purpose in our lives.
This segment focuses on spiritual wellness — feeling connected to a higher power and a higher belief system — which brings ourselves closer to our core principles and beliefs, and how MorningStar Living brings out spiritual wellness in its residents. Learn more at MorningStar's website.
Watch this segment on YouTube.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
MorningStarSenior Living's operations specialist John Jaeger joins Suzanne Newman to talk about MorningStar's corporate culture and higher purpose for helping communities through their various outreach programs. Transformation is possible, living a life of service serving seniors and others in their communities helps them as well as providing a sense of satisfaction and contentment. Learn more at the MorningStar Foundation website.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How should money be spent during a senior loved one's move? It's very emotional and sensitive time, with parents and their adult children having different perspectives and agendas.
Rebecca Bomann, the CEO of SASH Services, and Suzanne Newman talk about these perspectives. Adult children are worried about the parents' money lasting long enough for their care. They worry that they might have to mortgage their own home in a few years to pay for their Mom's care. Unless parents have set aside a nest egg, it's a concern because the cost of care is so high that proceeds from a home sale might only pay for care for a handful of years. Sometimes they don't want their parent to sell the home because they expect that home to be there for them when their loved one passes away.
Meanwhile, what's best for Mom in her situation? She's alone, doesn't see friends, needs social activities, needs medical care, the home has become too much to care for, and the home needs to be sold to fund further care. Sometimes mom intends to bequeath her home to her family, and she places her sense of duty above her own care.
Rebecca founded SASH Services (Sell a Senior Home) in 2005 as a blend of real estate, senior care, and social work to provide seniors and their families with home-sale options that are not typical, that are designed around their needs. SASH provides specialized services that lift the selling burden off the senior homeowner and their family while maximizing what can be earned from the home. SASH serves most of western Washington in the Pacific Northwest. If you're out of state, they can steer you to a qualified professional in your area. Find more at the SASH Services website or call 888-400-SASH.
Who helps Mom through the sorting, packing and moving process? Everyone is well-meaning. Some Moms expect that their adult children will take four months' leave from work to go through every box, glass, and cross-stitch, remembering back to when family did that for each other. Many of today's adult children can't imagine how they'd be able to take leave from their job, travel out of state, and pay for a flight to sort through decades of household items – they're overwhelmed by that idea, and it causes tension in the relationship. Their perspective is that a professional downsizer could do that, as they're often already handing their loved one's paperwork and finances. Mom is stressed and feels she needs her children by her side during this challenging time and advocate for her – “what else could be more important than helping me through this major life event?” They feel hurt and abandoned when their child isn't the one helping.
Some adult children want to help. Rebecca Bomann, the CEO of SASH Services, and Suzanne Newman provide their best advice: Don't do it. Outsource it. Only do it if you want to throw a grenade into family relationships. Let professionals be the bad guy. Let them say you can't take seven lamps to your new apartment, let them say your couch won't fit in the new space, let them bring their strong backs and haul that china cabinet down the stairs.
This is an investment in the sale of the house, as an uncluttered house will sell for more money, and you'll recoup the cost. Or the items could be sold to pay for movers and professionals.
How do you choose professionals for this process? Mom sees this as an overwhelming, scary, unknown process, so she wants people who will be nice to her, won't judge her for the house's condition, won't scold her for not having kept up on the back yard maintenance, who are going to be kind and compassionate. So she decides based on comfort and familiarity, on how polite they are, even if those people are incompetent and don't know how to pack glassware.
The pragmatic adult child — already the caregiver, bookkeeper, and overall emotional supporter — has a system. They ask friends for recommendations, get Google reviews, read websites, check social media, might call and ask prospective clients a list of questions. They take a clinical and systematic approach to finding someone competent and affordable to do the task.
Neither perspective is wrong – they're both right. Rebecca recommends that adult children select a number of professionals, all of whom they'd be comfortable with hiring. Let Mom interview them and choose the one she likes best. This gives Mom dignity and agency — lets her own the decision — while helping her choosing from among the best candidates.
Rebecca founded SASH Services (Sell a Senior Home) in 2005 as a blend of real estate, senior care, and social work to provide seniors and their families with home-sale options that are not typical, that are designed around their needs. SASH provides specialized services that lift the selling burden off the senior homeowner and their family while maximizing what can be earned from the home. SASH serves most of western Washington in the Pacific Northwest. If you're out of state, they can steer you to a qualified professional in your area. Find more at the SASH Services website or call 888-400-SASH.
Adult children and their aging parents have wildly differing perspectives on moving. In this segment, Rebecca Bomann, the CEO of SASH Services, and Suzanne Newman talk about building a bridge to understanding each others' perspectives when it comes to the senior loved one's pet, which befuddles many adult children.
Adult children are thinking of a monthly budget, trying to make funds last as long as possible, and are concerned about how that's affected by an animal's daily care, walks, feeding, medication, and vet care. They think that Mom could have moved to one community for $3,500 a month, but she's going to spend $2,000 a month more so she can keep her dog, and they have trouble understanding why. They think: why not go without the dog and spend less money?
Mom, however, sees the pet as a family member who gives joy, love, companionship, and comfort. Moving already means giving up everything else — home, neighborhood, rose bushes, vehicles, plants, porch. If moving means parting from my dog or cat, my heart will be broken, so I'm never moving.
Don't fight parents on this – it is too important to your senior loved one.
Rebecca founded SASH Services (Sell a Senior Home) in 2005 as a blend of real estate, senior care, and social work to provide seniors and their families with home-sale options that are not typical, that are designed around their needs. SASH provides specialized services that lift the selling burden off the senior homeowner and their family while maximizing what can be earned from the home. SASH serves most of western Washington in the Pacific Northwest. If you're out of state, they can steer you to a qualified professional in your area. Find more at the SASH Services website or call 888-400-SASH.
When it's time for a senior loved one's downsizing, their adult children may not quite understand or relate to the parents' perspective earned from living 50 years in their home as they see more pragmatic concerns about home repairs and time-consuming chores, and want to schedule moving deadlines based on available free time.
Rebecca Bomann, the CEO of SASH Services, and Suzanne Newman talk about how to do right by our parents while helping them transition from a long-standing residence in their home to senior living. Adult children have a much different perspective than their parents, and it often causes painful conflicts. Rebecca encourages each party to use empathy, compassion and understanding, take time to listen to each other's perspectives so families can remain healthy after the stressful transition. Remember the big goal: it's not about who gets the spoon collection.
Household items are a good example. Mom's sees every item as having valuable memories, happy times, a reflection of the events in her life, and when she leaves, she wants to bequeath each item to a specific family member who will enthusiastically take it and appreciate it. Adult children see older items that they don't have room for.
Use kind words to describe the belongings. These are collections, belongings, household items that are going to a new home, not "stuff" or "junk." Encourage Mom to give items to displaced families, immigrants who have fled their countries, or women who have fled abusive situations — people who could really use Tupperware sets and lamps; donate these items to Habitat for Humanity, for example. Or maybe sell a few items to help buy new ones for the new apartment. Let senior loved ones talk about these items of significance.
This is not the time to say that we've heard the story before; we don't have time to hear it again. Let them share — listen to the story — because it's part of letting go.
Rebecca founded SASH Services (Sell a Senior Home) founded in 2005 as a blend of real estate, senior care, and social work to provide seniors and their families with home-sale options that are not typical, that are designed around their needs. SASH provides specialized services that lift the selling burden off the senior homeowner and their family while maximizing what can be earned from the home. SASH serves most of western Washington in the Pacific Northwest. If you're out of state, they can steer you to a qualified professional in your area. Find more at the SASH Services website or call 888-400-SASH.
When talking to an elder law attorney, what questions should you ask about spend downs, and what questions you should be prepared to answer? If you have the power of attorney for a senior loved one, how do you start the conversation with the family about their assets, and how do you best navigate this with them? Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne Newman to answer these questions.
Many people have false assumptions about Medicaid. The biggest question is how much care is needed. Most people don't think they want assisted living, but also don't realize the family burdens this creates to provide them with 24/7 care forever. This is an unrealistic expectation, because the quantity of care eventually exceeds caregiver ability, and the person receiving care then struggles when they aren't getting the support they need.
Start the conversation with, "I want to try to keep you home, but what happens when I don't think I can any more?" That is a difficult question to ask, but it has to be asked.
What next? Unless the caregiver is an RN with long-term care experience, explain that you're not an expert with the type of care they may eventually need, so seek out a geriatric care manager. Go to https://www.aginglifecare.org and search for one near you. Tell your family that you need to gain some expertise on what your loved one is likely to need down the road. Make a care plan with professional input.
Find out what's expected of you: what kind of care your loved one wants. Make sure you have power of attorney, so medical personnel can talk to you about their care. Your caregiver should have general power of attorney for you — if they're caring for you, empower them to pay for your care.
Even if care isn't needed yet, notification of power of attorney should be given to banks and investment houses so legal departments have time to look over the legal documents. Don't put this off until an emergency arises, as you don't have to have to wait for legal reviews in order to get funds.
For spend downs, you have to ask about, and know about your loved one's assets.
Jim Koewler addresses later-life financial and legal issues. Talk to an elder law attorney to guide you in your state with your situation. Learn more at Answers for Elders or at Jim's website.
How do you take care of your spouse if you need long term care now? What can you do with your money if your spouse is still at home? Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne Newman to answer these questions, by spending down your money to access Medicaid and VA benefits.
In the previous two segments, Jim talked about financial eligibility for married couples for VA pension benefits and Medicaid, and some of the ways to make eligibility to "spend down" when you're single or married. Part 3 focuses on some specific things you can do when you're married, you need long term care now, and your spouse is relatively healthy by comparison.
What can you do to spend down? Depending on whether it's VA benefits or Medicaid, your assets also include real estate, rental property, stocks, and bonds. IRAs are extremely complicated and in flux. As far as initial eligibility goes, you can keep your house. With Medicaid, one vehicle is exempt, even a mobile home, even if you can't drive. Household goods like a fridge don't count, but if your decorations include a Picasso or bars of gold, those would count. Cash-value annuities and cash-value life insurance policies count toward your assets — If you can sell it to pay for your care, it counts. Listen to hear specific details.
If a spouse is still living at home, first make quality-of-life purchases (extra dentures, lift chair, extra eyeglasses) and pre-pay funerals for you and your spouse. Then, if the house needs a new roof or the spouse wants a new living room, or bathroom remodel, as long as the purchase is for equivalent levels of value, it's allowed. An aging-in-place remodel is appropriate even if you're not living in the house, as it can help the spouse stay in the house longer.
Depending on your state of residence, you may be able to sell assets for cash and purchase an annuity that pays to the healthy spouse. Specifically you would want a Medicaid-compliant annuity with equal monthly payments for a fixed term. This would count as spousal income, and such income isn't considered part of the assets needed to pay down.
Jim Koewler addresses later-life financial and legal issues. Talk to an elder law attorney to guide you in your state with your situation. Learn more at Answers for Elders or at Jim's website.
What is a Medicaid spend down? Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne Newman to answer this question, and shows how it differs if you're single or married.
In the previous segment, we talked about what to do if you're married and you or a senior loved one needs care now — a crisis situation — and have some money available.
With a single person, if they want VA coverage, they have the same asset limits of $130K. If they want Medicaid long-term care coverage, they need to reduce assets to $2K, or their state's level, which is very different from the VA level.
How you do that is through a spend down. A spend down is spending the excess money above your limit on anything that gives you roughly equal value. If you want to hide your assets, for example by buying your son's junk car for $25,000, that is not considered a legitimate expense. Buying hearing aids, extra eyeglasses, dentures, those purchases are OK. Buying ten $1,000 TVs is acceptable as long as you don't give them away. Pre-paying your funeral and your spouse's funeral (you can't over-pay), funeral services, is a great way to use extra money.
You may be required to private pay your care until spend down is finished, in some places, but check those details with a lawyer. Acceptability of donations varies by state, and sometimes even by case worker. Most cases involving church donations have been allowed, but donations have to follow your previous pattern of donation.
Jim Koewler addresses later-life financial and legal issues. Talk to an elder law attorney to guide you in your state with your situation. Learn more at Answers for Elders or at Jim's website.
What do you do when you or a senior loved one needs care now — a crisis situation — and they have some money available? Elder law attorney Jim Koewler joins Suzanne Newman to answer this question.
In this situation, one option is to choose to private pay for the care. This segment focuses on financial eligibility for married couples to receive VA pension benefits and Medicaid. More providers don't want to participate in Medicaid's reimbursement because it doesn't pay as much as private pay, though this could change in the face of COVID.
If you're married, to get Medicaid you have to spend your assets down below $2,000 (Federal and Ohio levels; amounts vary by state). If you have more than $260K, the healthy spouse would be able to keep about $130K. The rest of it is attributed to the one who needs care and must be spent down. The VA has roughly similar levels whether you're single or married, but there is no 50/50 split between spouses. VA penalizes money given away in the last 3 years; Medicaid for the last 5 years. There are differing effects on property ownership, depending on your state.
What you can do with your wealth differs with VA pension benefits and Medicaid, but you can still spend. Spending is OK — you can't give away without the potential penalties, and the penalties are treated differently in the two programs as well. If you want to spend on things that make sense, for instance on a lift chair, or comfortable clothes that are easy to take on and off, or hearing aids, dentures, glasses, or four cruises around the world, that's OK.
Jim Koewler addresses later-life financial and legal issues. Talk to an elder law attorney to guide you in your state with your situation. Learn more at Answers for Elders or at Jim's website.
Tracey Harvey from Cadence Living joins Suzanne Newman to update us on the new senior living community opening in Kent, Washington.
Many of their over-55 residents work, drive cars, and go to events and activities, and just want someone to help with cooking and cleaning. Tracey is Regional Vice President of Marketing & Strategic Planning, Northwest for Cadence at Kent-Meridian.
Cadence Living in Kent is opening soon. They offer a founder's club move-in special, which gives residents their birthday month free for two years, pet fees are waived, and the second person occupancy fee is waived the first year. Studio pricing starts at $3,150/month.
Cadence at Kent-Meridian is located at 25035 104th Ave SE, Kent, WA 98030. Learn more at (253) 549-9300 or at their website. Find more radio show segments by Tracey here.
The third foundational principle is safety, feeling safe and cared for, protected in your environment. Safety in mobility issues, medication, living environment, and outside safety. Elena Cuevas, VP of the western region of MorningStar Senior Living, joins Suzanne Newman at MorningStar Senior Living at Silver Lake in Everett, Washington to talk about eight fundamental principals of wellness. Learn more at MorningStar's website.
The second foundational principle is environmental wellness, feeling comfortable in your environment. MorningStar asks residents to bring their own things, bring the comforts with you; you're downsizing, but bring your favorite chair, your artwork, and what's important to you. Your environment is an extension of your home. Elena Cuevas, VP of the western region of MorningStar Senior Living, joins Suzanne Newman at MorningStar Senior Living at Silver Lake in Everett, Washington to talk about eight fundamental principals of wellness. Learn more at MorningStar's website.
The first foundational principle of wellness is emotional wellness, which is coping effectively with life and creating satisfactory relationships.
Elena Cuevas, VP of the western region of MorningStar Senior Living, joins Suzanne Newman at MorningStar Senior Living at Silver Lake in Everett, Washington to talk about eight fundamental principals of wellness. The process of moving into a senior living environment is scary. It's a dramatic change, there's fear of the unknown, mourning the loss of your environment. MorningStar Senior Living strives to learn the "why" for families, becoming a trusted advisor, discussing the issues and opportunities, and walking families through this roller coaster ride.
Learn more at MorningStar's website.
Elena Cuevas, VP of the western region of MorningStar Senior Living, joins Suzanne Newman at MorningStar Senior Living at Silver Lake in Everett, Washington.
Elena and Suzanne talk about the community and wellness as a fundamental principal they apply for their residents and family members. They introduce eight dimensions of wellness that encompass a holistic approach to making someone's survival more realistic. MorningStar has 34 communities in 12 states.
Learn more at MorningStar's website.
Stacey Dubowitch joins Suzanne Newman outside MorningStar Senior Living at Silver Lake in Everett, Washington.
Seniors have become more isolated during the pandemic. Social interaction is important to foundational wellness, and senior living provides a sense of community. Suzanne talks about opportunities for visitors to check out MorningStar's recent renovations and their wide variety of activities. Later this week, Suzanne will join Elena Cuevas, VP of the western region of MorningStar Senior Living, to introduce eight dimensions of foundational wellness.
Learn more at MorningStar's website.
Learn about the different types of Alzheimer's research studies, what's involved in participating, and how you can get involved. Suzanne Newman joins Dr. Cherian Verghese, Principal Researcher at the forefront of Alzheimer's disease at Keystone Clinical Studies LLC in the Philadelphia area.
It's hard to ask for help, and we face denial, not wanting to bother family, and pride issues. When we face cancer or heart disease, we think our bodies are failing. When it comes to something in our minds, we think we are failing, as something personal, but our mind sits within our brain, and these are illnesses, just like cancer or COVID. In the old days, there was a sense of learned helplessness — I can't do anything about it, so why bother? — but that's not the case any more.
Everyone knows the symptoms of a stroke or heart attack or cancer, and now COVID, but not many know the symptoms of Alzheimers, particularly early symptoms. We're not talking about everyday things, but perhaps you notice that your loved one is not as sharp as they used to be, and they have a subjective feeling that it takes more effort, as if the senior moments are getting worse.
If they have trouble following the plot of a TV show, or don't realize when they've already seen a movie, look for a clinical trial near you. Clinicaltrials.gov has a list, usually focused in the bigger cities. Participating in a research study provides an opportunity for better treatment than treatments that are currently available: access to the finest medical care, with professionals who know more about the disease than a regular doctor, the cream of the crop in doctors.
There's no magic bullet in treatment — think of the various treatments available for diabetes. Different illnesses require different approaches. Alzheimer's is complicated, and researchers at Keystone are studying medicines that treat different stages of the disease. There are studies for prevention, studies for early stages of mild cognitive impairment, and the Athira study for those in the early stages of Alzheimer's dementia. There are medicines for neural regeneration, for amyloid removal, for tau tangle removal
If you know of someone with Alzheimer's, there's probably a trial available for them. For those interested in a trial, visit Lift-AD Clinical Trial to learn more. You can learn more about Keystone by calling 610-277-8073 or visiting Keystone Clinical Studies LLC.
Suzanne Newman joins Dr. Cherian Verghese, Principal Researcher at the forefront of Alzheimer's disease at Keystone Clinical Studies LLC in the Philadelphia area. This segment focuses on types of clinical trials and what's involved in participating.
In the phase of informed consent, participants and trial partners are appraised on details about the medicine, that it’s voluntary, outlines potential side effects, not charged to insurance, that participants can withdraw at any time, and that they can also talk to the ethics committee at any time. A trial partner spends time with the participant, a family member, friend, or neighbor — conducting the study needs someone who can tell us about how the participant functions at home with their activities of daily living.
There are prevention trials, for people who have beta-amyloid proteins in their brains but show no symptoms, which are to remove the amyloids and counteract them. The most important area of research is for those with mild short-term memory problems, people who repeat the same story, forget mundane everyday things, and rely on a cell phone for reminders. Athira Pharma's study, for those with mild to moderate Alzheimer's, is for a drug that's intended to help regenerate the brain, deal with the damage that's already being done.
If you know of someone with Alzheimer's, there's probably a trial available for them. For those interested in a trial, visit Lift-AD Clinical Trial to learn more. You can learn more about Keystone by calling 610-277-8073 or visiting Keystone Clinical Studies LLC.
Suzanne Newman joins Dr. Cherian Verghese to talk about a special program for those who are in the beginning or medium stages of Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Verghese is Principal Researcher at Keystone Clinical Studies LLC in the Philadelphia area.
This segment continues the conversation about how the disease progresses. In earlier stages, people can be helped at home with assisted living, with family support. Going into moderate or severe dementia, we'd need in-home care and at some stages institutional care. It's physically demanding to help someone with their activities of daily living. Sadly, African Americans are twice as likely, and Latinos about one and a half times as likely, than in Caucasians. They are disproportionately affected, but participation was lower in trials, making it hard to extrapolate drug trial results.
If you know of someone with Alzheimer's, there's probably a trial available for them. For those interested in a trial, visit Lift-AD Clinical Trial to learn more. You can learn more about Keystone by calling 610-277-8073 or visiting Keystone Clinical Studies LLC.
Suzanne Newman joins Dr. Cherian Verghese to talk about a special program for those who are in the beginning or medium stages of Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Verghese is Principal Researcher at Keystone Clinical Studies LLC in the Philadelphia area. His mother died from Alzheimer's disease five years ago, and it transformed his efforts as a physician-investigator. Keystone is almost entirely focused on Alzheimer's.
This segment focuses on the differences between dementia and Alzheimer's, and how the disease progresses. The prevalence of Alzheimer's dementia is 5% in people 65 years old. By the age of 80, it's 40% or more.
If you know of someone with Alzheimer's, there's probably a trial available for them. For those interested in a trial, visit Lift-Adtrial to learn more. You can learn more about Keystone by calling 610-277-8073 or visiting Keystone Clinical Studies LLC.
Suzanne Newman talks with 14-year-old Hailey Richman from Long Island, New York. Hailey is executive director for two non-profit organizations that help seniors, giving young people an opportunity to help.
This segment provides information on how to get involved. People can do puzzle drives, distribute puzzles, or volunteering a facility. When kids email, Kid Caregivers can provide names of facilities they can go to. If they have a loved one with Alzheimer's, they will send puzzles either to them or to the facility. She'll have a Zoom call with a volunteer, showing them how to relate with someone who has Alzheimer's.
Support the cause by donating or volunteering to help get puzzles into facilities that don't have a lot of resources. Learn more at KidCaregivers.com and PuzzlesToRemember.org.
Suzanne Newman talks with 14-year-old Hailey Richman from Long Island, New York. Hailey is executive director for two non-profit organizations that help seniors.
In this segment, Hailey talks more about the process of how people can get involved in Puzzle Time. Sometimes people email directly, or schools, teachers, or scout groups will reach out, and Kid Caregivers will get a recommendation from teachers. They show volunteers how to talk to someone with Alzheimer's – how to be nice, understanding, and how to cope when a senior gets forgetful. During COVID, everyone was isolated, and Puzzle Time was done virtually, though they'd still drop off puzzles. Now they can do Puzzle Time outdoors and things are starting to get back to normal.
Support the cause by donating or volunteering to help get puzzles into facilities that don't have a lot of resources. Learn more at KidCaregivers.com and PuzzlesToRemember.org.
Suzanne Newman talks with 14-year-old Hailey Richman from Long Island, New York. Hailey is executive director for two non-profit organizations that help seniors.
In this segment, Hailey talks more about Kid Caregivers, which grew from a blog to Zoom calls, meets with guidance counselors, and Puzzle Time where kids can volunteer to help seniors solve puzzles. They are now in almost all 50 states. People can become ambassadors in their state to take a leadership role in finding volunteers. Some high school students volunteer weekly or monthly. Kids bond with the seniors, making an inter-generational connection that can touch people's lives just by solving a puzzle together.
Support the cause by donating or volunteering to help get puzzles into facilities that don't have a lot of resources. Learn more at KidCaregivers.com and PuzzlesToRemember.org.
Suzanne Newman talks with 14-year-old Hailey Richman from Long Island, New York. Hailey is executive director for two non-profit organizations that help seniors.
When Hailey was four years old, her grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Her grandmother was her best friend, and Hailey felt isolated. When she found out that there were no support groups for kids, just adults, she decided to make her own. At 8 she started blogging to support and empower other kids who are acting as caregivers. The site gives tips and suggestions for others like her. Hailey shared moments between her and her grandmother such as being called by her mom's name, and realizing that she needed to accept that and inhabit her grandmother's world in order to help her.
She loved making puzzles with her grandmother, and when she brought friends over they'd make puzzles with others on her grandmother's floor. Why not make this for all nursing homes. She created Puzzle Time, an inter-generational program where girl scouts, church groups, and others can volunteer community service hours helping solve puzzles with people who have Alzheimer's.
Support the cause by donating or volunteering to help get puzzles into facilities that don't have a lot of resources. Learn more at KidCaregivers.com and PuzzlesToRemember.org.
Rebecca Bomann, the CEO of SASH Services, joins Suzanne Newman to talk about tips to help get your house ready to be sold. Continuing from part 3, in this segment Rebecca shares two more low-cost suggestions to maximize your net proceeds at the end of the sale.
-
Add a fresh scent: Apple cinnamon or raspberry, with fragrances that aren't plugged in chemicals that could trigger allergies, a bowl of pot pourri, providing a pleasant scent.
-
Leave while it's listed. If you're still living in the house, and have to make the bed, do dishes, and clean laundry before each showing, that keeps buyers waiting. Eight showings in a day means eight times to get ready. If at all possible, don't be in the home during the first two weeks of the listing. This is the most active time of the listing.
Rebecca sold a home yesterday that had 84 showings. Imagine being in your 70s or 80s and getting up and disrupted 84 times. Showings can be booked from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and if each one is 30 minutes long, that is 26 possible showings per day. If you limit times when prospective buyers can visit, you're narrowing the buyer pool, and discouraging buyers from coming in.
Stay with family, visit the grandchildren, or have a respite stay at a senior community. They're affordable, safe, clean, and have people their age. They'll also experience what it's like. Some communities will let you move in early and defer fees until your house is sold. Also, there are affordable pet-friendly, air B&Bs with no stairs where you can book an extended stay. If I offered you $20,000 to stay away for two weeks, would you take it? That's how much more you could make, or more. When you're not there, you're maximizing availability and opportunity, keeping your home show-ready the whole time.
SASH Services (Sell a Senior Home) was founded in 2005 as a blend of real estate, senior care, and social work to provide seniors and their families with home-sale options that are not typical, that are designed around their needs. They provide specialized services that lift the selling burden off the senior homeowner and their family while maximizing what can be earned from the home.
SASH serves most of western Washington in the Pacific Northwest. If you're out of state, they can steer you to a qualified professional in your area. Find more at the SASH Services website or call 888-400-SASH.
Rebecca Bomann, the CEO of SASH Services, joins Suzanne Newman to talk about tips to help get your house ready to be sold. Continuing from part 2, in this segment Rebecca shares more low-cost suggestions to maximize your net proceeds at the end of the sale. Expenses can be paid for by following the tips from part 1.
-
Pressure wash the outside. You don't have to repaint the exterior, but a light pressure washing will give it a bath, removing dust and cobwebs. Also, driveways, walkways, and stairs will remove moss and rocks. You can rent a pressure washer or have a professional do it. Don't wash the room; it will take years off its life.
-
Buy a new welcome mat — a welcoming, modern mat for the front door.
-
Clean up the patio. Rececca has seen flower pots with dying plants, wind chimes, drink cups, potting soil, garden gnomes, umbrellas, and more. It's important for people to see the yard as an extension of the house, like an outside living room, so dress it up just as well as the living room. Declutter and wash it. Leave two chairs and some fresh flowers nearby. Clean a BBQ.
-
Retro decor is OK. Sometimes people have older finishes in their home: dark paneling from the 70s, avocado counters, pink tile in bathrooms, or bright-colored carpets. People fear that they'll have to renovate all that, but that's a myth. We can make it look great and still get bidding wars, just by following the other tips. By not renovating, you're appealing to people who want to do their own updating, and it will be priced less so more buyers can afford it. Right now, the market is such that it's not profitable to renovate. People who appraise and finance your house don't worry about its appearance, but rather things like the age of the roof, the condition of the furnace, and that there are no electrical hazards. It's already stressful to move, so why add to that with the stress of doing renovations? If you only have a limited amount of money to spend, spend it on things that help a buyer qualify to buy it, so that it passes an inspection and appraises well.
SASH Services (Sell a Senior Home) was founded in 2005 as a blend of real estate, senior care, and social work to provide seniors and their families with home-sale options that are not typical, that are designed around their needs. They provide specialized services that lift the selling burden off the senior homeowner and their family while maximizing what can be earned from the home. SASH serves most of western Washington in the Pacific Northwest. If you're out of state, they can steer you to a qualified professional in your area. Find more at the SASH Services website or call 888-400-SASH. Listen to part 4 for more tips.
Rebecca Bomann, the CEO of SASH Services, joins Suzanne Newman to talk about tips to help get your house ready to be sold. Sometimes it seems too hard to stay and too hard to move. Wondering where to even begin? Continuing from part 1, in this segment Rebecca shares more low-cost suggestions to maximize your net proceeds at the end of the sale. Any expenses can be paid for by following the tips from Part 1.
-
Take down heavy drapes and window coverings. When you put a home on the market, you want to show off the view and allow natural light to come in, as it makes each room and the whole house feel bigger, more cheerful, welcoming and inviting. It makes a big difference.
-
Swap out old and low-watt bulbs for bright new ones. It avoids dark hallways and closets, at least 60 watt bulbs, so each room is well lit.
-
Remove family photos and paintings. When prospective buys see family photos, they feel like they're intruding on your privacy. Leave two or three, but pack up the rest. It cleans, declutters, and makes rooms look bigger. Let a down-sizer explain the reasoning, while family members can be supportive. Acknowledge how special the home is, compliment all of the photos and art, while explaining that these photos and paintings will get packed for moving, so pack these items now, so prospective buyers will be able envision the home as it might be for them.
-
Do a professional deep cleaning. Let a professional do it. They will even clean the tops of doorways and ceiling fans, clean blinds, and get behind doors and fridges. A sparkly clean house will smell good.
SASH Services (Sell a Senior Home) was founded in 2005 as a blend of real estate, senior care, and social work to provide seniors and their families with home-sale options that are not typical, that are designed around their needs. They provide specialized services that lift the selling burden off the senior homeowner and their family while maximizing what can be earned from the home. SASH serves most of western Washington in the Pacific Northwest. If you're out of state, they can steer you to a qualified professional in your area. Learn more at the SASH Services website or call 888-400-SASH, and listen to part 3 for more tips.
Rebecca Bomann, the CEO of SASH Services, joins Suzanne Newman to talk about tips to help get your house ready to be sold. Rebecca has used these tips herself, helping hundreds of families. Whether you're an empty-nester or looking for a senior loved one who's lived in their house for 50 years, often a move seems like a mountain of a challenge. These low-cost suggestions will maximize your net proceeds:
- Pack first. Everyone plans to bring most things when they move, but the mistake is waiting to pack till after photography and listing, which makes a house look full and prevents prospective buyers from envisioning their own belongings in your house. Pack prior to photography, as many things as you don't need daily, putting it in the garage or a storage unit. Your house will show so much better.
- Sell some things. For people feeling pressured by the costs of getting everything ready, keep in mind some things probably won't be moved into a new place. Some items won't fit, or there's an old record collection not listened to in decades, or maybe some World War II memorabilia in the attic. These items could be auctioned or sold in order to pay money for sprucing up the house. Even a few hundred or thousand raised help. And it helps empty the house for moving. A live garage sale, estate sales, online auction sites, and for sale apps. Learn more Learn more at the SASH Services website or call 888-400-SASH.
SASH Services (Sell a Senior Home) was founded in 2005 as a blend of real estate, senior care, and social work to provide seniors and their families with home-sale options that are not typical, that are designed around their needs. They provide specialized services that lift the selling burden off the senior homeowner and their family while maximizing what can be earned from the home. SASH serves most of western Washington in the Pacific Northwest. If you're out of state, they can steer you to a qualified professional in your area.
Find more at SASHservices.com or call 888-400-SASH. Listen to part 2 for more tips.
Spring is for new beginnings, coming out of winter hibernation. Certified senior advisor Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne Newman to talk about how and when to intervene as an adult child or loved one of a senior who may need care. When the conversations are over, and something doesn't go right, Kelley talks about next steps. You can't control another human being. There are other options if a loved one digs in their heels. Northeast Seattle has NEST — Northeast Seattle Together — and other neighborhoods have programs like this. For a small fee, people will come to the house and do chores, mow the lawn, and do other tasks, so you don't have to be overwhelmed. A family advocate or caregiver needs to keep their balance and boundaries.
Learn more about CarePartners Senior Living at their website.
Spring is for new beginnings, coming out of winter hibernation. Certified senior advisor Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne Newman to talk about how and when to intervene as an adult child or loved one of a senior who may need care. This segment addresses what to do when our loved ones are adamantly resisting, but you know something has to change. You have to make sure that a decision's been made - that they are no longer safe in their own home — you have to look at next steps, whether it's home care, home health, rehabilitative care, or something else. Make sure they've been diagnosed by a doctor. And learn what the consequences are if you don't do something.
Learn more about CarePartners Senior Living at their website.
Spring is for new beginnings, coming out of winter hibernation. Certified senior advisor Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne Newman to talk about how and when to intervene as an adult child or loved one of a senior who may need care. Kelley talks about red flags. Maybe you've noticed that your mom used to keep her house spotless in the past, but now you see spoiled food in the fridge, stacks of stuff in odd places, and she's ordering strange stuff by mail. You know your loved one, and some things will stand out as unusual. Are they grabbing onto furniture and walls to support themselves? Making excuses for you not to visit? Kelley provides advice when you see behaviors that stand out as unusual in our senior loved ones.
Learn more about CarePartners Senior Living at their website.
Spring is for new beginnings, coming out of winter hibernation. Certified senior advisor Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne Newman to talk about how and when to intervene as an adult child or loved one of a senior who may need care. Families may be concerned about their role while honoring parents facing Alzheimer's or dementia. Kelley Smith says to best serve parents and grandparents, first understand what you need as well as what your parents need. When you have conversations, give them time to process so they aren't on the defensive. Create an open dialogue to figure out the next steps. Bring up that you noticed things are getting more challenging for them around the house. Casual conversations often work better than a scheduled meeting.
Learn more about CarePartners Senior Living at their website.
Tracey Harvey from Cadence Living joins Suzanne Newman to talk about a dynamic, new senior living community soon to open in Kent, Washington. Tracey is Regional Vice President of Marketing & Strategic Planning, Northwest for Cadence at Kent-Meridian.
Think about all of the things you do in a day, whether it's cleaning the house, cooking, driving to the store, shopping, planning paying bills. How many hours does that take each week? If you didn't have to do those things, how would it improve the quality of your life?
If you were to move into a senior living community, how would your life change? The goal would be to tap into your passions, things you aspire to do, so that you can live your life in a meaningful way as you get older. For some, it's being more active. For others, it's having more friendships, or tapping into crafts not done in 20 years, or solitude, or gardening, or having someone else remember what medications their spouse/partner needs, or being able to go on outings with friends, or travel more often without having to drive, or having peace of mind. Don't discount the benefits of security either, a consideration as we get older. Having a better quality of life is priceless.
A move-in special, a founder's club membership, gives residents their birthday month free for two years, pet fees are waived, and the second person occupancy fee is waived the first year. Studio pricing starts at $3,150/month. Cadence at Kent-Meridian is located at 25035 104th Ave SE, Kent, WA 98030. Learn more at (253) 549-9300 or at their website.
Tracey Harvey from Cadence Living joins Suzanne Newman to talk about a dynamic, new senior living community soon to open in Kent, Washington. Tracey is Regional Vice President of Marketing & Strategic Planning, Northwest for Cadence at Kent-Meridian.
Tracy provides some considerations to keep in mind for seniors considering downsizing. It helps to actually visit a community, seeing all the departments and teams of people that help make it a value for your money, where you can have food prepared, housekeeping once a week, and transportation if you need it.
Alumni of Kent-Meridian High School will like the dugout and outdoor patio overlooking their baseball field. Some balconies have a view of Mount Rainier. Cadence also supports loved ones' hobbies, ones that are important to mom or dad, and a calendar of events that they want to participate in. Adult children may think a view is important, or having fewer steps, but your loved ones might think an apartment layout is equally important, or they want it to be further down the hall to get in all their steps per day.
A move-in special, a founder's club membership, gives residents their birthday month free for two years, pet fees are waived, and the second person occupancy fee is waived the first year. Studio pricing starts at $3,150/month. Cadence at Kent-Meridian is located at 25035 104th Ave SE, Kent, WA 98030. Learn more at (253) 549-9300 or at their website.
Tracey Harvey from Cadence Living joins Suzanne Newman to talk about a dynamic, new senior living community soon to open in Kent, Washington. Tracey is Regional Vice President of Marketing & Strategic Planning, Northwest for Cadence at Kent-Meridian.
Cadence is geared for Kent, a middle class area. Cadence offers a great value in communities along with offering the services you're looking for: 128 apartments, three levels, offering both independent living and assisted living, that allows people to age in place in the apartment they choose. Cadence has studios, one bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, all with high ceilings (12 feet on the first level, 10 feet on the second), full kitchens, a balcony with a view, and washer/dryer. Anytime-dining at a bistro offers a variety of foods. Senior wellness programs will be designed based on the interests of the residents, like in-tune fitness.
A move-in special, a founder's club membership, gives residents their birthday month free for two years. Studio pricing starts at $3,150/month. Cadence at Kent-Meridian is located at 25035 104th Ave SE, Kent, WA 98030. Learn more at (253) 549-9300 or at their website.
Tracey Harvey from Cadence Living joins Suzanne Newman to talk about a new senior living community soon to open in Kent, Washington. Tracey is Regional Vice President of Marketing & Strategic Planning, Northwest for Cadence at Kent-Meridian.
Cadence brings a philosophy of vitality, fitness, and wellness, a resort-style living to seniors. Their innovative thinking attracted Tracey to the company. Active seniors looking for senior living. Socialization means more than we used to think – there's a recognition that community is important. Vitality is actively aging and retaining mobility regardless of our ability, ways to maintain stamina and wellness, not just physical, also intellectual, vocational, occupational. It's important we continue to crave that curiosity in life and don't stop meaning.
Cadence is now offering tours. Even if mom or dad isn't ready yet, it's a good idea to go and take a tour to see what could be, down the road. The most respectful thing you can do for your loved one is to include them in early planning. When or if, doesn't mean it will happen, but at least you have a plan moving forward.
A move-in special, a founder's club membership, gives residents their birthday month free for two years. Studio pricing starts at $3,150/month. Cadence at Kent-Meridian is located at 25035 104th Ave SE, Kent, WA 98030. Learn more at (253) 549-9300 or at their website.
Elder law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler talks with Suzanne Newman about veterans benefits, claims, and appeals under the current rules. If your loved ones have spent any time in the military, they may qualify for benefits you might not be aware with. This segment covers:
Eligibility Update for VA Pension (a.k.a. Aid and Attendance)
Financial eligibility, as of 12/1/2021
- Assets less than $138,489, including one year's income$30,000 seems to get quicker reviewHome property above 2 acres counts
- Income below or close to medical expense
Prior transfers
- "Prior Transfers" affect only VA Pension
- Three year look back for assets given away
- Only penalizes giveaways that made applicant financially eligible
- Penalty can be up to five years of ineligibility
- VA will not pay for one month for every $2,421.25 given away, as of 12/1/2021
Tricky issues
- Providing for spouses expenses at home
- Deciding whether to give away assets
- Getting income within the target amount
Not screwing up the possibility of getting Medicaid in the future
Listen or watch on YouTube if you want to follow along with the presentation. Contact Jim Koewler at The Koewler Law Firm in Richfield, OH by calling 330-659-3579 or emailing jkoewler-afe@protectingseniors.com. His website is https://www.protectingseniors.com.
Elder law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler talks with Suzanne Newman about veterans benefits, claims, and appeals under the current rules. If your loved ones have spent any time in the military, they may qualify for benefits you might not be aware with. This segment continues the conversation from part 3 on who is eligible for veterans benefits and covers:
Eligibility Update for VA Pension (a.k.a. Aid and Attendance)
- Aged 65 or older or 100% disabled
- Health care expenses use up most or all household incomePeriodic, predictable health care expenses
- ClassificationsAid & Attendance - Need help with some Activities of Daily Living, or need a Protective EnvironmentHousebound - Can't easily get out on your ownPension - Expected medical expenses use up most or all income
Monthly benefits for VA Pension (a.k.a. Aid and Attendance), as of 12/1/2021
- Aid & Attendance
- Housebound
- Pension
Listen or watch on YouTube if you want to follow along with the presentation. Contact Jim Koewler at The Koewler Law Firm in Richfield, OH by calling 330-659-3579 or emailing jkoewler-afe@protectingseniors.com. His website is https://www.protectingseniors.com.
Elder law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler talks with Suzanne Newman about veterans benefits, claims, and appeals under the current rules. If your loved ones have spent any time in the military, they may qualify for benefits you might not be aware with. This segment begins a conversation on who is eligible for veterans benefits and covers:
Eligibility Update for VA Pension (a.k.a. Aid and Attendance)
- Qualifying branches
- Length of service
- Designated periods of war
Listen or watch on YouTube if you want to follow along with the presentation. Contact Jim Koewler at The Koewler Law Firm in Richfield, OH by calling 330-659-3579 or emailing jkoewler-afe@protectingseniors.com. His website is https://www.protectingseniors.com.
Elder law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler talks with Suzanne Newman about veterans benefits, claims, and appeals under the current rules. If your loved ones have spent any time in the military, they may qualify for benefits you might not be aware with. This segment provides an overview of three basic veterans benefits:
VA Pension (a.k.a. Aid and Attendance)
- To help aged or disabled "wartime" veterans or their surviving spouses pay for high medical costs
VA Compensation (a.k.a. VA Disability)
- For veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active service
Dependent and indemnity compensation
- For surviving spouses, children, or parents IF veteran's death was connected to service, or if veteran died during active duty or training
- Special monthly compensationFor veteran who needs help from another person with Activities of Daily Living, or has certain disabilities (e.g., loss of limb)For surviving spouse, child, or parent who needs help from another person with ADLs
VA Long-Term Care in VA Health Program
- Geriatric Evaluation
- Adult Day Health Care
- Respite Care
- Skilled Home Health Care
- Residential services
Listen or watch on YouTube if you want to follow along with the presentation. Contact Jim Koewler at The Koewler Law Firm in Richfield, OH by calling 330-659-3579 or emailing jkoewler-afe@protectingseniors.com. His website is https://www.protectingseniors.com.
Elder law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler talks with Suzanne Newman about veterans benefits, claims, and appeals under the current rules. If your loved ones have spent any time in the military, they may qualify for benefits you might not be aware with. This segment covers:
- Accreditation Discharge papers* DOD (not VA) Form SF180
Listen or watch on YouTube if you want to follow along with the presentation. Contact Jim Koewler at The Koewler Law Firm in Richfield, OH by calling 330-659-3579 or emailing jkoewler-afe@protectingseniors.com. His website is https://www.protectingseniors.com.
Rebecca Bomann, the CEO of SASH Services, joins Suzanne Newman to talk about eight things every senior homeowner deserves during a home sale. This segment focuses on the last two things, which are about the journey to say goodbye to the home, without minimizing emotions:
7: Space to grieve. Give a senior homeowner the space and opportunity to feel sad. When we sell a home in our 20s or 30s, there's excitement, looking forward to the next journey. But if you've lived in your house for 50 years, it feels much different. The home is so familiar, it's become a major part of your identity and memories. Selling and leaving is like losing a family member. Let a senior loved one grieve – let them be sad, for as long as they need.
8: An opportunity to say goodbye. It's not the same as grieving; you can grieve anywhere. Let them say farewell to their home. The home sale shouldn't be so rushed that there isn't time to say goodbye. Respect the significance of the place.
SASH stands for Sell A Senior's Home. Learn more at the SASH Services website.
Rebecca Bomann, the CEO of SASH Services, joins Suzanne Newman to talk about eight things every senior homeowner deserves during a home sale.This segment focuses on the fifth and sixth things:
5: Home mementos. Let them take some home mementos with them. They don't have to be big. Often instinct is thinking of what "needs" to go in their senior living apartment, because there's limited space. Allow those extra items from home that bring familiarity, comfort, and happiness.
6: Caring advocates. They can be anyone who walks through this step with them, looking out for them, whether a neighbor, friend, or relative. They protect the senior from being taken advantage of.
SASH stands for Sell A Senior's Home. Learn more at the SASH Services website.
Rebecca Bomann, the CEO of SASH Services, joins Suzanne Newman to talk about eight things every senior homeowner deserves during a home sale.This segment focuses on the third and fourth things:
3: Decision-making: Every senior deserves the ability to make their own decisions, give them choices to make. Many times family members are in a hurry and want to get the process done. But this often makes mom or dad feel like the home sale is happening to them, instead of being in charge of that journey. Sometimes, even making small decisions feels empowering.
4: Knowledge and information: Seniors should have knowledge and information – give them the respect of being well informed. Often they hear what's going to be done, but not the reasons why. The sharing of that information with a senior gives them satisfaction rather than leaving mysteries.
SASH stands for Sell A Senior's Home. Learn more at the SASH Services website.
Rebecca Bomann, the CEO of SASH Services, joins Suzanne Newman to talk about eight things every senior homeowner deserves during a home sale. Most realtors might treat the sale with the same frame of reference as any other sale; they might provide a to-do list to get it ready, and that's it. But if you've lived in a house for 50 years, they need someone who understands that it can be a paralyzing burden. There are eight things they deserve, and doesn't matter what type of house they're selling or how much it's worth. It feels scary because they're leaving the familiar, the memories, and moving into the unknown, whether it's moving cross-country or perhaps into a new senior living environment. This segment focuses on the first two items that every senior should experience:
-
Kindness. Give them kindness in the journey. Family members sometimes forget about how scary it can be, and validating them. Whether grumpy or angry, or sad, empathy and understanding are needed.
-
Patience. This is hard for caregivers. Well-meaning caregivers have a deadline to complete the move, but their loved one isn't ready. Give the senior the respect to move on their timeline, not when it's convenient for others. The fear factor, the highly-charged emotions, need to be respected.
Often caregivers and family look at the sale of a senior loved one's house as a financial transaction. For the senior, it's not — it's an emotional, impactful situation. SASH stands for Sell A Senior's Home. Learn more at the SASH Services website.
In this hour, Elder Law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler talks with Suzanne Newman about how to appoint people to represent you in situations where you're unable to act for yourself – a who's who of people who should be involved in your estate plan. This segment focuses on trusts.
Revocable Trust
- Initial Trustee: Grantors (the people setting up the trust in the first place)
- Successor Trustee (After initial trustees both deceased or physically/mentally unable to continue as trustee): Person who gets stuff done, meets deadlines, and doesn't buckle under pressure from other heirs.
Irrevocable Third-Party trust for disabled person
- Grantors are initial trustees
Successor Trustee
- First Approach - Trustee: Person who will look out for disabled beneficiary but will not cave in to unreasonable demands for money from trust and will not resent having to deal with beneficiary
- Second strategy:Trustee: Bank or trust company or trusted family memberDistribution Committee (to make decisions on when to pay out for benefit of beneficiary, taking pressure off the trustee):- Special needs attorney- Social worker- Family member(s) (maybe)
HIPAA Release (Gives access to health information. Doesn't grant decision-making authority.
- Include everyone who is named in Health Care Power of Attorney
- Include any other family members or friends who are likely to help look after you if you need care (long-term or otherwise)
- Include elder law attorney and, if attorney has one, attorney's care coordinator
You can listen to the podcast or watch it on YouTube. Learn more at protectingseniors.com.
In this hour, Elder Law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler talks with Suzanne Newman about how to appoint people to represent you in situations where you're unable to act for yourself – a who's who of people who should be involved in your estate plan. We've been talking about powers of attorney and living wills. This segment focuses on after you pass away.
You can choose between a will-based estate plan or a trust-based estate plan. Even if you do a trust, make a will, which will catch anything forgotten in the trust. In the will, you name an executor, who is in charge of handling the will (or lack of a will) in probate court. The executor would be the most business-focused person we talk about in this hour. The job of the will is to handle your affairs and close up shop, and your stuff goes where you want it to go, strictly a business transaction. But the executor has to take it through the probate court process.
Will
- Executor: Spouse first
- Backup Executor (if spouse not able): Person who gets stuff done, meets deadlines, and doesn't buckle under pressure from other heirs
You can listen to the podcast or watch it on YouTube. Learn more at protectingseniors.com.
In this hour, Elder Law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler talks with Suzanne Newman about how to appoint people to represent you in situations where you're unable to act for yourself – a who's who of people who should be involved in your estate plan. This segment focuses on living wills. One person does the job – pick one person.
A power of attorney document should be written as though it's needed when you need long-term care, because it's mostly used for that. Name your agent with long-term care in mind. Pick them for that reason – don't name your son as general power of attorney because he handles money better and name your daughter as your health care agent; if the daughter reaches the end of her rope, the son might not agree to pay for help, and he would control the checkbook.
Living Wills may be different in every state; this covers when you've suffered a brain death and you can tell the family whether to keep the respirator running. Keep your chosen people the same order for both the powers of attorney and the living will. That way you don't have the person listed first on the health care power of attorney having to fight with the person listed first on the living will. Keep them all the same to avoid conflict at a time when conflict slows down your medical care.
Living Wills
- Person to receive phone call (that Principal seems to have suffered traumatic brain damage): Probably spouse
- First alternate person to receive phone call: person most likely to take in Principal (person signing the Living Will) if Principal needs long-term care
- Second successor agent: Person second-most likely to take inPrincipal if Principal needs long-term care
- Others: The person listed on Living Will to receive the phone call doesn't have any "power," but many families don't know that. So, to avoid "power struggles" among family members, it is prudent to list the same people in the Living Will as are named in the Powers of Attorney
You can listen to the podcast or watch it on YouTube. Learn more at protectingseniors.com.
In this hour, Elder Law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler talks with Suzanne Newman about how to appoint people to represent you in situations where you're unable to act for yourself – a who's who of people who should be involved in your estate plan. In this segment, Jim focuses on the people you select to have power of attorney and those involved with your living will – and to guide your selections, the personality traits they should have.
Powers of Attorney (General and Health Care)
- Agent: Probably spouse (unless spouse cracks under pressure of making decisions for others)
- First successor agent: Person most likely to take in Principal (person signing the POA) if Principal needs long-term care
- Second successor agent: Person second-most likely to take in Principal if Principal needs long-term care
- Others: We suggest naming the same agents and successor agents in both the General and Health Care Powers of Attorney so that, should you ever need long-term care, the person providing care also has the ability to hire help and to pay for it.
You can listen to the podcast or watch it on YouTube. Learn more at protectingseniors.com.
Whether regarding skilled care, skilled nursing, or memory care, especially during the pandemic myths have persisted about senior living. This hour, Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living talked about the myths and realities of senior living. This segment focuses on family members who care for a senior loved one. It's important to understand your role to make sure they have the best quality of life possible. Learn more about CarePartners Senior Living.
Whether regarding skilled care, skilled nursing, or memory care, especially during the pandemic myths have persisted about senior living. In this segment Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living focuses on quality of life: what to expect in a senior living or assisted living community. It's not what you might think, and there are a lot of preconceived ideas about skilled care. Nothing's perfect, but if you're a caregiver and it's affecting you to where you can't do it any more, or you're in a situation where their needs are over your head, you're not serving them by keeping them at home. They see people get better in assisted living, because they're getting three home-cooked meals a day, getting their medications on time, there are people around – just having human contact adds to quality of life, rather than being isolated and just seeing your kids now and then. Getting them involved with a community their own age, where there are things happening and things to look forward to, improves their quality of life. Learn more about CarePartners Senior Living.
Whether regarding skilled care, skilled nursing, or memory care, especially during the pandemic myths have persisted about senior living. In this segment Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living explains that the general public's impression of senior living is based on folklore. People think their mom will move in and be isolated, as when you changed schools as a kid. But that's not giving the communities enough credit. A lot of communities have ambassadors that introduce your mom to new people. That's why you fill out a social assessment – for instance if she's from Norway they might sit her with someone from Norway. A lot of communities put their residents first, with activities, and have a way of making sure the residents are entertained throughout the day. There's something for everyone. Learn more about CarePartners Senior Living.
Whether regarding skilled care, skilled nursing, or memory care, especially during the pandemic myths have persisted about senior living. In this hour, Suzanne Newman talks with Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living about myths heard all the time about senior care. We remember great-grandma or great-grandpa being in nursing homes, which weren't pleasant places. They don't exist any more — skilled nursing has taken over, and it doesn't look the same as it did even five or ten years ago. If you don't know anybody in assisted living, if you've never been to an assisted living facility, you don't know what actually happens. Skilled nursing now is more like a rehab center that need 24-hour care not appropriate for a hospital setting. People don't realize that things like therapy dog visits and music therapy are available, providing a quality of life — they don't even know that it exists. Learn more about CarePartners Senior Living.
There are 150 million caregivers in the United States. In this segment, Elder Law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler recommends some nationwide resources for senior caregivers:
Hiring
- Geriatric care managers
- Elder law care attorneys: National Academy of Elder Law Care Attorneys
- Elder law attorneys who work with care coordinators: Life Care Planning Law Firms Association
Nationwide web resources
- Elder Care decision guides at Answers For Elders
- Genworth care scout
- Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging: 216. 273.1797
- Alzheimer's Association
- Pro Seniors
Learn more at The Koewler Law Firm website: protectingseniors.com. Search for a comparable elder law attorney in your state at naela.org.
This hour, Suzanne Newman talks about hearing loss with Dr. Hope Lanter, lead audiologist and director of partner success at Hear.com. Some health issues can be exacerbated by hearing loss. This segment focuses on the effects of hearing related to health issues, such diabetes, Alzheimer's and dementia. Diabetes creates blood flow issues and can impact the hearing nerve. Regarding Alzheimer's, the brain is a use-it-or-lose-it place. When we stop stimulating the brain with sounds for too long, it can forget how to process them. We see a dramatically faster progression of that when we don't use hearing aids when they're needed. If you're experiencing some hearing loss, or even wondering if you are, Hear.com has a 45-day no-risk trial offer. Take a free assessment questionnaire at Hear.com or (786) 520-2456 and see if it's worth investigating.
This hour, Suzanne Newman talks about hearing loss with Dr. Hope Lanter, lead audiologist and director of partner success at Hear.com. This segment focuses on advancements in hearing technology. Hear.com's hearing aids are bluetooth devices with an app to change modes for extra clarification in a setting like a restaurant, an omni-directional mode when walking outdoors, and other options. It directionally amplifies who you're looking at, particularly noticeable in restaurants. Volume also can be adjusted from a cell phone. Call audio and even TV audio can be piped through the hearing aid. If you're experiencing some hearing loss, or even wondering if you are, Hear.com has a 45-day no-risk trial offer. Take a free assessment questionnaire at hear.com or (786) 520-2456 and see if it's worth investigating.
Why miss out on life because you're not hearing well? Some health issues can be exacerbated by hearing loss. This hour, Suzanne Newman talks about hearing loss with Dr. Hope Lanter, lead audiologist and director of partner success at Hear.com. Hear.com has a resource center and a host of informative articles. Hope talks more about what happens after taking an assessment, a consultation, a recommendation (based on individual life style and budget), and finding a local vetted provider. If you're experiencing some hearing loss, or even wondering if you are, Hear.com has a 45-day no-risk trial offer. Take a free assessment questionnaire at Hear.com or (786) 520-2456 and see if it's worth investigating.
Statistics show that about 47 million adults have some level of hearing loss, many who are under 70 years old. This hour, Suzanne Newman talks about hearing loss with Dr. Hope Lanter, lead audiologist and director of partner success at Hear.com. Suzanne talks about being fitted with hearing aids thanks to Hear.com. Hope talks about the experiences of those who reach out to Hear.com, talking about symptoms of hearing loss, particularly when our loved ones notice it. Now that Suzanne has hearing aids, she's noticing sounds she hasn't heard in years, finds her new spectrum of sounds amazing, and improved the quality of her life. If you're experiencing some hearing loss, or even wondering if you are, Hear.com has a 45-day no-risk trial offer. Take a free assessment questionnaire at Hear.com or (786) 520-2456 and see if it's worth investigating.
This hour, elder law attorney Jim Koewler at the Koewler Law Firm provides us with a guide to help people who are worried about long term care costs in the future. There are three basic strategies: do nothing, buy insurance, or give away assets. In this segment, Jim goes in further detail about buying insurance. There are two approaches: the "traditional" long term care insurance, and having long term care insurance tied to an asset investment. A PowerPoint presentation accompanies this segment — watch this segment on YouTube’s Answers For Elders channel.
This hour, elder law attorney Jim Koewler at the Koewler Law Firm provides us with a guide to help people who are worried about long term care costs in the future. There are three basic strategies: do nothing, buy insurance, or give away assets. When giving away assets, there are two approaches: direct gifts, and an irrevocable trust. This segment focuses on direct gifts. A PowerPoint presentation accompanies this segment — watch this segment on YouTube’s Answers For Elders channel.
This hour, elder law attorney Jim Koewler at the Koewler Law Firm looks at the criteria used to compare planning strategies. There are three basic strategies: do nothing, buy insurance, or give away assets. The criteria Jim uses compare those methods are: the cost to implement the strategy, the risk to your money, how convenient is it to carry out the strategy, how much control does it give you over money, and the likelihood that it will protect your assets. A PowerPoint presentation accompanies this segment — watch this segment on YouTube’s Answers For Elders channel.
This hour, elder law attorney Jim Koewler at the Koewler Law Firm provides us with a guide to help those who are worried about long term care costs in the future. He talks about how older senior loved ones can protect their life savings and plan for the costs of long term care. Goals are to avoid becoming a burden to our children, leaving a financial legacy, military benefits, earning a feeling of accomplishment and preserving your identity. A PowerPoint presentation accompanies this segment — watch this segment on YouTube’s Answers For Elders channel.
Aaron Koelsch, the CEO and founder of Koelsch Communities, joins Suzanne this hour. In this segment, Mr. Koelsch talks about how a loved one, caregiver, or family member begins their journey to learn more about Koelsch.
Aaron Koelsch, the CEO and founder of Koelsch Communities, joins Suzanne this hour. In this segment, Mr. Koelsch talks about Koelsch's niche, what makes it unique.
Aaron Koelsch, the CEO and founder of Koelsch Communities, joins Suzanne this hour. In this segment, Mr. Koelsch talks about the company's values, which are interwoven into everything they do. He talks about how that started and what made this framework so prevalent. Suzanne points out that the number one question caregivers and senior loved ones have about a community isn't money, but whether they can be trusted. The trust factor is vital, and Koelsch goes above and beyond to ensure residents retain their self-actualization, their dignity and self-respect, their sense of purpose.
Aaron Koelsch, the CEO and founder of Koelsch Communities, joins Suzanne this hour. In this segment, Mr. Koelsch talks about his background and the origins of Koelsch Communities.
Jayson Sargent at Hear.com joins the show to talk about hearing loss. In this segment, Jayson talks about his experiences helping people with their hearing, what to expect from the process, and how the technology works. Suzanne was just fitted with hearing aids, and shares her journey. Many listeners may have seen a TV ad for Hear.com, but perhaps weren't sure what to expect, or are hesitant to get checked. With technology today, you can't tell when someone's wearing them, as Suzanne is during this recording.
Jayson Sargent at Hear.com joins the show to talk about hearing loss, and Suzanne shares her own personal journey about signs of hearing loss. People will sound like they're mumbling, your ears may feel stuffy, but the best way to be sure is to get a hearing test. Suzanne wears hearing aids during these segments.
Kelley Smith with CarePartners Senior Living talks about capturing special moments — how we can memorialize these moments to make them last. Take a picture, but frame it and put it up in her room or on her wall, because even if she's in memory care, it helps. Some other ideas are making recordings, scrap books, or a gallery wall.
Kelley Smith with CarePartners Senior Living talks about lightening up a senior loved one's day. One thing Kelley's done often is dressing up in costumes, such as pirates, food, and baseball players. It got to be fun, and it created events that were about them, and helped them look forward to your visit.
In this segment, Alzheimer's disease and dementia expert Dr. Danielle Goldfarb talks about clinical trials. Dr. Goldfarb is a neurologist and psychiatrist, as well as a physician researcher at Banner Sun Health Research Center in Sun Sun City, Arizona. Clinical trials are the cutting edge of new treatments and breakthroughs. In this segment Dr. Goldfarb talks about some of the promising latest news in clinical trials. Visit lift-ad.com for more about the LIFT-AD Phase 2 Study of an Investigational Drug for the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease. Sponsored by Athira Pharma.
Kelley Smith with CarePartners Senior Living talks about how to lighten up and have fun, getting creative, not taking everything your senior loved one says personally. Putting yourself in their shoes, trying to understand and listen as a peer if you can, how would you feel if you were in their situation, helps.
Kelley Smith with CarePartners Senior Living talks about winning the Nesby Glasgow Essence Award. Many reasons for that were for her outside-the-box ideas, such as how to be creative with seniors. In this segment, Kelley talks about how to step into the mindset of being creative in the moment, ways to entertain, be fluid, with seniors. See the award presentation on YouTube.
In this segment, Alzheimer's disease and dementia expert Dr. Danielle Goldfarb talks about clinical trials. Dr. Goldfarb is a neurologist and psychiatrist, as well as a physician researcher at Banner Sun Health Research Center in Sun Sun City, Arizona. Clinical trials in an option for some patients, and it’s beneficial to participate. Dr. Goldfarb talks about what happens when you're considering taking part to help determine whether a newly-developed drug is safe, well-tolerated and effective. Visit lift-ad.com for more about the LIFT-AD Phase 2 Study of an Investigational Drug for the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease. Sponsored by Athira Pharma.
With 9,000 COVID deaths, many of us have lost loved ones recently. Suzanne talks with Cassidy Bastien, an end-of-life doula, about a difficult topic to talk about, the end of life: How to be there for someone when they're dying, and what to say. This segment talks about the family's role, to make sure you know you're loved one's wishes and advocate for them. Visit her Caregivers Hub Support Group at Facebook.
With 9,000 COVID deaths, many of us have lost loved ones recently. Suzanne talks with Cassidy Bastien, an end-of-life doula, about a difficult topic to talk about, the end of life. There comes a time when you're caregiving a loved one when the time is near, we have an option for hospice care. Hospice is the umbrella of care that surrounds end of life. Eligibility comes down to a significant decline, not eating or walking, or a significant weight loss, with a diagnosis of six months or less to live, and a doctor's referral. If you feel that they qualify, you can ask for an evaluation. It focuses on quality of comfort at end of life. Visit her Caregivers Hub Support Group at Facebook.
With 9,000 COVID deaths, many of us have lost loved ones recently. Suzanne talks with Cassidy Bastien, an end-of-life doula, about a difficult topic to talk about, the end of life. Our medical communities often forgets to educate families on the goals of treatment when our senior loved one's health is declining, or has gotten a terminal diagnosis. The goal is no longer to make them better, but to make them comfortable. This segment is about palliative care, which isn't discussed very often. We are so goal-oriented on fixing things, and we end up needing to focus on our quality of life. Palliative care allows for medications and treatment overseen by a palliative care team that works with your primary care physician and experts, and monitors your comfort and how you're doing with your treatments. Visit her Caregivers Hub Support Group at Facebook.
With 9,000 COVID deaths, many of us have lost loved ones recently. Suzanne talks with Cassidy Bastien about a difficult topic to talk about, the end of life. As a family member, how do you support them as they make that transition to the afterlife? Cassidy talks about how to be there for someone when they're dying, and what to say. Cassidy is an end-of-life doula. Visit her Caregivers Hub Support Group at Facebook.
Elder Law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler talks about long term care insurance. Insurance takes the burden from you. You want to look at a stable company and stick with it for life. These are companies you don't see in the news, don't take risks, and have a history. One that underwrites on a long-term care model is best, rather than a disability model.
Elder Law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler talks about planning ahead — what do people need to plan for? When you can't take care of yourself, and you have trouble with activities of daily living — being able to get out of bed or a chair, bathing, eating, toileting, or dressing on your own — you're either injured (temporary) or facing a permanent change. How do you plan ahead for that financially? You can 1) do nothing, 2) buy insurance, or 3) give money away now while you're healthy, and rely on Medicaid later on. If you pick 3, work with a long-term care attorney to find a balance of what you need to care for yourself vs. what you're able to live without. Jim addresses all three choices.
Elder Law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler talks about options if a senior doesn't have enough income to afford Medicare supplemental insurance. If you want to have more than bare Medicare, look for a Medicare Advantage program that does the most for you. Specifically ask for plans that are generous on rehab, because rehab is expensive. Good rehab means a better life after rehab is done. Companies that give you money back, or charge less, means they have less money to cover you with.
This hour, Suzanne Newman talks with the late Seahawks Legend Nesby Glasgow's adult children Brandon, Nesby, and Nicole. Learn more about the Nesby Glasgow Essence Award, which will be awarded on Wednesday December 22 to someone who has made tireless sacrifices in the care of a senior. Nominate a deserving caregiver here!
This hour, Suzanne Newman talks with the late Seahawks Legend Nesby Glasgow's adult children Brandon, Nesby, and Nicole. Learn more about the Nesby Glasgow Essence Award, which will be awarded on Wednesday December 22 to someone who has made tireless sacrifices in the care of a senior. Nominate a deserving caregiver here!
This hour, Suzanne Newman talks with the late Seahawks Legend Nesby Glasgow's adult children Brandon, Nesby, and Nicole. Learn more about the Nesby Glasgow Essence Award, which will be awarded on Wednesday December 22 to someone who has made tireless sacrifices in the care of a senior. Nominate a deserving caregiver here!
This hour, Suzanne Newman talks with the late Seahawks Legend Nesby Glasgow's adult children Brandon, Nesby, and Nicole. Learn more about the Nesby Glasgow Essence Award, which will be awarded on Wednesday December 22 to someone who has made tireless sacrifices in the care of a senior. Nominate a deserving caregiver here!
Suzanne Newman joins Yolanda Morgan, President of the Sea Hawkers, the official booster club of the Seattle Seahawks, to talk about this year's events for the Twelve Days of Goodness. Answers for Elders gears up each December to touch the hearts of seniors with Seahawks Legends in Puget Sound.
Suzanne Newman joins Yolanda Morgan, President of the Sea Hawkers, the official booster club of the Seattle Seahawks, to talk about this year's events for the Twelve Days of Goodness. Answers for Elders gears up each December to touch the hearts of seniors with Seahawks Legends in Puget Sound.
Suzanne Newman joins Yolanda Morgan, President of the Sea Hawkers, the official booster club of the Seattle Seahawks, to talk about this year's events for the Twelve Days of Goodness. Answers for Elders gears up each December to touch the hearts of seniors with Seahawks Legends in Puget Sound.
Suzanne Newman joins Yolanda Morgan, President of the Sea Hawkers, the official booster club of the Seattle Seahawks, to talk about this year's events for the Twelve Days of Goodness. Answers for Elders gears up each December to touch the hearts of seniors with Seahawks Legends in Puget Sound.
Dr. Arif Khan at the Northwest Clinical Research Center talks about Parkinson’s disease and an exciting clinical study by Athira Pharma for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease Dementia (PDD) and Dementia with Lewy Bodies. The medicine is designed to boost a repair and regenerative pathway for brain cells, promoting brain health and function. It's a new approach, potentially targeting the root cause of memory decline by repairing brain cells and rebuilding brain networks. For more information, or to enroll, visit http://shapetrial.com. Dr. Khan is a Board Certified Psychiatrist, an Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine and an Adjunct Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences. Dr. Khan has been conducting clinical trials in the greater Seattle area since 1984 and founded the NorthWest Clinical research Center (NWCRC) in 1995. He has been the Principal Investigator in over 600 clinical trials. In addition, he has published more than 175 scientific papers in leading medical journals. His work on clinical trial design, safety and efficacy is widely recognized and presented at both national and international scientific meetings.
This conversation with Heinz Gehner and Eric Wollan of MorningStar Senior Living has focused on retirement living. In this segment, Suzanne Newman asks Heinz and Eric questions that a consumer should ask about moving into a senior living community. Heinz Gehner is Executive Director, and Eric Wollan is Director of Community Relations, for MorningStar Senior Living at Silver Lake in Everett, Washington. Reach them via their website or by calling 425-438-9080.
This conversation with Heinz Gehner and Eric Wollan of MorningStar Senior Living has focused on retirement living, and the questions to ask to find the right fit for your senior loved one and what questions to ask. This segment helps you weigh the best type of community to move into, and the types of questions you should ask. Gehner is Executive Director, and Wollan is Director of Community Relations, for MorningStar Senior Living at Silver Lake in Everett, Washington. Reach them via their website or by calling 425-438-9080.
We've talked about types of senior living and independent living. At some point, there comes a time to intervene, when a senior loved one's health or situation changes. Heinz Gehner and Eric Wollan of MorningStar Senior Living talk about this time. Being proactive and responsible lets you make those steps in the easiest way possible. Change is hard at any age. This segment talks about how to approach the conversation. They've seen more instances during COVID where the adult child visits, and finds science experiments in the refrigerator, or weeks worth of unopened mail on the dining room table, with bills unpaid. Gehner is Executive Director, and Wollan is Director of Community Relations, for MorningStar Senior Living at Silver Lake in Everett, Washington. Reach them via their website or by calling 425-438-9080.
This segment focuses on the issue of seniors who are living comfortably, but are feeling like the upkeep of the house is too much, or forgetting things, or have mobility issues, or start holding furniture to navigate around the living room. What are the roles of their adult children, and what types of lifestyles do the loved ones want to have? The longer they can do these activities of daily living themselves, the healthier they'll be. Heinz Gehner is Executive Director, and Eric Wollan is Director of Community Relations, for MorningStar Senior Living at Silver Lake in Everett, Washington. Reach them via their website or by calling 425-438-9080.
Heinz Gehner and Eric Wollan of MorningStar Senior Living provide an overview of the various types of senior living. Gehner is Executive Director, and Wollan is Director of Community Relations, for MorningStar Senior Living at Silver Lake in Everett, Washington. In this segment, Heinz and Eric talk about the basics — various choices available when faced with the idea that your senior loved one's home may no longer be a good fit, and managing the transition. Reach them via their website or by calling 425-438-9080.
On this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Suzanne is joined by Suzanne Allbee and Kristen Christian at Bee Organized Seattle about the benefits, simplicity and peace you get from being organized. This segment provides tactics and tips as you ask three questions: what do you need - what do you love - what do you use? Reach Suzanne at suzanne@beeorganized.com. Her office phone number is 206.627.0957, and her cell number is 206.931.2970.
On this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Suzanne is joined by Suzanne Allbee and Kristen Christian at Bee Organized Seattle about the benefits, simplicity and peace you get from being organized. This segment focuses on the power purge. Reach Suzanne at suzanne@beeorganized.com. Her office phone number is 206.627.0957, and her cell number is 206.931.2970.
On this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Suzanne is joined by Suzanne Allbee and Kristen Christian at Bee Organized Seattle about the benefits, simplicity and peace you get from being organized. Kristin is co-founder of Bee Organized and the Chief Marketing Officer of Bee Organized Enterprises.
On this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Suzanne is joined by Suzanne Allbee and Kristen Christian to talk about how to prevent chaos from building up in our lives and in our homes. Professional home organizer Suzanne Allbee is the owner of Bee Organized Seattle. You can reach her at suzanne@beeorganized.com. Her office phone number is 206.627.0957, and her cell number is 206.931.2970.
Suzanne speaks with Phillip George, an elder law and estate planning attorney from Safe Harbor Legal Solutions at 360-746-7169. This segment focuses on what makes a successful retirement plan – it sets up your family so they know what to do, with explicit instructions for any given situation.
Suzanne speaks with Phillip George, an elder law and estate planning attorney from Safe Harbor Legal Solutions at 360-746-7169. This segment addresses things you may be doing that may be a recipe for disaster down the road. A lot of people may think their retirement is set up well by their regular attorney, but regular attorneys aren't familiar with the details of estate plans – this requires an elder law and estate planning attorney. Most plans fail, when judged by their goals, because people don't approach the plans the right way. If you have a stroke, and then rehab while your family is looking for a long-term care facility for, that's when things become a nightmare and this is where normal planning falls off the rails.
Suzanne speaks with Phillip George, an elder law and estate planning attorney from Safe Harbor Legal Solutions at 360-746-7169. This segment focuses on setting goals for retirement planning, and more specifically what those goals should be. The idea is to set up plans to avoid crises in the future. You want to set a direction, know what you're driving towards, and helps people articulate their needs.
Suzanne speaks with Phillip George, an elder law and estate planning attorney from Safe Harbor Legal Solutions at 360-746-7169. As we get close to 2022, it's time to talk about some key issues. No matter if you're 45 or 95, one of the most daunting issues is starting retirement planning. This segment focuses on why it's important to star retirement planning and to set goals. An elder law attorney specializes in helping people create plans as well as helping people if a crisis has struck. Planning ahead of time makes everything so much easier, both for you and your family — so do it for your family.
Since the pandemic started, Dr. Shawn Weiss has seen a rapid decline with people that have cognitive impairment, due to isolation, decreased social interaction, decreased activity levels. Tons of medical studies show that daily activity improves the strength and balance of those with cognitive impairments, even though they might not remember you were there, improvements in appetite, digestion and sleep, and reduced symptoms of sundowners syndrome. Home Health can help focus on what they can do daily, improving quality of life.
In this segment, Dr. Shawn Weiss talks about Home Health eligibility. As long as you're under a physician's care, Medicare pays for these services. How does someone become eligible? Medicare lifted the home-bound status requirement to be eligible for home health services. You need to be under a doctor's care, who must certify that you need intermittent (part-time) nursing care, or therapy services (physical, occupational, or speech therapy) for either restorative or maintenance care. Restorative gets you back to your previous level of function, whereas maintenance allows people with chronic conditions to maintain their current level of function.
In this segment, Dr. Shawn Weiss discusses the skilled side of home health. Since the pandemic, home health has moved to the forefront. Home health providers are licensed and Medicare-certified who come into your home and provide medical skilled services in cooperation with your physician. Providers includes nurses and physical and occupational therapists. There are also non-medical home care agencies that provides housekeeping, meal prep, dressing, transportation, and other a-la-carte services.
With winter coming, prepare now to avoid falls in your home or your parents' home. Dr. Shawn Weiss advises checking the outside of the house for safety at entryways, lighting, clearing pathways to avoid tripping hazards. Winter safety also includes shoes and shovels stored nearby. If there are issues getting in and out of the house, add or check the sturdiness of handrails. Inside the home, make sure rugs can absorb moisture from shoes so they aren't slippery. Winter clothes are also important – make sure the clothing isn't so bulky that it'll catch on something, and that shoes have good tread. Spend extra money to get well-supported, cushioned shoes to minimize pain or negative effects to your stride.
This segment with Dr. Shawn Weiss focuses on how to prevent falls. Fall prevention can be broken down into intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Extrinsic, or environmental, factors involve furniture placement, bed height, seat heights, lighting, rugs, power cords, general clutter in pathways, and so forth. Also, the potential tripping hazards of footwear and clothing. Do you notice whether you or your loved ones have started holding furniture for support while walking? Before winter is a good time to check porches and steps, and consider whether handrails are needed. Intrinsic factors includes medical diagnoses and conditions like COPD, Parkinsons, arthritis, pneumonia, or COVID, which can affect a person's movements and fall risk. Also, some medications can affect movement.
In this hour, Elder Law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler talks about Medicaid, specifically in the long-term-care process as we're aging. This segment focuses on more of the criteria that would allow someone to participate in Medicaid, in particular the ideas of resources and spend-down.
In this hour, Elder Law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler talks about Medicaid, specifically in the long-term-care process as we're aging. This segment focuses on more of the criteria that would allow someone to participate in Medicaid, in particular the ideas of resources and spend-down.
In this hour, Elder Law and long-term-care planning attorney Jim Koewler talks about Medicaid, specifically in the long-term-care process as we're aging. Medicaid is the single biggest payer toward long-term care in the United States. Medicaid for long-term care is different than Medicaid under Obama-care, different than Medicaid for people with disabilities. In this segment, Jim talks about what it is, as well as some of the criteria that would allow someone to participate in Medicaid, covering some of the differences in different states.
In this hour, Elder Law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler answers questions about the daunting world of Medicare. This segment focuses on Part D, the prescription drug coverage.
In this hour, Elder Law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler answers questions about the daunting world of Medicare. Medicare pays 80% of covered costs, and this segment focuses on how you choose to pay for the remaining 20%, clarifying the differences between Medicare Advantage and the supplement program.
In this hour, Elder Law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler answers questions about the daunting world of Medicare. This segment focuses on the differences between the various parts - A, B, C, and D, the big four parts of Medicare. Part A is free if you paid into it while working, and covers 80% of hospitalization costs with a 0 premium. Part B covers non-admission-related hospital costs such as visits by doctors and specialists, paid for with a deduction from social security payments. Part C are advantage plans, which if you elect one would replace your Part A and B options and includes Part D features, covering a lot but not necessarily covering it well. Part D is prescription drug coverage.
In this hour, Elder Law and special needs attorney Jim Koewler answers questions about the daunting world of Medicare. This segment provides an overview of Medicare, the Federally-funded health insurance for people 65 or over. If you're approaching your 65th birthday, start thinking about this: you can sign up three months prior to and up to three months after your birthday. Don't miss that magic window, at it results in getting an annual late-fee penalty, and you might not be able to get the health insurance that you want to go with your Medicare. Medicare covers 80% of covered health costs; vision and dental aren't covered unless they're considered medical treatments.
This hour with Dementia expert Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching deals with how to communicate with loved ones facing Alzheimer's and dementia. This segment recaps the previous segments and focuses on how Faith Marshall can help families faced with this situation.
This hour with Dementia expert Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching deals with how to communicate with loved ones facing Alzheimer's and dementia. This segment focuses on tips for providing energy, important for creating a flow of positive communication.
This hour with Dementia expert Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching deals with how to communicate with loved ones facing Alzheimer's and dementia. This segment focuses on what loved ones pick up on inadvertently, sometimes a repetition of a diagnosis that in most cases isn't positive. Remembering to talk with them, not about them, is key.
Families fave noticed an escalation of Alzheimer's and dementia symptoms after having been separated from senior loved ones for so long during the pandemic. This hour with Dementia expert Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching deals with how to communicate with loved ones facing Alzheimer's and dementia. This segment provides a background into the mind of someone who has Alzheimer's, and how to maintain the respect of our loved ones in the face of frustration and a lack of understanding.
What is the job description of a family caregiver? In this segment, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements focuses on changes in financial management in senior care. The costs of senior care is skyrocketing.
What is the job description of a family caregiver? In this segment, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements focuses on the legal side of family caregiving and what Daphne sees when they're dealing with legal aspects.
What is the job description of a family caregiver? Often a caregiver is overwhelmed by medical terminology. In this segment, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements focuses on what go on in the hospital.
With the arrival of fall, it’s businer at Pinnacle Senior Placements. People recharge their batteries during the summer, as we get back to the realities of life, recently Daphne Davis has seen an increase in younger sons and daughters having to help senior loved ones in their 70s: People in their 30s and 40s with full-time jobs and children are being faced with these challenges. Some families are dealing with cognition challenges from Parkinson's, and some very young people are having strokes. Young people are coming face-to-ace with terms like power of attorney, what does it mean that they can't see their loved one in a hospital, what services are available. Many have asked for guidance navigating the maze of our hospital system. In this segment, Daphne talks about these challenges.
How often have you felt alone in this process of caring for a senior loved one? In this hour, Daphne discusses how you're truly not alone. It's just a matter of reaching out for hope to build relationships with a team of people who have the best interests of your loved one at heart. In this segment, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about caregiver guilt after senior living choices have been made and your senior loved one has moved, and also talks about the repercussions of the decision with the pandemic.
How often have you felt alone in this process of caring for a senior loved one? In this hour, Daphne discusses how you're truly not alone. It's just a matter of reaching out for hope to build relationships with a team of people who have the best interests of your loved one at heart. In this segment, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about what goes on with families during this time when you're a caregiver.
How often have you felt alone in this process of caring for a senior loved one? In this hour, Daphne discusses how you're truly not alone. It's just a matter of reaching out for hope to build relationships with a team of people who have the best interests of your loved one at heart. In this segment, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how it works when Daphne and Pinnacle is invited to have an opportunity to get to know you and your senior loved ones, who you are as people.
How often have you felt alone in this process of caring for a senior loved one? In this hour, Daphne discusses how you're truly not alone. It's just a matter of reaching out for hope to build relationships with a team of people who have the best interests of your loved one at heart. You need to feel comfortable asking any question. Pinnacle can help with senior living decisions. While some choices are different during the pandemic, many are universal with families. In this segment, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements shares some recent stories about helping seniors.
In this hour, professional photographer Dana Chrysler from Bella Vita Creative talks about the importance of seniors being "present" in photos — how to be your authentic self in front of the camera, as hard as that can be for some. Dana talks about providing a legacy for your loved ones through family heirloom photography. Get a free consultation at at bellavitacreative.net.
In this hour, professional photographer Dana Chrysler from Bella Vita Creative talks about the importance of seniors being "present" in photos — how to be your authentic self in front of the camera, as hard as that can be for some. Dana talks about providing a legacy for your loved ones through family heirloom photography. Get a free consultation at at bellavitacreative.net.
In this hour, professional photographer Dana Chrysler from Bella Vita Creative talks about the importance of seniors being "present" in photos — how to be your authentic self in front of the camera, as hard as that can be for some. Dana talks about providing a legacy for your loved ones through family heirloom photography. Get a free consultation at at bellavitacreative.net.
In this hour, professional photographer Dana Chrysler from Bella Vita Creative talks about the importance of seniors being "present" in photos — how to be your authentic self in front of the camera, as hard as that can be for some. Dana talks about providing a legacy for your loved ones through family heirloom photography. Get a free consultation at at bellavitacreative.net.
Shawn Weiss is an expert in the areas of geriatrics, fall prevention, cognitive decline, the benefits and regulations of medicare home health, dementia management, and medicare reimbursement and documentation compliance. In this segment, Shawn updates us on seniors during the pandemic.
Shawn Weiss talks about fall prevention during the pandemic. Shawn is a member of the Ohio Falls Coalition and Ohio Injury Prevention Partnership, has been a physical therapist for 23 years, and is published in Fall Prevention for Residents with Cognitive Deficits residing in Assisted Living Facilities. She talks about why there has been a rising number of falls and fall-related injuries in the aging population during the COVID-19 pandemic, how we can help senior loved ones whose health may have declined during the pandemic, and provides some community resources to seek out.
Shawn Weiss talks about why we're seeing an increase in caregiver burnout, what the symptoms are, and how we can prevent it. Shawn has been the owner of a Home Health Care agency for 18 years and a physical therapist for 23 years.
Shawn Weiss is an expert in the areas of geriatrics, fall prevention, cognitive decline, healthy living, home health, and caregiver training. In this segment, Shawn talks about why summer safety is so important for our senior loved ones, why older adults are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses, and provides some ways our seniors can stay safe and healthy during the summer months.
This hour focuses on reducing family caregiver stress through hypnosis. In this segment, Alzheimer's and dementia expert Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching provides a four-minute sample hypnosis session. Please do not listen while operating machinery or driving. Wait until you're in a safe place where you can relax, sit, and close your eyes. (Image © Can Stock Photo / fizkes)
This hour focuses on reducing family caregiver stress through hypnosis. As you're taking care of a senior loved one, hypnosis can help you regain your sanity. In this segment, Alzheimer's and dementia expert Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching focuses on what happens when you first contact her. An initial conversation determines first steps, individualized to the person. A commonality with caregivers is exhaustion, burnout and fatigue. When people come to a session, people melt into the chair and enjoy it. Similar to meditation, a session starts with muscle relaxation and becoming comfortable with the hypnotist. A session lasts 20 to 30 minutes. Afterward, people feel refreshed and ready for the day, with a recording they can play at night. (Image © Can Stock Photo / fizkes)
This hour focuses on reducing family caregiver stress through hypnosis. A lot of caregivers put themselves last, with lots of negative self-talk, feeling like they can't keep up, aren't good enough, trying to be everything to everybody. In this segment, Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching talks about how she uses hypnosis to help reverse that negativity. She helps people stand in their own power, make their own choices on boundaries, and embrace them, helping caregivers get into a new mindset. Fatigue affects all caregivers, and we can be hypnotized such that a 20-minute session feels like a four-hour power nap. (Image © Can Stock Photo / fizkes)
Alzheimer's and dementia expert Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching talks about the benefits of hypnosis as an aid for families and family caregivers. Stress is always there, but not always self-care. What she loves about hypnosis is it is a short-cut to stress relief. Hypnosis helps our subconscious ignore negative thoughts and guides us through in a positive way. A lot of people don't understand what hypnosis is all about; they're familiar with the stage hypnosis where they heard of a friend who was barking like a dog on stage. We have our own subconscious routines, and we're critical of ourselves or our actions, and that's human nature. Hypnosis can help by creating a sense of calm, similar to meditation.
Now that our parents have moved, how do we relax together and how do we stay connected? Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements explains that no conflict is worth coming apart at the seams with your family, and this discussion focuses on family healing, advocacy and communication.
Before our parents have moved, the family still needs to come together to make decisions regarding the move. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about many considerations families don't think through. It can be overwhelming to go from a quiet family home to a community with 80 other residents. Generally if someone can advocate for themselves, and if they have good safety awareness and judgment, an assisted living solution can be successful. If either of those is missing, you'll run into isolation or falls.
This hour is about healing discourse in families. In this segment, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements focuses on the healing of siblings. A nearly universal theme is the perception of what a parent can and can't do, and where they need help. Another common one is cognition issues: is there short-term memory loss with your parents? Evaluating cognition challenges within a family can be challenging, as one day you could have a coherent conversation with your dad, but the next day he could be delusional, and that's completely normal. Sibling to sibling arguments about what a parent can do can lead to misunderstandings. Having a third party determine a baseline is the best route to go for their dignity and safety.
As families come together again, there's a lot of new strife, anxiety, mistrust of information, and trouble coping with change. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements explains how each family has a unique story, dynamics and different perspectives. Sometimes there's discord when making decisions about senior loved ones and the transition to senior living. Even in a family with lots of information, families can be completely wrong about what's available. A need for healing comes from that discord or a sense of loss at seeing your parents in a different role.
In this vacation hour, Kelley Smith with CarePartners Senior Living talks about how to travel with your senior loved one to get them experiencing life once again. There's still a lot of pandemic fear and lots of questions about bringing joy during a family trip. In this segment, Kelley talks about sporting events and other excursions, staycations that families can do with their senior loved ones locally.
In this vacation hour, Kelley Smith with CarePartners Senior Living talks about how to travel with your senior loved one to get them experiencing life once again. There's still a lot of pandemic fear and lots of questions about bringing joy during a family trip. In this segment, Kelley talks about senior bucket lists, and finding ways to help senior loved ones visit places they'd like to see but never had the opportunity.
In this vacation hour, Kelley Smith with CarePartners Senior Living talks about how to travel with your senior loved one to get them experiencing life once again. There's still a lot of pandemic fear and lots of questions about bringing joy during a family trip. This segment provides an overview of concerns and considerations.
In this vacation hour, Kelley Smith with CarePartners Senior Living talks about how to travel with your senior loved one to get them experiencing life once again. There's still a lot of pandemic fear and lots of questions about bringing joy during a family trip. In this segment, Kelley talks about preparing for a trip. Bring a fact sheet listing their doctor, primary care physician, everyone that might need to be contacted in case of an emergency. Make sure you have a care plan, all the medications. Does the destination have everything in place should there be an emergency? Consider the conditions that might cause trouble if they have hearing, eyesight or mobility issues, because you don't want to get there and have it be an unsafe, unpleasant time for all of you.
This hour, Marci Lobel-Esrig introduces SilverBills, a Nationwide Concierge Bill Manager. Marci is its founder, CEO and General Counsel. In this segment, Marci talks about services for non-seniors, such as family caregivers. High net worth individuals have a family office that handles their finances, and that's what SilverBills provides for ordinary Americans.
This hour, Marci Lobel-Esrig introduces SilverBills, a Nationwide Concierge Bill Manager. Marci is its founder, CEO and General Counsel. SilverBills helps families manage finances, pay bills, and keep good records. In this segment, Marci talks more about what SilverBills does for senior loved ones, describing several scenarios where she's been able to help families.
This hour, Marci Lobel-Esrig introduces SilverBills, a Nationwide Concierge Bill Manager.Marci is its founder, CEO and General Counsel. SilverBills helps families manage finances, pay bills, and keep good records. In this segment, Marci talks about the process of using SilverBills and what it can do for senior loved ones. Computers aren't needed to participate, and services can be provided offline, though you can learn more at https://silverbills.com/.
This hour, Marci Lobel-Esrig introduces SilverBills, a Nationwide Concierge Bill Manager. Marci is its founder, CEO and General Counsel. One of the most challenging aspects of senior care is managing finances. Are the bills getting paid, where are the important documents, are they paying unnecessary bills? It also causes conflict and is a huge undertaking to step into the role of taking over paying bills for a senior loved one. In this segment, Marci talks about her background and various aspects of money management.
Family dynamics: how to be the most supportive and work well in the care of a senior loved one with Alzheimer's. It's more complex than it might seem. In this segment, Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching focuses on helping you find the best choices for your senior loved one and putting together a care plan for families to help them care for a senior loved one with Alzheimer's.
Family dynamics: how to be the most supportive and work well in the care of a senior loved one with Alzheimer's. It's more complex than it might seem. In this segment, Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching focuses on the senior loved one who's being cared for, and how how the dynamics follow the lead of the loved one; how they are dealing with the diagnosis. Patient-centered care is critical, and their daily circumstances, going where they want to go that moment. Some siblings like to redirect them to the present, but eventually you realize that this isn't helpful, and move on and go with it. You never know what to expect.
Family dynamics: how to be the most supportive and work well in the care of a senior loved one with Alzheimer's. It's more complex than it might seem. In this segment, Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching focuses on the first steps toward helping the whole family unit care for a loved one in need. The family needs to decide and respond the one who's going to be with the loved one most often, who is face-to-face with them. Sometimes the person who just has a ten minute phone call with mom at lunch can see nothing amiss. The family needs to learn to honor the person who's dedicated to taking care of mom day to day and respect their opinions.
This hour focuses on family dynamics, and how to be the most supportive and work well in the care of a senior loved one. It's more complex than it might seem. Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching talks about talks about changes that happen within families when a senior loved one is first diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Typically the family has previously noticed some symptoms but some might be in denial about what it means.
Suzanne talks about Washington State opening up after the pandemic, and how Answers for Elders is growing.
In this hour, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how to reduce stress, embrace summer and get back out into the world, with those you haven't seen in a long time. This segment focuses simpler big adventures such as having a barbecue in the back yard, or visiting a park or arboretum, or visiting grand children. Remember that we've not been active for 15 months, and our bodies can stiffen up during a car ride, so plan for rest breaks, or stop for ice cream along the way.
In this hour, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how to embrace summer after our seniors have been isolated for 15 months. This segment focuses on one option, a longer trip such a family vacation, or perhaps a reunion or a drive or flight to visit a family member in a nearby state. Daphne provides advice on how to help your senior loved ones be less stressful during the journey. You may need to learn some new things. If she's flying, for instance, you may need to call ahead and arrange for them to have an escort in the airport. For instance, Daphne's mom can walk the distance, but considers whether she would be able to get to the gate on time to make the flight.
In this hour, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how to reduce stress, embrace summer and get back out into the world, with those you haven't seen in a long time. In this segment, Daphne focuses on advice to help your mom or dad transition if they haven't been out during the pandemic. Daphne gives advice and tips even with the logistical functions of simple things, like getting into a car and securing their seat belt. Reassure them that it's OK to have help, best smart even with the simple things.
In this hour, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how to reduce stress, embrace summer and come out of the shadows of the pandemic, and how to do that with senior loved ones. This segment focuses on a reminder that even if you're just picking up your mom with a car, prepare for things to take longer. Take time to chat with them and think about things that might be different in their lives. For instance, ask if they're stressed about going out, are they cold, do they have everything they need, and so forth. If you've noticed changes with your loved one, and Daphne also talks about a groundbreaking national organization with a Washington chapter that can help people those types of situations, the National Placement and Referral Alliance at NPRalliance.org, a group that is elevating the placement industry with ethics and best practices nationwide. They take the time to give you firsthand information about care options as they embrace the next stages of their life.
In this hour, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how to reduce stress, embrace summer and come out of the shadows of the pandemic, especially in the beautiful scenery of the Pacific Northwest, and how to do that with our senior loved ones. Though conditions vary by state, many want to just move forward, after discovering our true values and how important our family is. Be true to yourself, do things that have high value to yourself. Figure what the risks are and how to mitigate them. Maybe it's a road trip, the key thing is to plan for whatever you're doing. Slow down from our usual fast pace, plan for things to take longer with our senior loved ones.
As we talk about transitioning our senior loved ones out of the pandemic this Father's Day weekend, Kelley Smith talks about CarePartners Senior Living's various community outreach programs.
As we talk about transitioning out of the pandemic on Father's Day weekend, CarePartners Senior Living's Kelley Smith talks about if you've had a loved one stuck at home these past 450 days, how do you help bring them back into the world, as well as how to assess whether they might need additional care.
As we talk about transitioning out of the pandemic and how it affected seniors on Father's Day weekend, CarePartners Senior Living's Kelley Smith talks about how to assess if their senior loved ones are depressed or if their health has changed, and what their expectations are when the subject of senior living is approached.
On Father's Day weekend, with the state of Washington scheduled to open June 30 after 15 months of the pandemic. Kelley Smith talks about how COVID has affected seniors and updates us on various CarePartners Senior Living openings and remodels at various senior living communities. For 450 days we've all dealt with the pandemic, but what about our loved ones? Seniors are watching their restaurants go out of town, changes to the Seattle atmosphere, their friends may have died of COVID, they don't get to see their family members, with COVID restricting socialization.
Elder Law Attorney Jim Koewler talks about advanced directives, crucial for family caregivers.
Elder Law Attorney Jim Koewler talks about the dynamics of the legal side of elder care. Your elder care attorney can be your greatest asset. Jim talks about some of the changes that have happened during the pandemic. For instance, It's easier to stay on Medicaid and easier to get on Medicaid, but the general lack of ability to pay for long-term care hasn't changed.
Allyson Schrier, co-founder of Zinnia TV, talks about what's next for the streaming service optimized for people who are living with dementia and Alzheimer's: free versions, a subscription service, and other plans for the future.
Allyson Schrier, co-founder of Zinnia TV, talks about the reasons why she developed a streaming service optimized for people who are living with dementia and Alzheimer's. She explained how she would visit her husband, who had dementia and resided in a senior living community, but while there she noticed that some of the residents were watching TV, some were asleep in front of it, and some were becoming agitated by what they saw on the screen. We don't want our senior loved ones falling asleep in front of the television – that means they'll have trouble falling asleep at night. People with dementia can't tell fact from fiction, and they have difficulty following a plot. She found a paper on the topic that found that the most engaging images were kind of like a slideshow, moving slowly enough that they could follow it, with music that didn't conflict with what they were seeing on the screen. This led her to more research, and then to the idea of showing her husband things like that instead. She realized she made to make that programming herself.
Allyson Schrier, co-founder of Zinnia TV, talks about what happens exactly to the cognitive decline that comes with dementia and Alzheimer's. These diseases and others like them have four things in common. They all impact two parts of the brain, causing a loss of brain tissue. They are all chronic, progressive and fatal. When they impact two parts of the brain, the skills associated with those two parts are lost. Alzheimer's affects the left temporal lobe, where language is stored, and the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory and wayfinding. That's why those with Alzheimer's eventually have trouble speaking, finding their way around, and remembering.
Zinnia TV is an incredible new streaming service with programming optimized for people living with dementia. Allyson Schrier, co-founder of Zinnia TV, talks about the service, her story, and how she learned to communicate better with those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's. Allyson has been a Family Care Partner for loved ones living with dementia and firmly believes that there is life to be lived and loved with or without a dementia diagnosis. She also works at Project ECHO Dementia, a program of the Memory and Brain Wellness Center Clinic at the University of Washington.
Senior fitness specialist Tracy Cromwell is a certified behavioral and nutrition coach and personal trainer. In this segment, Tracy talks about mind-body awareness. What are the things you're telling your body, unconscious choices you're making? She demonstrates the difference between how your body and brain will react to things you say. Learn more at www.tracycromwell.com.
Senior fitness specialist Tracy Cromwell is a certified behavioral and nutrition coach and personal trainer. In this segment, Tracy explains how your body is your number one teammate. It's always trying to do its best for you, and does everything it can for you. It's a miracle creation and it's very forgiving. Look at it with compassion and empathy – a lot of people have gained weight during COVID – and treat it, care for it, treat it like your favorite car. Learn more at www.tracycromwell.com.
Senior fitness specialist Tracy Cromwell is a certified behavioral and nutrition coach and personal trainer. In this segment, Tracy talks about how our bodies change as we age. There are different states: chronological biological, and functional aging. Chronological aging is how long we've lived. Biological aging is the amount of decline evident in our tissues and organ systems. Functional aging is measured by the use of attributes such as our mobility, appearance, our strength and mental capacity, and the declines are independent of illness. There's also secondary aging, resulting from the effects of environment and illness. Everybody ages differently. The body wants to heal itself, and we are caretakers of our bodies. Learn more at www.tracycromwell.com.
Senior fitness specialist Tracy Cromwell is a certified behavioral and nutrition coach, and personal trainer. In this segment, Tract talks about our evolving health as we age. She shares what led to discover her calling as a coach and trainer, learning how miraculous our bodies are, and realizing she was not alone, that her experience could help others. She is the author of the book "Your Personal Journey With Food." Learn more at www.tracycromwell.com.
Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching shares her experiences with her mom that inspired her to write her book "I Miss You Mom, A Daughter's Journey into Dementia Land" about that Alzheimer's journey. She also talks more about what services she provides when you call.
Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching talks about how to honor, celebrate and navigate the grief that arises when a loved one passes and how she can help families ground themselves during the process.
During this new normal, we've become more sensitive to personal space. Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching talks about the hope that we reunite with our loved ones. Faith provides some advice for how to manage your expectations, by getting a feeling for how they're reacting to the new normal: seeing people on the streets wearing masks, people in lines at the store six feet apart, and so forth.
Families are seeing new developments with senior loved ones in senior care after having been apart from them. Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching provides advice for how to reconnect with senior loved ones after the isolation brought about by the pandemic and addresses the fear: Will Mom remember me when I visit her?
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about helping families every day to go through the transitions process. How do you prepare yourself as children and as the person moving during the actual physical changes? There are emotional changes, physical responsibilities that are no longer yours. She talks about how to shift your perspective to having a caretaker be your eyes and ears for your loved ones, how to build that trust, and how to help your loved ones build trust with their caregivers.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about the logistics of a move from a house to a senior living situation, as well as the medical issues and state requirements. You're downsizing, selling your home, you need delineated piles for downsizing, and lots of people get overwhelmed with it all. It's a universal issue, it's normal. There are people to help with those things.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how to prepare for transition time, the early stages. Moves don't often happen right away, but it's important to be prepared. Pinnacle helps facilitate conversations about change. Change is very difficult for some people, but someday you're not going to be able to keep up the yard, or go up and down stairs. Don't make this topic the elephant in the room.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about new transitions as things are opening up from the pandemic. A lot of families are thinking about how to being the transition from living at home to a senior living situation. Take this one step at a time. Have these conversations sooner than later, before there's an emergency, is commendable, as it can take six months to a couple of years of conversations. Lots of matters should be addressed early, such as having legal documents in order: power of attorney for medical and legal matters, who's the executor of their will, and so forth. It's important to have input from decision makers while they still can make those decisions.
Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching shares her story. She journaled her ten years of caregiving during her mother's journey with Alzheimer's and published it as a helpful guide in "I Miss You Mom, A Daughter's Journey into Dementia Land."
Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching talks about coping with grief. Many people have lost someone to COVID or know of someone who has, which brings a heaviness to your heart. While dealing with that with someone with dementia is a bit of a challenge, her heart goes out to the families who understand the current situation and have lost someone they loved, and are faced with whether or how to explain that to a loved one with dementia. I think we need to say it, and share that grief, and see how our loved ones respond. It can be heavy on your heart to have that expectation of sadness, and maybe you get it and maybe you don't.
Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching talks about communicating and reconnecting with senior loved ones during the pandemic, as we've been programmed to be distant, respecting spaces and creating barriers, even when vaccinated. In this new normal, those in senior care have seen changes, but you have to connect with them as they're able, understanding that their memory is tricky and they may not have realized that this new normal has lasted for more than a year.
Faith Marshall of Awakenings Hypnosis & Coaching is a published author and expert on Alzheimer’s and dementia with a new approach. In this segment, Faith discusses the fear that we’ve been reaching out to our loved ones in senior centers via Zoom, or phone calls or with a window separating them, and being afraid that they won’t remember us when we’re finally able to reconnect with them in person. I would just want to run in and give them a big hug, but it may be better first to gauge how they’ll respond to that, taking a baby-steps journey toward becoming reacquainted, meeting them where they psychologically.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how everyone needs the confidence to speak their mind from a place of kindness, but as families begin to face these sorts of challenges, the parent/child relationship often gets in the way. For instance, the child wants their parent to continue making decisions, while at the same time the parent may have reached a stage in their life where they think they'd like to have help with certain things yet they have this parental role where they feel they need to maintain their image, or level of responsibility,or their authority. So both parties really want to come together in the middle but don't know how.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements discusses what is involved when you face decisions regarding care for your senior loved ones when they live in a different state than you do.
In this two-part show, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements discusses how to move forward with our senior loved ones during the COVID-19 reality. In this segment, Davis tells a story that started 2 1/2 years ago about senior care.
In this two-part show, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements discusses how to navigate senior care options with the reality of the pandemic as of May 2021. While things are changing, no matter what your decisions are — to have a COVID shot or not, to be in senior housing or not — there are options for your senior loved ones. We're still changing from phase to phase in the state of Washington, but pay attention most to how the changes affect your life and your decisions. Your senior loved one can still receive quality care even if they haven't gotten a vaccine.
Jill Martinez, director of community relations for CarePartners Living, discusses financial planning.
Jill Martinez, director of community relations for CarePartners Living, discusses Alzheimer's disease and CarePartners cottages.
Jill Martinez, director of community relations for CarePartners Living, discusses fall prevention and health.
Jill Martinez, director of community relations for CarePartners Living, discusses their Seattle-area North End communities.
In this segment sponsored by Athira Pharma focused on Alzheimer's disease, Suzanne speaks with Dr. Arif Kahn, Adjunct Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences. Dr. Khan has been conducting clinical trials in the greater Seattle area since 1984 and founded the NorthWest Clinical Research Center in 1995. He has been the Principal Investigator in over 600 clinical trials and has published more than 175 scientific papers in leading medical journals. He is also a Board Certified Psychiatrist and an Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine.
In this three-part show, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements provides some tools and tips of the trade for family caregivers. One thing that's key is for the caregiver to reach out to others whenever they're feeling weary. And for other family remembers, remember that you're not walking in the shoes of the caregiver.
In this three-part show, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements provides some tools and tips of the trade for family caregivers. One thing that's key is for the caregiver to reach out to others whenever they're feeling weary. And for other family remembers, remember that you're not walking in the shoes of the caregiver.
In this three-part show, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements provides some tools and tips of the trade for family caregivers. One thing that's key is for the caregiver to reach out to others whenever they're feeling weary. And for other family remembers, remember that you're not walking in the shoes of the caregiver.
AFE has partnered with Athira Pharma for outreach on new clinical trials for ATH-1017, an investigational treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease. In this segment, Dr. David Greeley, MD, FAAN, founder of Northwest Neurological, focuses on the details of clinical trials and what they mean for you and your family. Northwest Neurological in Spokane, Washington provides medical services to patients with neurological concerns — especially movement disorders (Parkinson's disease, tremor, etc.) and dementia (such as Alzheimer's disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies).
CarePartners Senior Living's Kelley Smith joins community relations directors Amanda Kirilenko (Vineyard Park Puyallup, Cottages at Edgewood) and Holly Carr (Cottages Lacey, Cottages University Place) for a three-part conversation about Alzheimer's. This segment focuses on the staff and their qualifications, and the activities that can help improve the quality of life for those impacted by Alzheimer's.
CarePartners Senior Living's Kelley Smith joins community relations directors Amanda Kirilenko (Vineyard Park Puyallup, Cottages at Edgewood) and Holly Carr (Cottages Lacey, Cottages University Place) for a three-part conversation about Alzheimer's. This segment focuses on CarePartners' cottages concept.
CarePartners Senior Living's Kelley Smith joins community relations directors Amanda Kirilenko (Vineyard Park Puyallup, Cottages at Edgewood) and Holly Carr (Cottages Lacey, Cottages University Place) for a three-part conversation about Alzheimer's. This segment is an overview of the different types of dementia.
In this segment sponsored by Athira Pharma, Suzanne speaks with Dr. Charles Bernick, MD, MPH, a clinical professor at the University of Washington Department of Neurology who has researched Alzheimer's disease and treatments for 25 years. He is Director of Clinical Trials for the Memory & Brain Wellness Clinic and a co-investigator at the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
Marilyn Raichle, Executive Director of the Maude’s Awards, talks about innovations and breakthroughs in the field of Alzheimer's Disease and her vision for the 2021 Awards.
Allyson Schrier of Thriving with Dementia talks about the background becoming a 2020 Maude’s Awards Awardee. She works at Project ECHO Dementia, a program of the Memory and Brain Wellness Center Clinic at the University of Washington. Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) Dementia is a learning model in which front-line care providers from around the state of Washington meet in a web-based virtual conference room with an interdisciplinary panel of experts in memory loss and dementia. A brief 15-minute didactic is followed by an hour of case-based learning where everyone at the table is both a teacher and a learner.
6s1Dm5jFxsuQdDP4S1en
Executive Director Marilyn Raichle joins us for part 2 of a conversation with 2020 Maude's Awards Awardee Allyson Schrier of Thriving with Dementia.
Executive Director Marilyn Raichle joins us with 2020 Maude's Awards Awardee Allyson Schrier of Thriving with Dementia.
In this four-part show, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about end of life care. In this segment, Daphne addresses first steps to take. In this segment, Daphne talks about some of the details, including the executor of their estate.
In this four-part show, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about end of life care. In this segment, Daphne addresses first steps to take. In this segment, Daphne talks about the benefits of having a third party advisor to help.
In this four-part show, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about end of life care. In this segment, Daphne addresses first steps to take.
In this four-part show, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about end of life care. In this segment, Daphne tells her story.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living talks about their communities in Pierce County, Washington, specifically Vinyard Park in Puyallup.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living talks about their communities in Pierce County, Washington.
If you have a loved one or friend who has Alzheimer’s disease you may be interested in a brand-new cutting edge clinical study being conducted by Athira Pharma. Athira is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies to restore neuronal health and stop neurodegeneration. The company’s goal is to alter the course of neurological diseases and dementias, such as Alzheimer’s, so that patients can regain their memories, lives and family relationships.
For the past several years, we at Answers for Elders have been watching the developments and achievements that are being made to fight the disease. We do believe that a cure is on the horizon, and we’re grateful to organizations like Athira who are making breakthroughs toward that cure! If your friend or loved one meets the criteria, they could benefit from a study of this kind.
On Answers for Elders Radio, we interviewed Dr. Hans Moebius, Chief Medical Officer of Athira Pharma, as he discussed Athira’s innovative regenerative approach to Alzheimer’s disease focused on promoting the body’s natural repair systems.
A key leader in the neurology field for decades, Dr. Moebius discusses the historical landscape of Alzheimer’s disease therapies, and highlights Athira’s innovative and novel approach. This approach has broader therapeutic potential to address multiple dementias, including Parkinson’s disease and many other central nervous system disorders.
Now Enrolling: Athira has two late-stage clinical trials available for Alzheimer’s patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease in many locations all across the United States and Australia. Those interested in learning more, are encouraged to visit athiraclinicaltrials.com. Related expenses to trial participation are paid for by Athira Pharma and are at no cost to study participants.
The Athira team is motivated and passionate towards making a positive impact on human health. To learn more about the company, visit athira.com.
To learn more about their Alzheimer’s clinical trials visit www.athiraclinicaltrials.com.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements explores the question of whether we should move mom or dad into our home, a very common question recently. This segment addresses the emotional and spiritual aspects of caring for someone in your home. Inter-generational bonding is priceless, and there's a heartwarming aspect.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements explores the question of whether we should move mom or dad into our home, a very common question recently. This segment addresses some of the expenses involved in caring for someone in your home. Remember that they will need to feel productive and contributing. It helps to have a third party help with these conversations.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements explores the question of whether we should move mom or dad into our home, a very common question recently. This segment addresses some of the physical concerns needed to address while caring for someone in your home. Issues such as logistics, transportation, accommodating loved ones with dementia, and there are many aspects of a care plan to look at.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements provides an overview of family transitions today, how to best take care of senior loved ones. What does this look like for families today? In the last few weeks, a question that's come up more often is whether to have a senior love one move into your home. It comes up in light of the pandemic and issues of whether you're able to visit your parents or not in senior living situations. In this segment, we highlight topics to talk about with your parents and others in your family when considering having a loved one move into your home.
In the second part of this conversation, Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living defines the various types of assisted living services and the CarePartners process.
In this two-part conversation, Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living defines the various types of assisted living services and the CarePartners process.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living talks about how the vaccine is impacting protocols and safety. Those in home care agencies are doing a great job of keeping their seniors as engaged as possible, but they don't have the same restrictions as those in assisted living facilities.
Kelley Smith updates us on the status of COVID vaccinations at CarePartners Senior Living. In our industry, most of us are so excited to get it because of the hope behind it. We do this from the heart and love the people we care for. This vaccine has renewed passions to be able to take care of our senior loved ones.
In the first Answers for Elders radio show of 2021, managing director DeAnne Clune talks about Seniors Better Together, which teams up with senior living providers across the country to share positive stories of what is happening in their communities. This segment focuses on how senior communities are doing. They are the unsung heroes in terms of their focus in keeping residents and staff safe during the pandemic.
In the first Answers for Elders radio show of 2021, managing director DeAnne Clune talks about Seniors Better Together, which teams up with senior living providers across the country to share positive stories of what is happening in their communities. This segment focuses on some of the concerns families have with senior living arrangements.
In the first Answers for Elders radio show of 2021, managing director DeAnne Clune talks about Seniors Better Together, which teams up with senior living providers across the country to share positive stories of what is happening in their communities. This segment focuses on when and why people need to seek help with their senior loved ones.
In the first Answers for Elders radio show of 2021, managing director DeAnne Clune talks about Seniors Better Together, which teams up with senior living providers across the country to share positive stories of what is happening in their communities. This segment focuses on the mission of the organization.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about looking forward to 2021 and bridging towards a new chapter in this new normal.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about about connecting with seniors during COVID.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about using Zoom and other creative ways to reach out to our family members during the pandemic.
Kelley Smith from CarePartners Senior Living talks about cottages at CarePartners Senior Living.
Kelley Smith from CarePartners Senior Living talks about assisted living facilities at Vineyard Park.
Kelley Smith from CarePartners Senior Living talks about how a family will know when the time is right to consider moving a senior loved one into an assisted living situation.
Kelley Smith from CarePartners Senior Living talks about how to maintain safety during the holiday season for our senior loved ones who live independently.
Kelley Smith from CarePartners Senior Living talks about the changes and adaptations healthcare professionals make in response to COVID government mandates. From changes in clothing to disinfecting surfaces, we must now be constantly mindful of caring for the environment of our senior loved ones.
Kelley Smith from CarePartners Senior Living talks about inaccurate portrayals of healthcare workers in the media. A recent story in the press misrepresented CarePartners, relating only one side of the story and failing to provide context.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about various ways we can be grateful. There are lot of good people with good hearts helping care for our seniors. There are few without good hearts, and one thing to be thankful for is having another partner with you helping to vet those who are helping.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about what you're grateful for over the holidays. And if you have senior loved ones, how you can help them feel gratitude as well. Daphne talks about how she helps makes things easier for families, even more now than before.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about practical gratitude for the holidays.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about giving thanks over the holidays.
Executive Director Marilyn Raichle joins us to talk about the Maude's Awards for Innovations in Alzheimer's Care.
Executive Director Marilyn Raichle joins us to talk about the Maude's Awards for Innovations in Alzheimer's Care.
Executive Director Marilyn Raichle joins us to talk about the Maude's Awards for Innovations in Alzheimer's Care.
Executive Director Marilyn Raichle joins us to talk about the Maude's Awards for Innovations in Alzheimer's Care.
Rebecca Bomann talks about the benefits of using SASH Realty, (Sell A Senior's Home), serving the entire Puget Sound region of the Pacific Northwest.
Rebecca Bomann talks about the process of using SASH Realty, serving the entire Puget Sound region of the Pacific Northwest.
Rebecca Bomann introduces the services of SASH Realty serving the entire Puget Sound region of the Pacific Northwest.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about preventing injuries with seniors, and helping you senior loved one's future in their everyday life. How do you prepare them for changes that could come to honor their dignity and include them in the conversation.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about preventing injuries with seniors, and helping you senior loved one's future in their everyday life. How do you prepare them for changes that could come to honor their dignity and include them in the conversation.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about preventing injuries with seniors, and helping you senior loved one's future in their everyday life. How do you prepare them for changes that could come to honor their dignity and include them in the conversation.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about preventing injuries with seniors, and helping you senior loved one's future in their everyday life. How do you prepare them for changes that could come to honor their dignity and include them in the conversation.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about finding a solution for every senior loved one's challenges. As we work through the process, she sees joy all the time. Adult family homes have really come through lately, as well as assisted living.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about overcoming challenges of communicating with the doctor, nursing staff, social workers, physical therapists at a hospital, rehab community or nursing home during the pandemic.
Adaptive living poses further challenges for seniors at home during COVID. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about ways we can all take advantage of creative ways to be sociable and safely interact.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about adjustments and improvements that have been made for allowing personal access to senior loved ones who are living in senior living environments. Engagement is also possible through Zoom with a tablet.
Larry Nisenson, SVP and Chief Commercial Officer at Genworth Financial, joins Suzanne for this show to discuss Genworth's trailblazing help for family caregivers. Nobody plans to be a caregiver – you're suddenly thrust into this role when you least expect it, and Larry has been through it twice. In this segment, Larry talks more about carescout.com, a recourse for caregivers.
Larry Nisenson, SVP and Chief Commercial Officer at Genworth Financial, joins Suzanne for this show to discuss Genworth's trailblazing help for family caregivers. Nobody plans to be a caregiver – you're suddenly thrust into this role when you least expect it, and Larry has been through it twice. In this segment, Larry talks about his caregiver stories. We share so many stories on our website about caregivers, and many resources. carescout.com houses caregiver service information, and elder-answers.com has more information.
Larry Nisenson, SVP and Chief Commercial Officer at Genworth Financial, joins Suzanne for this show to discuss Genworth's trailblazing help for family caregivers. Nobody plans to be a caregiver – you're suddenly thrust into this role when you least expect it, and Larry has been through it twice. In this segment, Larry talks about how the challenges of the pandemic is affecting caregivers.
Larry Nisenson, SVP and Chief Commercial Officer at Genworth Financial, joins Suzanne for this show to discuss Genworth's trailblazing help for family caregivers. Nobody plans to be a caregiver – you're suddenly thrust into this role when you least expect it, and Larry has been through it twice. In this segment, Larry introduces Genworth, which originated long-term care policies more than 40 years ago. These policies help provide a way for people to finance their own aging. It takes the financial burden away, but it doesn't take the emotional burden away for caregivers.
Larry's father had a long-term care policy but was still struck by all the other challenges. When he joined Genworth, he looked for what more the company could do for caregivers to provide help, education, and awareness.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how family members can learn what's available for senior housing, what facilities are available when COVID prevents personal tours. Don't let fears of technology keep you from taking advantage of virtual tours and other advances.
Some are struggling with living with so many restrictions imposed on us. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements suggests improving your mindset by plying the middle ground between personal compromise and seeing the bigger picture. Try and live “above the line,” not let ourselves get mired in negatively, and it will improve the microcosm of our lives.
With the added complications of a senior loved one needing care during COVID-19, families are wondering if making changes will add to the risk factors for senior loves ones. But where and when senior loved ones need care has not changed. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements suggests looking at how changes could be beneficial.
In July, 2020, we're still sheltering in place, especially those of us 65 and older. Going into our fifth month of the pandemic, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about becoming more self-aware of how this isolation affects us, and how it affects caregivers.
With seniors having been in pandemic lockdown at senior communities for more than 120 days, this has been a difficult time for families. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements updates us on where we are in the process and takes an emotional temperature of our seniors.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements provides a snapshot of the status of senior care regarding COVID-19. Adult family homes provide a lot of flexibility in care and financing for senior living, and are the easiest for converting finances to Medicaid, to maximize the buying power of each person's estate.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements provides a snapshot of the status of senior care regarding COVID-19. We all crave other connections now, but we need to be mindful of how families are coming together. Here are some success stories.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements provides a snapshot of the status of senior care regarding COVID-19. With senior communities on lockdown, families can find help with senior loved ones. Now is the time to reach out for help, don't do it alone. Get real information that you need and confirm it, because there is a lot of help out there.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements provides a snapshot of the status of senior care regarding COVID-19. Now that it's June, seniors have been in lock-down for 120 days, making it a difficult time for families and bring on some despair for senior loved ones, but there are some success stories as well.
Angelia Brigance describes the methods used to keep senior care staff and residents safe during the pandemic, and the various stages of reopening. Allowing visitors would be among the last stages. Angelia is executive director of Harbour Pointe Senior Living and author of “Finding Rose,” about how to support a loved one through dementia.
COVID-19 has affected dementia patients, with their symptoms being mildly more pronounced from the disruptions to their daily routines, as they're no longer participating in daily activities and coming to meals three times a day. They don't understand why they can't hug their family members, or have to talk to them through glass Even those with dementia at home are dealing with this: Facial expression is a huge component of communication, and mask wearing blocks that and contributes to fearful feelings. Angelia Brigance described things people can do in the community to help interact with seniors. Angelia is executive director of Harbour Pointe Senior Living and author of “Finding Rose,” about how to support a loved one through dementia.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about COVID-19 changes and operating in the “new normal.”
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about COVID-19 changes and operating in the “new normal.”
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about COVID-19 changes and operating in the “new normal.”
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about COVID-19 changes and operating in the “new normal.”
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements gives us more things to be thankful for during COVID crisis.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements gives us some action items while staying at home COVID crisis.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements helps us think of things to be thankful for during COVID crisis.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements updates us on how Pinnacle can help during the COVID crisis.
Tips for working through COVID-19 while Aging in Place are provided by Annie Jacobsen, client care manager at Home Care Assistance in Seattle and dementia coach & trainer at Jacobsen Dementia Care Coaching. She also describes how dementia affects brain functions.
Tips for working through COVID-19 while Aging in Place are provided by Annie Jacobsen, client care manager at Home Care Assistance in Seattle and dementia coach & trainer at Jacobsen Dementia Care Coaching.
Karrie Austin at DispatchHealth talks about the specific symptoms of COVID-19. If a patient reports symptoms of the flu, or suspects they might have COVID-19, DispatchHealth asks additional risk-assessment questions. The CDC.gov site answers most questions. King County has set up a COVID-19 hotline at 206-477-3977 to answer questions and direct people. DispatchHealth had partnered with MultiCare to provide free COVID-19 e-visits to anyone with those symptoms. Visit multicare.org/virtualcare and type in the promo code COVID-19 to get a free consultation. DispatchHealth can also send out a team to care for you in your own home.
Karrie Austin at DispatchHealth explains how to protect ourselves from COVID-19 and alleviate fears.
With the current state of emergency regarding the outbreak of Coronavirus in Washington, Karrie Austin at DispatchHealth dispels common misconceptions about COVID-19.
Cheryl Guenther and Terri Wilson at Koelsch Senior Living Communities talk more about their organization.
Cheryl Guenther and Terri Wilson talk about Koelsch Senior Living Communities, the presenting sponsor for Discovery 2020 in the Linwood Convention Center on April 1. They will introduce Benjamin Surmi, a fantastic speaker.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living discusses Alzheimer's and Dementia care in Washington state. They provide support groups for family caregivers, a safe place where they can talk about caregiving. We also do family nights and respites, even for early onset seniors. If we do an assessment and they're not a good fit for us, we'll refer them to the right service.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living talks about medication management. It's a big deal because as we age we can get forgetful. There are a hundred reasons why we're on certain medications. If you take too much or too little, the medication could either cause damage or be ineffective. Certain medications for seizures, blood pressure, diabetes or pain have to be taken regularly or they don't work.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living talks about assisted living, which means something different for everybody because it's so customized. Every single resident has an individualized care plan, whether it be medication management or their activity levels have tapered off, all based on the nurse's full assessment.
Kelley Smith from CarePartners Senior Living talks about the top concerns family members have for their senior loved ones: nutrition, fall risks, medication concerns, and socialization.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements discusses aspects of physical health and wellness. This segment focuses on integrating these aspects of body, mind and spirit: having the courage to have conversations, to talk to someone, about having a life of living, vs. one of just surviving.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements discusses aspects of physical health and wellness: the body, mind and spirit. This segment focuses on our spirit, which covers your happiness level, your spirituality grounding and core that keeps you centered. These are the things that give you a sense of joy, peace, satisfaction, contentment, happiness.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements discusses aspects of your physical health and wellness: the body, mind and spirit. This segment focuses on our mind, various aspects of mental health.
Valentine's Day is about connections, acknowledging those you love and appreciate, as well as taking time for yourself. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements discusses aspects of your physical health and wellness: the body, mind and spirit. As we age, there are definitely changes in our body, our machinery. It is a machine and it does need to have some tweaking, some oil changes and tune-ups. Don't be afraid to do those things to keep our bodies at optimum efficiency. Keep in mind nutrition, medication and hydration.
Dan Redler from We Speak Medicare walks us through different types of healthcare plans for seniors.
Dan Redler and Dan Leary from We Speak Medicare talk about how healthcare for seniors comes from primary care, specialists, and from the insurance side. There are multiple types of insurance, from Medicare to people with low incomes that qualify for low income coverage. Dual eligible people are on Medicaid and Medicare. There are Veterans benefits. Given the gamut of plans, you need to go over the options to find the right plan.
Dan Redler and Dan Leary from We Speak Medicare walk us through what to expect during a consultation and needs analysis when selecting your annual Medicare plan. Bring a list of medications so we can look up their costs with differing plans. We can look up your specialists, primary care physician, physical therapists, occupational therapists to see if they'll be in your network next year. Sixty percent of the time you're paying more for your medications than you need to. If you talk to an agent who only represents one line, they'll only be able to present you with options from them. A broker who looks at multiple lines can find the best plan for you.
People on Medicare Advantage plans can make changes to it from January 1 to March 31. Dan Redler and Dan Leary from We Speak Medicare provide more information on these periods so you get the best benefits and being prepared for the year to come. Plans send a notice of changes, some of which can be at least a hundred pages long. We Speak Medicare can explain these changes succinctly.
During the holiday season, family members tend to visit their senior loved ones around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and then the attention drops off. Kelley Smith describes how CarePartners Living ramps up activities after the holidays to keep the momentum going, so residents don't suffer from loneliness following that surge of holiday attention.
Culture, Connections and Celebrations: how to communicate and establish rapport. Some of our senior loved ones may have some communications challenges or issues due to Alzheimer's Disease or dementia. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements discusses tips for making your visits go better.
DispatchHealth is a Gold Sponsor for the 2019 12 Days of Goodness and its mission to raise awareness for senior loved ones that are without regular visitors. Karrie Austin talks about being able to spend an hour with each person, get to know them and connect them with resources, such activities of daily living, meals on wheels. Sometimes a senior is lonely and needs someone to talk to.
Karrie Austin with DispatchHealth provides an overview of the company and its services. DispatchHealth partners to increase access to healthcare for seniors in their own homes, reducing costs and making healthcare a better experience. Patients and have better outcomes at home. All seniors have to do is call and someone comes over. We would sent out a nurse practitioner or PA and an EMT-trained technician with access to a board-certified physician. They travel with a mobile lab that can do tests immediately and mobile pharmacies to bring prescriptions right to them.
Samantha George from Humana talks about medicare options for veterans. The first two parts are the original medicare: part A is for hospital care, part B is medical insurance for doctor's visits. Part C, also known as medicare advantage, is an alternative for A and B that provided additional services and some drug coverage. Part D is prescription drug coverage, an optional one but valuable if you have certain prescriptions. If you don't sign up when you're first eligible, you are permanently penalized with an annual fee, so it's important to talk with a licensed agent and asses the appropriate coverage for you, as it stays with you for life. Eligibility typically begins at age 65, unless you qualify early through disease or disability.
Answers for Elders is getting ready to kick off the 12 Days of Goodness with Samantha George, Seattle's medicare sales manager for Humana. Humana is a health and well-being company, and our focus is on giving people the ability to achieve their best health. In Washington state, we're best known for our Medicare Advantage products.
Culture, Connections and Celebrations: how to communicate and establish rapport. For people who haven’t seen their senior loved one in a while, or feel guilty for not having visited in a while and think perhaps that they shouldn’t go. We all have these feelings, and they can grow and grow in our own minds rather than in reality. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about having the courage to get over ourselves. Your senior loved one just wants to see you.
From January 1 to March 31 is open enrollment for the Medicare Advantage Program. If you didn't like the selection you made during Medicare Open Enrollment on October 15 to December 7, you are able to change your MAPD plan, which comes with Part D, during this time. Every year you get an annual notice of change letter from your healthcare carrier. If you don't read that, you might not realize what the changes are until they go in effect on January 1. If your drug prices have changed, or your network provider has changed, this allows you to correct that. Dan Redler, CEO, and Dan Leary, COO, of We Speak Medicare explain why the enrollment period exists and how it works.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living talks about 2019’s 12 Days of Goodness events. We're all the 12th Man, and CarePartners Living has a lot of fun with it. Residents light up; they're so excited to make these connections and be involved together. It's one of the happiest events we have.
If your senior loved one is dealing with Alzheimer's or Dementia, we still encourage a visit over the holidays. If Mom is overly sensitive to lights, turn off the blinking of the Christmas tree lights, because that can be overwhelming. Play music more quietly. Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living encourages families to contact a home care service and have someone come over to help with eating and toileting, to help with the things your loved one wouldn't want you to do anyway.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living talks about senior loved ones continuing to be honored over the holidays once they are in assisted living. People ask questions about whether to take Mom home over the holiday, can she handle the noise, should we hire a caregiver, what if mom feels isolated in the home because she can't keep up? We suggest that you not make assumptions and see what your senior loved one is capable of. For example, if Mom always made the dinner, but now she's aged and in assisted living and her mobility's not the same, but still wants to be part of that, can't you find something in that kitchen to do that gives her purpose and makes her still feel like she's part of the family? If we pat her hand and say no, just go in the living room and visit with family, we're not giving her the dignity of letting her still feeling like she's part of that process.
Dan Redler and Dan Leary from We Speak Medicare walk us through the changing rules for senior annual enrollment in Medicare, the time for all those eligible to make changes to their healthcare plans. The plan should be reviewed each year because new plans come out and rules change every year. We Speak Medicare helps seniors find the right plan, especially when it comes to coverage for medications.
For our senior loved ones, visits are about quality time. Take time for really listening, hearing stories, inviting the stories, giving them a sense of honor, dignity and purpose. And do that in a sincere way. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements also talks about what she specifically does for families when she sits down with them. As an information post for gathering unbiased information on alternatives of living and care outside of the home, she provides the ABCs about housing and care, helps define your values and discuss long-time plans, including how to maximize the buying power of an estate.
Culture, Connections and Celebrations: how to establish rapport with our senior loved ones as the holidays approach. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements advises to keep it simple, whatever “it” is. Our current culture is lights, flashy stuff, always being entertained. For The Greatest Generation, simpler things were valued: listening to the radio, singing songs, getting together, having lemonade on the front porch, eating home-cooked meals.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about Veteran's Day, originally Armistice Day, celebrating the official end of World War 1 on November 11, 1918. In 1971, the holiday was expanded to honor all surviving veterans, to thank them for sacrifices they have made to give us our freedom.
Dan Redler and Dan Leary from We Speak Medicare help people be proactive about their health and finances when it comes to Medicare coverage. People should review their health and their health plans yearly, not only because health changes as we age, but because Medicare plans and rules change every year. Changes in coverage could significantly impact your bottom line.
Plans and Medicare rules change yearly. You should have a consultation and needs analysis done each year to make sure your plan meets your specific needs, because your needs change every year too. Every plan treats medications differently. Dan Redler and Dan Leary from We Speak Medicare describe how they help to find the right services for the right premium.
Lynn Creasy from Foundation House at Northgate talks about fall prevention. For instance, all of our units have high toilets, plenty of grab bars in the right places, and shower seats. At home, having the restroom close to the bedroom helps, and good lighting helps prevent falls.
Kevan Atteberry discusses his fundraising work for the Pacific Northwest Walk to End Alzheimer's. His efforts honor his wife Teri, once an active soccer player and runner who was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s when she was 52 year’s old.
CarePartners Living has a variety of cottage communities catering to those with Alzheimer's and Dementia. Kelley Smith discusses how these cottages create an unconfined, non-medical atmosphere where senior loved ones facing these conditions can get the care they need while still being treated like adults with respect and dignity. Links for the communities can be found here.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living discusses Alzheimer's Care during September's Walk to End Alzheimer's, of which CarePartners Living is a major sponsor. The Walk increases awareness for opportunities offered by the Alzheimer's Association, including its support network. Talking about it improves awareness, leading to more research and support.
Lynn Creasy from Foundation House at Northgate talks about dispelling fears about family transitions.
Faith Marshal, author of “I Miss You, Mom: A Daughter’s Journey Into Dementia Land,” works to build communities and awareness. (more…)
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about when the time comes to make changes. Usually it happens at a catastrophic time. Daphne helps facilitate the change to a care community, helps through all the legal aspects, things that you don't even think about, walking together side by side through the process. How do you tell your loved one that they're not able to move back home?
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about what to do as a family to support a loved one through this journey. In this segment, Daphne talks about spousal relationships, supporting the loved one who has dementia or Alzheimer's as well as their spouse. At these times, your emotions will always rise above your logic, and it's crucial to have an expert to consult with.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about what to do as a family to support a loved one through this journey. The more lucid and competent your senior loved one is when having the hard conversations and making those hard decisions, the better. Staying independent is important. Call 855-734-1500 if you'd like to consult with Daphne.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about what to do as a family to support a loved one through this journey. Generally, following a formal diagnosis of dementia, there is a lot of denial, but looking back five to seven years prior to the diagnosis, one can recall many symptoms and signs.
Scott Houghton is regional director of operations at Fieldstone Communities, a major sponsor of the Alzheimer’s Walks in Washington.
Josh Pan is a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Walk. He is also director of business development for Althira Pharma, a local Seattle-based business. The company’s technology came out of Washington...
Annie Jacobsen is the host of the Snohomish County's Alzheimer's Walk. The walk is along Boxcar Park in Everett, Washington.
Carrie McBride is the director of marketing and communications for the Alzheimer's Association, Washington Chapter. It's important that families facing this disease know where to turn for help.
Lynn Creasy from Foundation House at Northgate talks about adaptive living, various apartment additions that can be made to improve safety. Shower vs. bath, higher toilets, grab bars, safety bars, shower seats. A few other things are adaptive clothing such as socks and velcro clothing.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living discusses costs of various senior living arrangements. An over-55 retirement community can cost $900 - $1500 per month. Independent assisted living with 24-hour caregivers, nurses, full-time activities, and meals can cost $3,000 to $6,000 per month. Memory care ranges from $4,500 to $7,500 per month.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living discusses various Medicaid qualifications. CarePartners Living has the largest floating Medicaid license in Washington state. People are confused over how to qualify for Medicaid. Average costs of assisted living is $5,000 or $6,000 per month. Income and assets are limited, so perhaps one or two years can be paid for out of pocket. Don't wait till they've exhausted their funds before applying for Medicaid. Qualifications include having less than $2,000 in the bank, requiring assistance with at least three activities of daily living, and assets cannot be hidden.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living discusses Medicaid qualifications. Let's say that you have $100,000 in the bank. One qualification for Medicaid is having less than $2,000 in the bank, so you would need to spend the rest of that money in ways the state allows, with expenses analyzed for the most recent five years.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how to plan ahead when a senior loved one only has a few years worth of assets. There will be compromises, depending on estate values. When you know when and what drives them, you can be prepared for compromises. That comes from working with someone who knows how to project costs outward while honoring today.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements discusses the cost of elder care if family members stay home to care for a senior loved one.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about finances for senior care. Appropriate, quality, loving care can be found. The elephant in the room: How much do things cost?
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements builds relationships to understand the heart of what's happening at your family. She also sees the emotional highs and lows behind the logical decisions, and it's totally normal.
Lynn Creasy from Foundation House at Northgate talks about knowing your costs when paying for long-term care and understanding what your budget can cover. Many people don't know what their budget is and what they're paying for currently before moving into a community.
Lianna Marie talks about finding meaning when you've been diagnosed with an illness like Parkinson's.
The Warm Beach Senior Community provides post acute and rehabilitative care following hospitalization. Scott Ernst says they fulfill the need for skilled nursing and rehab for therapies — on hips, knees, joints, legs — to get a person back to the quality of life to resume their regular lives. Scott Ernst describes various aspects of care, including physical, occupational and speech/language therapies, pain management, and wound care. The Warm Beach Senior Community is located in Stanwood, Washington.
Lynn Creasy at Foundation House at Northgate describes the types of retirement living. Some people can be well off in their own home if they're social and healthy, but others may want to look at other options, if they're lonely and their chores aren't getting done. When it feels too much to mow the lawn and cook, it may be time to consider downsizing and settle affairs, and find a community that respects that. In the 5-10 years before people are ready to move, Foundation House acts as an information resource.
Janet Smith, an elder law attorney with the Northwest Elder Law Group, spoke at Discovery 2019, the 34th Annual Alzheimer's Regional Conference. Elder law is an umbrella term for law practices that focus on seniors, persons with disabilities, persons planning for long-term care, and their families. Traditionally the practice areas are estate planning — preparing documents such as powers or attorney and wills — probate, planning for long-term care costs and protection of vulnerable adults, and that can include guardianship, and getting restraining orders dealing with, sometimes, fractured families, and mediation.
Lianna Marie talks about inspirational people with Parkinson's. We talk about having hope, and looking up to people who are going through the same things. Michael J. Fox, of course, but also Jimmy Choi from American Ninja Warrior, who was diagnosed when he was 27. Jim Morris, the inspiration for the sports movie The Rookie, developed a form of Parkinson's due to sports concussions.
Lianna Marie talks about gratitude. Why is it important and how is it possible? Studies suggest a sense of gratitude is connected to health. Grateful people sleep better and it reduces stress.
Lianna Marie talks about depression as it pertains to Parkinson's. Research today shows that it is a symptom rather a response to the illness. Up to 50% of people with Parkinson's are suffering from clinical depression, from the chemical imbalances triggered by the disease.
Lisa Mayfield, founder and geriatric care manager of Aging Wisdom, talks about facing family dynamics and conflicts. Even in families where all have tight relationships, an aging parent can bring out conflicts. Challenging and subtle symptoms of dementia mean that our loved ones lose insight in the ways that the disease is affecting them.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living recommends many things to families, including support groups and resource room.
Memory Care is a living environment for those with symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer's. Kelley Smith describes CarePartners Living cottages. Activities need to be set up differently for those needing memory care. The smaller the environment, the better, to ensure a better quality of life and feeling needed.
Assisted living means that you have a care plan, physicians orders, and a care team set up to help you with activities of daily living throughout your stay in a community. Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living describes this aspect of senior living.
Housing is a daunting aspect for senior living. Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living talks about the differences between retirement living and independent assisted living.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about making that first call, when people are afraid of interfering. The courage to open the door of conversation resolves unfounded fears. It's about a loved one's life, and a loved one's life is not done if they have to leave their home, if they choose to ask for more support. Life is just taking a new perspective, a new chapter, just as when they got married, had children, when the children left the nest, and when they retired.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements discusses the lifestyle of senior loved ones when senior housing is being considered. The reality is that if their loved ones move into retirement living, some hobbies and interests are hard to pursue without a garage or yard. We consider how to maintain those interests in a fulfilling way, or discover if they might try some new hobbies they've been curious about. The goal is to keep their world as big as possible, while still being safe.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how she got started in the career of senior placement 20 years ago. Chuck Olmstead fills in for Suzanne Newman.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about planning for senior care and the need for the caregivers to think about themselves and their own minds. Caregivers statistically can harm own health if they don't maintain a good life balance, particularly if the caregiver is the spouse of the senior loved one.
Lynn Creasy at Foundation House at Northgate tells us how people make the first step towards retirement living. Every community has a different feeling and amenities, and it has to be right for each person. A lot of times, a family member tries to help, but there are also many senior consultants that can provide advice.
As part of the Parkinson's Path, Lianna Marie asks “How do we find happiness?” A large part of happiness is under our control. We have to choose to be happy. Not to say that life will be joyful every day with Parkinson's, but let's define what happiness would look like – is it having a productive life, staying connected with my loved ones, stay in my job longer?
As part of the Parkinson's Path, Lianna Marie says Hope and faith are different: The majority of people have a faith in something higher than themselves. It played a huge role for my mother's battle with Parkinson's. The disease can be so overwhelming, but a lot of people point to faith as a means of rescue.
As part of the Parkinson's Path, Lianna Marie says that hope is a key part of everything, fighting illnesses or even difficulties in life. We developed an initial "H.O.P.E. test" to assess attitudes and feelings about Hopefulness, Optimism, Practicing acceptance, and Enlisting the help of others.
Shawn D'Amelio from With A Little Help talks about making sure your senior loved one’s home supports them so that they are better able to age in place.
Shawn D'Amelio from With A Little Help talks about what qualities make a senior loved one a great candidate for aging in place. For instance, can they function at home by themselves, drive, go grocery shopping, cook their own meals?
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living talks about the end of the caregiving journey, after your loved one has passed, to find a new purpose.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements raises the question: How do you assess mom and dad for the next step? There's a step of care, home health, brought in if mom or dad have had a stroke or surgery, a temporary service. This can be a confusing topic. In-home care and home health are two different things. In-home care does not require a prescription or an order from a doctor, while home health does. Home health does not do custodial care. Home heath comes after a hospital stay and falls under a medical umbrella and medicare pays for it.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements explains how to introduce care into the home. How do you bridge that step? It could be as simple as getting a housekeeper, or hiring someone to do the yard work. There are built-in cultural thought-processes for each generation.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements explains that as our bodies age naturally, we tend to focus more on survival-type thinking: “Who's coming over today?” “Did I take my medicines?” “When can I get my gutters cleaned?” and other types of chores. Our brain becomes more occupied with those things rather than regular living. Our goal as we age is to continue living to our fullest, and having things to look forward to. The notion of the “bucket list” is to keep in mind that there are still things you want to do in life. Do you really want to focus your thoughts on cleaning out your refrigerator, or how about thinking instead about taking that watercolor class you always wanted, or challenging yourself to conquering some fear you've had.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements discusses how to talk about best supporting their loved ones, whether it's additional care in the home or a move. How do you talk about these sensitive subjects. Don't wait to ask questions – don't wait to gather information. People are afraid: you do your loved ones a disservice if you don't learn more.
Lynn Creasy provides an overview of Foundation House at Northgate, a not-for-profit independent living and assisted living community with 104 units established 22 years ago.
Shawn D'Amelio talks about CarePartners Living partnerships such as With A Little Help. She is the VP of Washington State Homecare Association, which is setting a benchmark for the quality of care that your loved ones receive. They also provide education that our legislators need. With a Little Help is a good resource, so if they don't move you, they have relationships with those who would. She also cochairs the Blooming With The Bloomers conference.
Shawn D'Amelio talks about CarePartners Living partnerships such as With A Little Help. It's helpful to have a partner during the transition from in-home care to a community, after living in their home for 50 years. It takes time to process that, but typically it becomes a crisis. There's confusion between home health and home care. Home health is occupational and physical therapy, visiting nurse covered by Medicare. Home care includes meal care, transportation, help with dressing.
Deborah Myers from We Speak Medicare helps seniors with medicare navigation and selecting healthcare supplemental programs. She’s organized the Spring into Health Fair taking place on April 14, 2019 in Puyallup at the Puyallup Seventh-day Adventist Church. The event provides health screenings from multiple entities. It’s free to enter and most services there are also free. Some services may have a minor charge, such as vaccinations. Talks about healthy living and disease prevention will go all day. Deborah can be reached at Deborah@wespeakMedicare.org.
Lianna Marie says that hope is crucial for those diagnosed with Parkinson's. Having hope can be more important than medication or medical procedures. Simply having hope makes your brain release endorphins that fight pain, an asset for Parkinson's, so we can physically change by changing our mindset. And there has also been an explosion of treatments in the last decade.
Lianna Marie describes her family experiences with Parkinson's following the diagnosis of the disease. Her mother's diagnosis was confirmed at 49 years old, when Lianna Marie was in her teens. Her mother had an arresting tremor, and the doctors assessed it as "the better kind" of Parkinson's, and she was able to work another 10-15 years. Diagnosis for everyone is different.
Lianna Marie describes her personal experiences with Parkinson's, her mother having lived with the disease for 30 years.
Discovery 2019, the 34th Annual Alzheimer's Regional Conference, was sponsored by Aegis Living. Kathy Stewart, VP of Nursing for Aegis Living, talks about warning signs when it's time to get help for dementia or Alzheimer's.
Adam Clark, VP of Growth Strategies for Aegis Living, discusses the programs and foundations of Aegis living. They operate 13 senior living communities in the Seattle area.
Annie Jacobsen talks about family caregivers. Once you have a family member in medical care, the family member’s role is to help the medical team understand the person they’re caring...
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living provides advice on how to go through the process with aging loved ones. The role reversal in caring for a loved one needs to preserve your loved ones' dignity. You need to preserve your role as the son or daughter.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how to be observant about life changes with our senior loved ones. There may be a time when you see clues in body language or other areas that your loved ones need help, but they don't know how to ask. Let's say you visit every other month and you see the mail is now piled up, or there's now stale food in the fridge, or they're holding walls and furniture while walking around the house. Those types of clues can indicate that their life patterns have changed.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about helping our senior loved ones with Aging in Place. How do we support our Mom and Dad in their home? One thing is to contact the appropriate department at your county for free community services and resources. It isn't tied to Medicaid, it's your tax dollars at work. To keep seniors active and stimulated, some library services can be delivered, and lots of events happen at senior centers, even line dancing, to help keep them active rather than isolated.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about the biggest thing she's been running into, which is people becoming paralyzed by their own fears, lack of knowledge or their perceptions of their responsibilities or expectations. As fearful as it is to deal with dignity and grace with issues of aging with our parents, people need to take action. When we get to this point where we think we should call somebody, but are in the thick of day-to-day life, we let the days slip by, then lay awake at night with worries about our loved ones.
Kelley Smith, VP of sales and marketing at CarePartners Senior Living, talks at Discovery 2019, the 34th Annual Alzheimer's Regional Conference. CarePartners operates seven dementia-dedicated senior care facilities in Washington. Sometimes intervention happens too soon — it has to be the right marriage of timing and where seniors are in their journey. The facilities, the Cottages, are four little cottages within a little village. There are certain core things people know, even if they can't describe it: they know when they are being micromanaged and treated like children, so we make them feel needed. The smaller the environment, the better they do, giving them a sense of community and freedom.
Jonathan Prescott, founder of Wise Caregiving, spoke at Discovery 2019, the 34th Annual Alzheimer's Regional Conference. There are more than 300,000 unpaid family caregivers in Washington. Without peer support or knowledge, they carry the weight of caregiving on their shoulders. He has faith in their ability to do it, they just need help to connect with their inner wisdom. Contemplative traditions: using awareness as a way of interacting in the world.
Bob Le Roy, executive director of the Alzheimer's Association, Washington State Chapter, talks about Discovery 2019, the 34th Annual Alzheimer's Regional Conference. The conference's theme in 2019 is resilience. Anyone who's been a caregiver knows you have to be resilient. The association's philosophy is about honoring and celebrating lives, providing tools and resources so people can continue to be part of the community, remain at home longer, and connect caregivers to many others going on the same journey.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how to have those difficult family conversations. Every single day she has these types of conversations with families. She suggests keeping an attitude of love in your heart and to try hard when discussing changes to be gentle and use affirmations, letting your loved ones be part of the decision-making. What often happens is we get to a point of frustration and anger, which gets in the way of the conversation. She encourages having a trusted third-party expert come with you. Suddenly the conversations come with a bit more credibility.
Sue Stults is the founder of the Care Conference at Shoreline Community Church. The 2019 conference takes place March 7 to provide education and support for caregivers. She invites not only older people who are already caregiving but people who foresee a time when they could become caregivers.
Sue Stults is the author of “Reaching Beyond the Rail: The Blood, Sweat and Tears of Caring for Mom and Dad” and founder of Compelled by Compassion. It is a challenge to care for an ailing or aging parent, and there are similar overwhelming things that we all walk through. With so many things to learn, she brings encouragement and tools to help caregivers. She's seen families pull together and others separate from the family dynamics.
Stephen DePiro is vice president and clinical director of The Smile Store, which helps seniors with dental care. They provide dentures, partials, implant alternatives, and manufacture their own products and have clinics to support them. They provide a very needed service in Puget Sound. Many times, financing is more competitive than anywhere else. In many cases, for about a cup of coffee you can afford good oral care to minimize out of pocket expenses. Insurance will usually cover 50-80% of the therapy.
Rather than being an ostrich, or compromising your family’s quality of life, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements suggests a new perspective: consider that if your parents were to move somewhere else, they would have a next chapter in their lives, and our goal is for it to be highest quality. Gather information, have the courage, and start the conversations. There's so much resistance.
Stephen DePiro is vice president and clinical director of The Smile Store, which helps seniors with dental care. They provide dentures, partials, implant alternatives, and manufacture their own products and have clinics to support them. Dentures and implants have come a long way and are more affordable. Lots of patients worry about prices, but their prices are posted online. They also have specials for veterans. Offer finances, take all insurance plans, it's worth coming in for a consult.
How can adult children be better in communicating with their parent, even when they are resistant? Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements suggests learning about active listening, and trying not be reactive. Read body language, intonation, make sure they feel heard. Don't argue back, but be empowering. And if you're frustrated or exhausted, don't have a conversation at that time.
We want to do right by our loved ones, but this is also the time when families are coming together for holidays. Many of us may not have been around our elders for a while. What sorts of things are warning signs: what are serious things to think about and what are things that might not be an issue? Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements points out one thing that's subtle is looking at the strength of their body. When they get up from a chair, do they need to use their arms? When they sit down, do they plop down or still have their core strength?
Annie Jacobsen is a Dementia care coach with CarePartners Living who helps families learn to communicate more effectively with those afflicted with dementia. She helps people find what capacities remain with a senior afflicted by dementia, to find connections where they can still be made. We rely on sound so much, but brain changes often affect language first, and sometimes their vision range lessens. Jacobsen describes how to optimize the five senses — sound, sight, touch, smell and taste — to improve communication.
It's that time of the year when we talk about connecting with seniors. Our life in America is so fast and families are dispersed across our wonderful nation. We often don't live in the communities that we grew up in, so our village of the family needs to step up for our seniors. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements thinks the general populace would be surprised to learn how many people have no one who visits them, no one they feel who pays attention to them.
How do you help a senior family member adjust, whether it's a move to assisted living or adjust to home care? Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements says the approach and knowledge is key. Imagine: someone new comes into their home – they may be a shower aide – so we're talking about some modesty issues and huge trust issues, there could be some communication issues, and the feeling of vulnerability our loved one has. Empower your family members, let them know it's still their home, and they're still in the driver's seat.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements tells caregivers: know that you're doing your best. When you've gotten feedback from family or friends, take it as objectively as you can and not as a jab at you, because you're there and listening to push-back from seniors who want to stay independent along with family members' observations. Stand up tall for all you do. But we do get caught into our routine and sometimes get blinded to other things. At this time of year, accept the gift of another perspective.
Shawn D’Amelio is the director of business development for With A Little Help, a locally-owned home care company. They provide home care services, solve transportation issues, and much more. They are at 2021 Minor Ave E suite A, Seattle, WA 98102. Call (206) 352-7399 or visit withalittlehelp.com.
Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Frank Brazik, a retired PFC in the U.S. Army. He joined when he was 18, training at Fort Knox. He traveled to Korea in a troop ship in 1951.
Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Bob Winkler, who was born on August 5, 1929. In October 1946, he joined the Army Air Corps., now the Air Force. He served in England and Germany, retiring from the Air Force in 1953. He spent 46 years in Germany, where he sold life insurance to the military and met his wife. His four daughters were born in Germany.
Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Eleanor "Jimmie" Shapiro, who was born in Boston and went to Sergeant College at Boston University, becoming a physical therapist. She married Sumner, who went to the Naval Academy.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about families and finding peace. One of the things we forget about fun — how do we have fun with mom and dad? Taking off the caregiver hat — and the responsibilities of having everything in place, and the logistics of getting together — and just enjoying your time with them. Take a deep breath and breathe.
Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident David Ross, a retired lieutenant commander in the navy. He joined in the spring of 1943.
This is a Live from Seattle Special featuring the 12 Days of Goodness with Joe Tafoya, Suzanne Newman, Chuck Olmstead, and Daphne Davis with Pinnacle Senior Placements. We are having a conversation about the need around the holidays to visit seniors.
This is a Live from Seattle Special featuring the 12 Days of Goodness with Joe Tafoya, Suzanne Newman, Chuck Olmstead and Daphne Davis with Pinnacle Senior Placements. It gives a spotlight on honoring our seniors and making sure they are not forgotten.
Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Burton Bender, a first sergeant in the U.S. Army when he retired. He was born in 1933 and remembers buying war stamps. He graduated high school in 1952, then went to the University of Wisconsin and was state champ in swimming, before being drafted into the army.
Katie Gaswint, Owner of Katie Marie's Adult Day Care Home in Marysville, WA, talks about adult day care.
Lianna Marie is the author of Everything You Need To Know About Parkinson's Disease and Everything You Need to Know About Caregiving for Parkinson's Disease. Her mother was diagnosed 30 years ago, back when books on the topic were written for doctors, rather than patients and caregivers. There are different types of Parkinson's, every case is different, and there are other neuro-degenerative diseases similar to Parkinson's.
Nichole Smith from CarePartners Living: We in the senior living industry think of ourselves as co-petitors, not competitors, and we meet on purpose to know all of the services out...
Susan Dale with CarePartners Living: Families that come to us are very overwhelmed, don’t know where to start or what’s the process. They come in for the holidays and maybe...
Chef/Owner Deborah Peterson at Vineyard Catering in Woodinville, Washington talks about holiday meal preparation.
It's Thanksgiving, and families are coming together. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements meets with families all the time and there's never a bad time. Families often call to tell her that they've seen a change in their senior loved one, or about a crisis, but it doesn't have to be about that. You can call at any time, and she generally gets together to meet your loved ones in a home, asking questions about where their loved ones are in their journey. Her job is to help people retain their independence — be part of the process, have a voice, and not be dictated to — and still have quality life with the safety and the peace of mind for the family and the loved ones.
Even without the dynamics of our family members aging in place, or having some cognition challenges, even without that the holidays can be stressful. Expectations are all different. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements says it's important when approaching the holidays that everyone's heart is in the right place, with good intentions. Let go of hidden agendas.
What happens after your loved one has been placed into a senior living environment? Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements does consistent follow-ups up to 90 days after you loved one has chosen a new environment. Sometimes it's just a conversation, but often it's a face-to-face visit to make sure everything is going well. An advisor should be preparing you for what's coming down the road.
Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Ron Brockman, who retired as a captain from the U.S. Navy and was also a U.S. Marine. He was born in Kodiak, Alaska in December 1940. He went to the University of Alaska for a semester, then joined the U.S. Marine Corps. in 1959. The day he graduated from boot camp, he received a nomination letter for the Naval Academy. On his first leave as a marine, he bought a book on how to prepare for the exams and passed it, and joined the class of 1964 Naval Academy. He is also a doctor of osteopathic medicine.
Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Leonard LeDuc, a U.S. Army veteran. He grew up in a farm town in Kansas. He worked on the assembly of missile silos. His older brother was doing well in the service, so he joined the Army in 1962.
Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident George Osborn, who was born in Seattle in 1939 and went to West Seattle High School. He recalls President Roosevelt having died during his 6th birthday party. He was drafted by the United States Army in March 1962, did basic training at Fort Ord in California, and served in Korea.
Suzanne Newman interviews Mike Flood, Seattle Seahawks Vice President of Community Outreach, about Salute to Service Month. The Seahawks will be raising money for The Mission Continues through sales of military-themed Seahawks merchandise.
Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident David Martin, a retired U.S. Navy chief petty officer E7. He was born and raised in northeast Iowa, graduating in 1955, then joined the Navy and was trained in California, then started his service in Alaska. He eventually retired to Olympia, Oregon.
Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Bill North, a retired Sergeant Major with the U.S. Army. He was born on a farm in Oklahoma in 1932. He joined the National Guard in Fort Sill when he was 16, becoming a cannoneer. The battalion was mobilized for the Korean War, trained by the U.S. Army, shipped out to Japan and finally to Korea.
In Alzheimer's and in all stages of Dementia, conversation is based on the moment. We've all been taught to be real and truthful, not to lie. But Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements suggeststhat white lies are okay at this stage, because they keep someone calm. It's important because their reality is their reality. It's more of staying in the moment with them – the little details don't matter when their reality is what they believe.
Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Gil Conforti, a retired lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Army. He was born in 1935 in Massachusetts. His father passed away when he was in high school, so he went to work to help support the family. After his 17th birthday, he joined the National Guard. He enjoyed his work, and in 1955 he enlisted in the regular army. He spent 16 months in Korea near the demarkation line, earning promotions to staff seargant.
Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Roberta "Bobbie" Quarm, a wife of a retired United States Army serviceman who served for 24 years and was injured in Vietnam. She was born in Cincinnati and lived in Philadelphia during high school, graduating in 1955. She joined the USO and Red Cross. She met her husband of 51 years at Fort Dix in New Jersey, where they married. They were stationed three times at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington.
Taking away the mystery, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements explains what families can expect with an advisor. She starts as an information post for our families, as an educator. Pinnacle Senior Placements doesn't charge families for our services as advisors. She's paid like a realtor. She works with every community of care in the state of Washington. She's totally transparent, regardless of whether she has a contract with them or not, she works with them. Her motivation is to take away some of the stress of making very big decisions for our loved ones.
When you are working with a professional, you need to be heard and valued, not put into a box. It's also a relationship with the entire family. There are services to help you and walk alongside you. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements recommends having an advisor you feel from your gut has your best interests in mind.
During Fall Prevention month, be a watchdog for your senior loved one. Tracy Marcom at Cascade In-Home Care asks: What is a family's role to check in with their loved ones? Some are hands-off, and may not realize how their love ones are declining. If Mom or Dad don't live nearby, they can put on a good front because they don't want to burden their children. Have a service that can come in, even in the beginning, as an in-home care agency before you really need it, is a peace of mind both to your loved one and your family.
During Fall Prevention month, Regional Business Development Manager Tracy Marcom at Cascade In-Home Care suggests acting as a watchdog for your senior loved one. Some of the things we notice in the house are throw rugs on top of carpet, which is a huge tripping risk. Also, a rug in the bathroom should have a rubber bottom so it doesn't lift up and cause a hazard. In-Home Care agencies are able to do non-medical in-home care, but we have a home health license, and we can do fall-and-risk assessments, wheelchair certification and have a nurse on duty. We can provide that fourth or fifth day of would care, but we wouldn't do occupational therapy or physical therapy.
Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Kent Troy, U.S. Army West Point graduate, former protocol officer at JBLM (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) in Washington. He was born in Roswell, New Mexico.
Sandy Myerson has written a book called Elder Care Assistance: A Practical Guide Covering Health, Financial and Legal Considerations, which is a practical guide for everyone. This discussion centers around making sure to find out what your loved ones want, so that you can handle their wishes in case they are in a condition where they can't tell you themselves.
Sandy Myerson has written a book called Elder Care Assistance: A Practical Guide Covering Health, Financial and Legal Considerations, which is a practical guide for everyone. Something could happen to us or our spouses at any moment, and people need to be able to pick up where we left off, know where different assets are, and understand the process.
Every 20 minutes a senior adult dies as a result of declining health triggered from a fall. Fall prevention is critical for seniors, especially if they are living alone. Careage's Gidgette Chesley discusses how, at Patriot's Landing, seniors have an active calendar, helping those even with mobility issues. A resident who experiences a fall is taken care of first, but then they investigate the cause, whether it's a throw rug or a rug/carpet transition.
Fall is time when weather kicks up and we should get a head start on preventing falls. Colette Roberge at CarePartners Senior Living point our there are many hazards around the home or that seniors are doing that can cause falls. What medications are they taking? Are some combinations making them dizzy? Fall is good time for a follow-up with the doctor to assess all their medications. Colder weather brings arthritis, which can also bring falls, and there are also wet decks, icy walks.
Your senior loved one staying at home is the ultimate goal for as long as possible, but it can be hard if it involves maintaining a mortgage or a big yard. Sometimes families will wait because they don't want to give up the family home or their loved one has dug in, and they wait too long. Warning signs depend on their situation, but if they're living at home, are they able to manage their medications, are they eating appropriately? They're isolated and don't think about eating. Colette Roberge at CarePartners Senior Living sees residents move in, and new life comes back into them, and they flourish.
Stan Esecson shows seniors Voxx Socks at the Snow Valley Senior Center in Carnation, WA.
Program Coordinator Kira Avery at the Snow Valley Senior Center in Carnation, WA talks about fall prevention.
Part 2 of a conversation with Gidgette Chesley, the executive director of Patriot's Landing in DuPont, WA. When people are investigating memory care, most are not looking for someone in the early stages of Alzheimer's. It's priceless to have conversations while they are able to express their wishes. It's a tough conversation to have.
Part 1 of a conversation with Gidgette Chesley, the executive director of Patriot's Landing in DuPon, WA. When people are investigating memory care, most are not looking for the services when their loved one is in the early stages. It's priceless to have conversations while they are able to express their wishes. They're tough conversations to have.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements works with lots of patients with Alzheimer's, all stages of Dementia and their families. One stumbling block for families is communicating with someone who has cognitive challenges. And they are different at different stages of the disease, and different from moment to moment. It's a challenge to keep yourself in their world. There are some key phrases to use and avoid using.
Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Elizabeth Osborn, a retired first class E6 yeoman in the U.S. Navy. She joined in 1958 and loved every minute of it.
How can an environment best support a senior loved one? Melanie Mosshart at Hospitality Home Care talks about how her organization helps with non-medical care in the home, the activities of daily living. Having a safe environment is taken for granted, but there are common-sense items that come to light when you’re looking at adapting a home for a senior, with seven key items to look at.
Nichole Smith at CarePartners Living says that a lot of science was put into the design of their cottages. Their clients with dementia have a cycle of self-isolation, depression, that exasperates the dementia. The cottages are based on a home environment. Each site has three cottages on it, 20 residents each, which encourages interaction. Residents smell the coffee in the morning, hear their neighbors getting up, going to breakfast just like they did when they had kids, and this encourages their curiosity.
Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Richard Dobson, a retired major in the U.S. Army special forces. Born in Renton, Washington, he enlisted in 1957.
Allison Fine, Executive Director and Founder of the Center for Chronic Illness, explains why you need a social worker.
If you're in a situation where no one needs to make an urgent move, or even in-home care, but if you're wondering if you're on the right track and you give me a call, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements suggesting calling her or one of her advisors. They come out to your home and have a conversation, get to to know you. The process is unique for everyone.
Gathering information – you never know when you'll need it. Some families are really good about thinking about it: downsizing to a smaller home, no steps, putting in grab bars, a step-in shower. But there are other things to pay attention to, such as a throw rug. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements goes through advance planning steps.
Allison Fine, Executive Director and Founder of the Center for Chronic Illness, talks about support groups.
Careage provides home health services, which is medical or skilled intervention in the home. Chris Strand at Careage describes the process of requesting and arranging for home health services.
What happens after a patient is discharged from a rehab center or a hospital? Chris Strand at Careage takes us through caring options. Home care is meal preparation, grooming, and light housekeeping, and is paid for as a fee-for-service, Medicaid, veterans benefits or private pay, which. Outpatient service is similar, but more limited as you have to drive to the service, and is a Medicare Part B benefit for therapy only. Home health is nursing intervention and rehabilitative health, and is covered by Medicare Part A and private insurance, and there are no annual caps.
Mama Blue, Pattie Hammond, is an original season-ticket holder for the Seattle Seahawks. She’s 87 and an inspirational figure. She was a hair stylist for 65 years, standing and using her hands all the time. Arthritis took a tool. But after she started to wear Voxx Socks., she says she’s getting stronger by the minute.
Marlene Diaz talks about Hospitality Home Care opening a new facility, the Hospitality Adult Family Home in Federal Way, WA, by the Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club. It’s a six-bed home and is a little more personal than living in a community. They have four private bedrooms and one that is shared. Candidates would be over 55 and have a variety of health issues such as Alheimer’s, Dementia, or Parkinsons, who would need a higher degree of one-on-one care.
Nichole Smith at CarePartners Senior Living says that surprisingly, a majority of financial abuse comes from family members. We often have so many red flags that families are squirreling away money. When a person loses their safety awareness, of course they trust their family more than anybody else, and family members may be making decisions which they think are in the best interest of their loved one, but later down the line it may make it so they can’t get on a state Medicaid program because they’ve gifted money within the last five years.
Britt Burkhart, president of Safeguard Financial Assets, educates how to effectively manage assets and reduce taxes. He helps with Aid and Attendance Benefits, a benefit available through the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, which most veterans don't know about.
Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Captain Marvin Reiner, a retired radio tech 2nd class, U.S. Navy. A native of Aberdeen, Washington, he was born in 1923 and grew up during the Depression.
Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living talks about funding options for senior care. If a retirement/assisted living/memory care community really is the best solution, then we are going to talk about financing. What are you supposed to do if your dad’s gone, and all your mom has is her social security and her house? We have the largest floating Medicaid license in the state. Mom can take what little assets she has, and when she runs out of money, Mom qualifies for the state benefits and is guaranteed to be able to stay with us.
Funding long-term care is a huge topic that stymies people. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements says one option that’s overlooked is Aid and Attendance, a benefit paid by Veterans Affairs to veterans and spouses. Qualifications include certain finances and having two ADLs that you need help with. It could provide $1,100 to $1,700 per month. It can take four to six months to get your first check. Sometimes it can help keep parents in their homes. Other options include Medicaid and Long-term Care Insurance. It’s changed a lot recently; for people considering it, you might consider including an inflationary clause rider.
Generally, until you cross into this world of needing to find options for care and housing for elders, it’s not something you think about, or it’s on the back burner. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements has been doing this job for 18 years, and she sees that finances can always be worked out. She wants to give everyone a sense of hope about it. Don’t be afraid to talk about finances. Be straightforward with your advisor so you get good, objective information. It might be on a private pay basis, in which the estate of your loved ones can pay for their care and housing, ideally until the end of life, but rarely does that happen these days. Cost of care is very high, everyone gets sticker shock. Don’t let it stop you. Forty-five percent of seniors that are in some level of care are on Medicaid. Have a plan that allows you to have at least some months of private pay before you use insurance so you have more options.
Dan White at Evergreen Washelli talks about crossroads and transitions. We will all face the crossroads when we pass. What can families do if they haven't pre-planned? Dan takes us through the steps of what happens when a loved one passes and what arrangements need to be made in those circumstances.
Dan White at Evergreen Washelli talks about crossroads and transitions. Writing down your wishes is an important step. We use a pre-planning guide with a wealth of information for the survivors left behind. We want our loved ones to get through their stages of grief and don't leave problems behind for those we love.
What can we do when there are warning signs everywhere, but our parents are being stubborn? Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements describes the myriad of scenarios how this happens. Sometimes it takes a catastrophic event, that no matter what we do we can't get past the stubbornness. Stubbornness comes from a place of fears. But more often, it can go well when information is given to someone from an objective party, someone who's professional and good at mirroring someone they are listening to, and good at being compassionate without being syrupy, to honor that person and have their voice be heard.
Statistics show that families stay in the land of denial until it's too late. The financial factor is a huge part, but families are in an uproar at this time. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements says that we can't emphasize enough that we have the kind of conversations with mom and our siblings of what could happen down the road. It's a conversation that gets overlooked a lot.
Marlene Diaz at Hospitality Home Care talks about the warning signs of Activities of Daily Living, when its time to bring mom or dad some help in the home. One is forgetfulness: forgetting to take medications or taking them too often. In those situations, they are forgetting to prepare meals, or not knowing how to turn on the stove. That’s when the caregiver comes in and starts meal-prepping for them, labeling where things are. Each situation is unique.
Dell Workman, administrator at Careage–Mission Healthcare, talks about their state of the art services.
Dell Workman, administrator at Careage–Mission Healthcare, talks about their Renton, WA location.
Terry Wilson and Sheena Paylor, area VP for Assured HomeHealth, talk about specialized services in home health. They work on specialties such as continence, which includes pelvic floor muscle training and bladder retraining, which has twice daily visits and gets results in four to six weeks. Also we help with lifestyle interventions, such as when to stop drinking before bedtime and what to drink. Anything that home health does requires an order from their physician.
Terry Wilson and Sheena Paylor, area VP for Assured HomeHealth, talk about signs that might indicate a need of home health for a loved one. Assured HomeHealth is the largest home health agency by county in the state of Washington. Home health is a huge part of senior care, a benefit that can be requested at any time, without first having a hospital stay. It is paid for by Medicare and can include preventative care, including fall prevention. If mom gets up and walks by holding onto walls and chairs, she might be afraid of falling. Is house-keeping failing? Does she sleep in a recliner, afraid to walk to bed? Keeping seniors more physically active and mobile, but safe, is key. Our therapist or nurse prepares an in-depth assessment and puts together a care plan, working with their physician, and then visits her two or three times a week. As part of a tailored program, additional help might be given with bathing or dispensing medications.
At the crossroads, what happens when there is a life change for a senior living one? What happens when there’s a crisis — for example, when your mom has a heart attack, or broken a hip, or had a bad case of pneumonia? Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements explains that 80% of the people she works with are in this situation. It’s rare that she gets to go over options ahead of time. So don’t feel ill prepared, or like the Lone Ranger.
How do families navigate crossroads? There are always curve balls and we have to face a change. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements is a master of helping families navigate change. An often-asked question is, “When do we make a change?”
Dan White at Evergreen Washelli talks about how we can best honor our loved ones who have passed on Memorial Day. We put on a huge event, our 92nd one this year. We follow military protocol and offer assistance for parking and getting to chairs. Michael Reagan was our guest speaker, a famous portrait artist. For free he does portraits for fallen veterans and has become quite an inspirational speaker.
Dan White at Evergreen Washelli talks about what Memorial Day weekend means for families. People start coming to visit memorials the week before the holiday weekend, adding flowers, cleaning headstones and bringing blankets to spend time there and honor loved ones who have passed. Others come to find their great-great-great grandparents. It's all about remembering. For us it's about having one place to come and see memorials for all of your relatives, all the generations that are placed here.
Jill Martinez, director of community relations for CarePartners Living, explains that Dementia can hit 90% of the population in some form. To care for a loved one on your own is an overwhelming experience. We really try to help them through that process of determining when it’s time to consider memory care or moving their loved one into a retirement community, because there really are some key factors to pay attention to. The cottages are set up for memory care specifically and are built a specific way.
Suzanne Newman shares a personal tribute following the recent loss of former Seattle Seahawks coach Chuck Knox after his long struggle with dementia.
Marlene Diaz at Hospitality Home Care talks about family caregivers. The caregiver gets overlooked often. Hospitality Home Care periodically asks how the caregiver is doing and what needs to be addressed. We introduce the caregiver and go over things with them. As an agency, its important to tell the caregivers how much they are appreciated, we provide monthly bonuses for them and birthday cards with gifts. Having a feeling of appreciation makes it more than a job, it’s a recognition that they’re making a difference. If you have a happy caregiver, you’ll have a happy client.
There’s a perception that senior living is a “nursing home,” but that’s not the case. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements provides an overview of the different types. There’ independent living, such as over 55 communities, which is common. There’s assisted living that provides some support for activities of daily living, where maybe you have mobility issues and just need help dressing and bathing, but can still drive. There’s memory care where you need a formal diagnosis of some kind of dementia, from early onset to end stages. There are adult family homes, a smaller environment, also for people who need a lot of care.
How do you have that initial conversation with a loved one when its time to make a change, and the loved one isn't necessarily open to the conversation? It's an awkward time, as it's a time of change, a time of role reversals. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements says that it takes a lot of courage to begin the conversation this way: “Let’s look at the future.”
Executive Director Beth Deems of Brookdale at Admiral Heights discusses assisted living options.
Dan White at Evergreen Washelli talks about an aspect of Aging in Place, considerations a family should know about with their final wishes. Power of attorney is important. Also is defining an appointment of agent, something specific for the state of Washington, which appoints one family member who is the official legal agent, and they have the final say, to simplify legal actions when there are many family members.
Shawn D’Amelio is the director of business development for With A Little Help, a locally-owned home care company. With A Little Help has 150 caregivers who provide in-home care, and their average age is 48, so they have some life experience. They not only know how to cook a meal but appreciate the value of sitting down and eating that meal with the senior. They help with fun outings, doctor's appointments, shopping, help cleaning the house, changing the bed, and they build a friendship with the senior. They help with the challenges and light housekeeping so the senior loved one has energy for the fun things.
Melanie Mosshart at Hospitality Home Care talks about Home Care Services. A home care organization is a huge support for caregivers. If you're a caregiver, then whether you need a home care organization or not, you need to find one, interview one, and have one ready to go at a moment’s notice. When there’s an unexpected emergency or crisis, people just don’t know what to do or which way to turn, they don’t always have the time or knowledge necessary to take care of somebody.
Veterans Interview with Colonel Ian Larson with the U.S. Army, at Patriot’s Landing in DuPont, Washington. He was born in the Philippines in January 1940.
Sally Sundar from the YMCA of Greater Seattle provides an overview of their senior programs. She is the Program Executive, Health Integration & Transformation.
Executive Director Beth Deems of Brookdale at Admiral Heights discusses steps to take that help your senior loved one stay at home longer, and mobility issues to look for, as part of this month's aging in place conversations.
Pam Stone describes the services provided by Family Resource Home Care. She is their Regional Manager, Business Development.
Jerrica Pierson Seeger at Rehberg Law talks about legal planning, part of this month's focus on aging in place.
In this special four-part episode, Chuck Olmstead speaks with Suzanne Newman about the Top Ten Advocacy Principles as well as what Answers for Elders stands for.
In this special four-part episode, Chuck Olmstead speaks with Suzanne Newman about the Top Ten Advocacy Principles as well as what Answers for Elders stands for.
In this special four-part episode, Chuck Olmstead speaks with Suzanne Newman about the Top Ten Advocacy Principles as well as what Answers for Elders stands for.
In this special four-part episode, Chuck Olmstead speaks with Suzanne Newman about the Top Ten Advocacy Principles as well as what Answers for Elders stands for.
Veterans Interview with Stan Solmonson at Patriot’s Landing in DuPont, Washington. Stan joined the U.S. Navy in Sept. 1943 and served two years, then later was a tech sergeant in the U.S. Air Force.
Co-owner Brian Scalabrine talks about Adriana Senior Living , an independent living senior community in Des Moines, WA. He is a former Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls basketball player.
Rolland Wright is the author of The Widows Project: Serving The Widowed With The Father's Heart.
We’ve talked about how Evergreen Washelli recognizes the sacrifices caregivers make. Dan White explains that it helps to find resources to aid the grieving process. One nice resource is a newsletter, Hope after Heartache.
Cathy Knight provides an overview of aging and disability services. Cathy is the Director of the Aging and Disability Services Division for the City of Seattle's Human Services Department.
Cathy Knight provides an overview of aging and disability services. Cathy is the Director of the Aging and Disability Services Division for the City of Seattle's Human Services Department.
Cathy Knight provides an overview of aging and disability services. Cathy is the Director of the Aging and Disability Services Division for the City of Seattle's Human Services Department.
Veterans Interview with Jeanne Yoder celebrating the Veteran of the Month Award at Patriot’s Landing in DuPont, Washington. Jeanne is a retired Storekeeper Third Class, U.S. Coast Guard, who joined in 1943.
Dan White at Evergreen Washelli says that all senior caregivers must go through the last stage, which is the grief and loss of our loved one. What happens when a loved one passes, for you? How do you adjust?
Chris Strand at Careage takes us through the qualification to get Home Health services. Home Health is an insurance and Medicare benefit, not just for our parents but for ourselves. It’s important to understand the vast amount of resources home care offers families. In most cases, it’s paid for by insurance and Medicare. People have to be home-bound to get home health, where it’s difficult and taxing to leave the home. There has to be a skilled need as well as a doctor’s orders. Chris talks about the qualifications for needing home health.
Veterans Interview with Cassandra Pietz, retired Private 1st class, U.S. Army, at Patriot’s Landing in DuPont, Washington. Cassandra joined the Army in New Hampshire when she was 17 years old.
Dan White at Evergreen Washelli explains that there is no better time for funeral pre-planning than when you’re diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, while you’re fully cognizant of your wishes. Get things down on paper for someone who would be coming on your behalf, so they can honor your wishes and not have to guess or make assumptions.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements explains how siblings, the aunt or uncle of a loved one have a different role than the caregiver. They get the surprises, the cold water splashed in your face a lot, or are confronted with feelings of being inept, not knowing what to do. Even for the non-caregiving family member, it’s helpful to look and see what’s not getting done, such as weeding the garden. We talk about things you can do to be a supportive family member.
Seahawks Legend Jordan Babineaux joins Answers for Elders to talk about his non-medical transport company, Assure Ride, which provides transportation to and from medical appointments. In Puget Sound, transportation barriers include age, mobility, disability, education, economics and employment. It enables seniors to remain self-reliant once they give up driving. To learn more and book a ride, go to https://www.assureride.com.
Veterans Interview: Dennis Boyd talks with Master Sergeant Kenneth Ellis, a 27-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, at Patriot’s Landing in DuPont, Washington.
Dan White at Evergreen Washelli talks about consumer rights when it comes to funeral planning, governed by the FCC. When shopping and pre-planning for either a casketed funeral or cremation is that the company is required to be able to present a general price list covering services as well as a casket price list.
Nikki Leith from Wall Group Law in Edmonds, WA talks about senior legal matters that affect the family. The firm handles estate planning, elder law and probate. Oftentimes you're not dealing just with the client, but also the client's family.
Nikki Leith from Wall Group Law in Edmonds talks about senior legal matters that affect the family. The firm handles estate planning, elder law and probate. Oftentimes you're not dealing just with the client, but also the client's family.
Home health is medical or rehabilitative care in the home, so it varies dramatically from what we call home care. Chris Strand at Careage provides an overview of Home health, explaining how it encompasses physical therapy, nursing, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social work, and a bathing assistant. Those services are available just by asking.
Stephanie Haslam is an elder law and estate planning attorney with Compassionate Legal Care. January is a time for new starts, and it's a good time to review your estate planning documents to make sure they're all in order. If you don't have them, then to learn about the types of documents that could become important, such as power of attorney, to have someone who can help you make decisions if you're not able to do that by yourself. If you've made a will or trust, is it up to date? Are your assets properly titled in the trust? Are your healthcare directives up to date, based on the current condition of your health? It's time to take stock of these items.
Veterans Interview: Dennis Boyd talks with Lt. Colonel Frans Doelman, a 31-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, at Patriot’s Landing in DuPont, Washington. He also interviewed his two daughters.
Wendy Davis and Pam Nagel at Careage talk about the qualifications for veterans benefits. Families might not know that mom or dad served during wartime and would likely qualify for veterans benefits relating to activities of daily living, an amazing resource. Wendy talks about the activities a senior would need help with in order to qualify for these benefits.
Wendy Davis and Pam Nagel at Careage describe the aid and attendance benefits pension benefit, which began in 1951, but isn’t always understood. It is for veterans who have served during a time of war. They didn’t need to be wounded or have served overseas. It is for veterans, spouses or widows of veterans who are receiving assisted living benefits, either skilled nursing or in an assisted living situation.
Business Development Manager Kim Spencer at Serengeti Care discusses business connecting. Those with senior loved ones should establish relationships ahead of time, up front, with certain businesses, in preparation for the future.
Dan White at Evergreen Washelli talks about religious preferences and memorial services. Churches have different protocols or traditions that they follow. All have their intricacies and special requests. We are there to help serve the pastor, minister, priest — whoever is in charge of the service.
Veterans Interview: Dennis Boyd talks with Major General John Hemphill at Patriot’s Landing in DuPont, Washington. After graduating from West Point, he served 34 years in the U.S. Army, and was awarded two Purple Hearts during the Korean War.
Seahawks Legend and former safety & punt returner Nesby Glasgow joins Answers for Elders for the 12 Days of Goodness. “It’s uplifting to a lot of the seniors we visit....
Victoria Smith at Visiting Hooves talks about her senior visits during the 12 Days of Goodness.
Seahawks Legend and former wide receiver Paul Skansi joins Answers For Elders and the 12 Days of Goodness. "It's just a great time to connect with our community. All the seniors that we usually talk to know the era that we played in, so it's fun to meet with them."
Seahawks Legend and former offensive guard Edwin Bailey joins Answers for Elders and the 12 Days of Goodness. "I had a great time, I love talking to the people, I met one of the first African-American mayors. Meals on Wheels was outstanding. Everybody I met, they all invite you to come sit down, and the next thing you know we're there 30 minutes! They just want somebody to talk to."
Seahawks Legend and former safety Jordan Babineaux joins Answers For Elders and the 12 Days of Goodness. “When I think about serving seniors now, it goes back to when I...
Suzanne Newman and Chuck Olmstead update us on events for the second week of 12 Days of Goodness, 2017.
Veterans Interview: Former Seattle Seahawk Dennis Boyd talks with Chief Warrant Officer Alvin Overacker, a 23-year veteran of the U.S. Army, at Patriot’s Landing in DuPont, Washington. Overacker served in World War II, at the recruiting station in Seattle, and in the Army Counter Intelligence Corps.
How do we avoid stress? Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements says the most important thing is to plan and communicate. We get caught up in creating the perfect holiday season, which adds to the stress. The perfection of the holiday season is going to be in the memories. Keep things as consistent and calm as possible.
Seahawks Legend and former quarterback Dave Krieg joins Answers For Elders and the 12 Days of Goodness. "Obviously it's putting an emphasis on doing good things for other people. It's not what you get, but about giving back to those who aren't as fortunate than you. I'm their connection to the King Dome Days and the '80s days, but if that can bring a smile to somebody's face, all the better."
Suzanne Newman and Chuck Olmstead update us on events for the first week of 12 Days of Goodness, 2017.
The original #12: Seahawks Legend and former quarterback Sam Adkins joins Answers For Elders and the 12 Days of Goodness. "My mom has severe Alzheimer's so I understand what the elder generation and elder care is all about."
Suzanne Newman and Chuck Olmstead introduce Answers for Elders' 12 Days of Goodness Overview, Part 2.
Suzanne Newman and Chuck Olmstead introduce Answers for Elders' 12 Days of Goodness Overview, Part 1
When someone passes, they leave families behind, and we must learn to go on without them. Dan White at Evergreen Washelli talks about how the holidays are full of memories of those loved ones.
Veterans Interview with retired Lt. Colonel Ray Hensel of the U.S. Army, at Patriot’s Landing in DuPont, Washington. He was born in Seattle in 1924.
Ken Farmer at Careage discusses maintaining a healthy life balance. Always take stock: Are you ignoring any of these key elements of your life?
Ken Farmer at Careage leads by example, sharing tips for healthy living and fitness, hydration and exercise.
Veterans Interview with Sgt. 1st class, E7 Karl Knaack with the U.S. Army, at Patriot’s Landing in DuPont, Washington. Knaack was a draftee in 1952 who served in Korea. He was born in the Seattle area in 1931, one of nine children. His wife Marylou was also interviewed.
Typically we get nervous and have lots on our plate, then add the complexity of being a caregiver during the holidays, trying to uphold family traditions, and you can get overwhelmed and stressed out. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how to manage the stress by keeping things simple, and how to create memories wherever you’re at in a disease or transition with your loved ones.
Ken Farmer at Careage leads talks about retired military veterans, veterans elder care, elder care, assisted living, independent living, memory care, and the military lifestyle.
Ken Farmer is a retired two-star general from the US Army and family medical doctor. He began another career after 33-years of service to become Careage's CEO in 2016, an organization that has senior services and communities in Washington State and California.
Veterans Interview: Former Seattle Seahawk Dennis Boyd talks with Colonel Sue Minahan, a 22-year veteran of the Army Nursing Corps., at Patriot’s Landing in DuPont, Washington.
Stephen Waltar from Legacy Estate Planning in Bellvue discusses trusts. If you own a home, you need a will or a trust. We all need estate planning documents, the questing is what kinds meet their needs. We suggest reviewing documents every three years.
Stephen Waltar from Legacy Estate Planning in Bellvue discusses trusts. He said he likes the phrase, "Don't put your trust in money, put your money in trust." There are many kinds of trusts. It's like a tube of toothpaste. If you squeeze the toothpaste out, anyone can get it: their creditors, the state, and you can't get that toothpaste back in the tube. Instead, put it in a container, a trust for the benefit of someone. The difference between a will and a trust is this: if you hire an architect and they draw up blueprints, does that build the home? A will is a blueprint, it doesn't do anything until after your passing.
In the state of Washington, Seattle Seahawks fans are important. Many people get cremated in Seahawks jerseys or they have Seahawks ball caps, or their memorial service was all about photos with the Seahawks. Evergreen Washelli is in the design stages now to create a special memorial at Abbey View just for the fan base known as the “12s,” with a garden in the shape of a football field, a patio area and a cremation area, and areas just for memorials. Dan White at Evergreen Washelli welcomes any feedback our listeners would be able to provide.
It’s important for an advisor to connect with someone who can do the right thing for the right reason, be an active listener, be objective, what’s behind those words, discern really what’s important in the given situation. It is the details of life that create a positive quality of life. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how those details help answer questions, then lead to conversation about how to pay for long-term care and a senior's ideal placement.
Veterans Interview: Former Seattle Seahawk Dennis Boyd talks with Donna Ewing, a 26-year veteran of the U.S. Army, at Patriot’s Landing in DuPont, Washington.
Greg Mundell with Careage at Patriot's Landing talks about Care Plan, Assisted Living, Alzheimer's, Dementia, and Medication Management.
Veterans Interview: Former Seattle Seahawk Dennis Boyd talks with Lt. Colonel Dan Wassestrom, a 26-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, at Patriot’s Landing in DuPont, Washington.
Cremation is rising in the northwest U.S. Nationally it is about 50 percent, about 75 percent in the northwest, whereas in some places on the east coast it is as low as 10 percent, so it varies. What are the rules about scattering ashes? Dan White at Evergreen Washelli says, generally speaking, check with local authorities to see if it’s allowable, particularly in national or state parks.
Helena Reynolds at the Kent Senior Center in Kent, WA talks about helping seniors engage their minds.
Bob Le Roy, Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Association, Washington State Chapter, gears up for the 2017 Alzheimer's Walk.
Founder/Executive Director Karen Koenig and community relations manager Amy Sassenberg of the Old Friends Club in Kirkland, WA talk about Elder Day Services.
Feeling overwhelmed with not knowing which type of housing and long-term care best meets your loved ones needs? Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how you can begin the process of answering your questions. They have over 15 years of hands-on experience helping families make residential changes. So we can get to know you and your loved one, we will meet you face to face. Your loved one is much more than a list of diagnoses, symptoms and behaviors.
Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how her company acts as an objective party that is able to look into a family situation and be able to recognize certain warning signs, the ways elders compensate for shortcomings.
New statistics show one in three senior deaths are related to dementia and Alzheimer’s. A lot of people are noticing memory issues with their parents, or they see challenges like leaving the stove on, and they’re concerned. This is a good time to reach out to a community like Patriot’s Glen. A conversation with Kathleen Beers at Careage about Memory Care.
Veterans Interview with Mary Lou Knaack, at Patriot’s Landing in DuPont, Washington. Marylou is the wife of veteran Karl Knaack, retired Sgt. 1st class, E7 with the U.S. Army, a draftee in 1952 who served in Korea.
Kim Spencer at Serengeti Care provide tips for how to travel well with a senior loved one, for family reunions and other summer events, including their medications, packing light, walkers, canes, or wheel chairs.
Veterans Interview: Dennis Boyd talks with retired Colonel Mike Courts, a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Army and the mayor of DuPont, at Patriot’s Landing in DuPont, Washington.
Dan White at Evergreen Washelli provides an overview of what happens when you go to make arrangements for someone who’s passed away.
Greg Mundell with Careage at Patriot's Landing talks about End of Life, Advanced Directive, and Hospice Care.
Bob Le Roy, Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Association, Washington State Chapter, talks about the annual Alzheimer's Walk.
Moria Veston aids family communications and teaches workshops on helping families get along.
A big consideration in long-term care, whether it’s memory care or retirement living, is how in the world to fund it. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements shares some of those options today.
Juli Anne Gibson with Real Estate 55 Plus talks about selling real estate when adult children and their senior loved ones live in different states.
Veterans Interview: Dennis Boyd talks with Captain Barbra Elmore, who served in the U.S. Marines from 1964-1967 during the Vietnam War, at Patriot’s Landing in DuPont, Washington. When she served, there were only 50 women serving in the Marines.
Della Goldsworth talks about the Morning Glory Memory Keeper.
Jason Totedo, a financial advisor with AGP Wealth Advisors, talks about investment strategies.
As people are looking for a retirement community for their parents, find out the level of care they can provide. Every time a loved one moves, there is a decline in that person, so you want to find the right fit so they don’t have to move again. There are family dynamics, financial considerations, and dealing with the actual care plan. A conversation with Patriot’s Glen's Kathleen Beers at Careage about retirement living.
Pinnacle Senior Placements is an “information post” designed to help families find housing and care solutions for their loved one. I’ve took xanax bars 2 mg. The most compelling reason...
Stephanie Cameron, RN, CCM, CAPS and founder of Transitions Care Management, talks about smart technology
Bob Le Roy, Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Association, Washington State Chapter, talks about Alzheimer's research being done, particularly in the Seattle area at the University of Washington, Kaiser Permanente, the Veteran's Administration and even the NFL.
Paul Jenson at Northwest Dry Eye Center talks about dry eye, which can become a debilitating, vision-robbing condition. Patients who are having difficulties would be referred to him. Dry eye covers are range of issues, caused from environment to people working on computers. If your eyes actually feel dry, that could be a sign. Another symptom can be blurred vision in the evening.
How do you have that conversation with your parents about their final wishes? As we meet with families, a lot of people don’t like to talk about it. It’s an unpleasant topic. But with a third of all deaths of seniors related to dementia and Alzheimer’s, Dan White at Evergreen Washelli talks about how it’s important to have that conversation with your parents earlier.
Dennis Boyd interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Paul Knoop, a 29-year veteran of the U.S. Army.
Paul Jenson at Renton Vision Source near downtown Renton, Washington talks about senior eye health. As we age, subject to our genetics, we can get macular degeneration, a fairly common condition where central vision gets to become blurred, which makes reading and driving more difficult. If you don't take care of these things, you can go blind. If you struggle even a little on your driver's exam, get your eyes checked. A normal person over 60 should get an annual visit.
The first year is hardest, but the memories last forever. Dan White at Evergreen Washelli talks about adjusting after the loss of a senior loved one.
Dan White at Evergreen Washelli talks about how a big part of taking care of seniors is taking care of them upon their passing. It’s a huge emotion process, especially when you’ve been holding their hand and fighting for their quality of life for so long. We talk about what goes through families when they’re grieving.
Bob Le Roy, Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Association, Washington State Chapter, talks about Alzheimer's.
Stephanie Cameron, RN, CCM, CAPS and founder of Transitions Care Management, answers the question “What is Care Management?”
Dennis Boyd interviews John Crist, a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Navy who served on submarines.
Katherine Lyons, the president and owner of BrightStar Care, talks about the emotions that a senior loved one goes through during the process of accepting home care.
Greg Mundell with Careage at Patriot's Landing talks about moving to senior living, assisted living, memory care, Alzheimer's and Dementia.
Jason Totedo,a financial advisor with AGP Wealth Advisors, talks about moving to retirement living.
RN Case Manager Josephine Porokoso at Serengeti Care talks about the benefits of hydration.
Dennis Boyd interviews Gordon Schulthies, who served 38 years on active duty in the U.S. Army, serving in Korea and Vietnam.
Senior Concierge Advisor Kathy Kappler with Concierge Care Advisors talks about Discharge Planning.
Stephanie Haslam, an elder law and estate planning attorney with Compassionate Legal Care, discusses advocacy for those with Parkinson's disease. She oftentimes works with those families impacted by Parkinson's. A diagnosis does not define a person. Organizations are available to help people stay independent and adapt.
Stephanie Haslam is an elder law and estate planning attorney with Compassionate Legal Care. She was formerly an occupational therapist who did a lot of advocacy work for seniors. The power of attorney document is designed to speak for you when you're no longer able to speak for yourself; it is intended to memorialize your wishes and to empower yourself.
Senior Concierge Advisor Kathy Kappler with Concierge Care Advisors talks about Assessments.
Juli Anne Gibson with Real Estate 55 Plus talks about developing a plan for being proactive about aging, particularly in handling our loved one's stuff, their heirlooms.
Juli Anne Gibson with Real Estate 55 Plus talks about Aging and Choice, the first step in developing a plan for being proactive about aging.
Dennis Boyd interviews David Thorne, who joined the Air Force in 1967 and was in Vietnam for one year.
Dan White at Evergreen Washelli talks about religious preferences and memorial services.
Greg Mundell with Careage at Patriot's Landing talks about veterans, senior living, and Aid and Attendance Benefits.
Jason Totedo, a financial advisor with AGP Wealth Advisors, talks about investment strategies.
Paul Kocherhook at Pathway Design & Construction talks about Aging in Place and how to avoid home accidents. The company makes homes safer and healthier during remodels.
Dennis Boyd interviews Patriot's Landing resident Al Jones, who is from British Colombia and served in the Royal Air Force, eventually joining the U.S. Air Force. He was born in 1919 and was inspired to become a pilot at age 8 by Charles Lindbergh’s famous flight.
Beth Deems at Mission Health Care discusses Medicare. Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospitalization and inpatient skilled nursing rehabilitation on a short-term basis at 80%. Part B (an option for which you pay extra) provides outpatient coverage, including doctor’s office visits. Part D covers prescriptions. And Plan Fis a supplemental policy you can buy to help cover things such as co-pays and the 20% that Medicare may not cover. Like all Federal programs, it is subject to change.
Stephen Waltar from Legacy Estate Planning in Bellvue, WA discusses the importance of estate planning. People think because we're a community property state that they don't need to plan, they own things, they think everything automatically goes to your spouse, but then they start adding their daughter to their bank account, or their son to their brokerage account, and all of a sudden there are these messes. People get caught up with title mistakes all the time. Let's say the son gets in a car accident and gets sued. Mom and dad can lose their account to their son's creditors. It's the trouble with joint tenancy. If you try to do estate planning thinking you don't need a will or trust or an attorney, deciding that you'll just add your son to this account, then you're adding his creditors or perhaps later his divorcing spouse, which could threaten these assets.
Dan White at Evergreen Washelli talks about veterans, Memorial Day, Veteran's Tribute, and ceremonies.
Dan White at Evergreen Washelli talks about veterans, Memorial Day, Veteran's Tribute, and ceremonies.
Real Estate 55 Plus founder and CEO Juli Anne Gibson talks about challenges and transitions for senior loved ones. What Should Families Look For in a Realtor?
Beth Deems at Mission Health Care discusses the topic of Skilled Nursing. Once your parent has moved to skilled nursing, you may wonder what exactly that entails and why it is preferable to outpatient or in-home rehabilitation. Skilled nursing is focused on getting your loved one back to their prior living situation. By having 6 days of therapy a week (instead of 2 days, like in-home or outpatient), the patient progresses faster and returns to more independent living.
Dennis Boyd interviews Janet Ford, a nurse who emigrated from Saskatchewan to Minneapolis and joined the U.S. Navy in 1971. She served in Guam for 13 months.
Katherine Lyons, the president and owner of BrightStar Care, talks about the warning signs that mean its time for your senior loved one to get home care.
Jason Totedo is a financial advisor with AGP Wealth Advisors talks about long term care insurance.
RN Case Manager Josephine Porokoso at Serengeti Care talks about long term care insurance.
Seattle Seahawks Legend Dennis Boyd introduces our Veterans Interviews shows. Through our 12 Days of Goodness program, we've embraced a generation that went through experiences often marked by war, who have lived, survived and experienced things most of us only read about in books. These are unique lives marked by service, and these are stories we want people to know about.
Beth Deems at Mission Health Care discusses the continuum of senior care. Seniors want to stay in their home as long as possible, and we want to encourage that. But there comes a time when the family starts to get concerned. You always want to do right by your parents. When you are at that crossroads, here are the considerations that a family should look at.
Joanna Van Hollebeke at Swedish Medical Center Seattle talks about Medicaid and seniors.
Jason Totedo is a financial advisor with AGP Wealth Advisors talks about multigenerational financial planning.
Joanna Van Hollebeke is a patient financial advocate at Swedish Medical Center Seattle who helps under-insured or uninsured patients with their medical bills.
Stephen Waltar from Legacy Estate Planning in Bellvue, WA discusses estate planning. A good estate plan protects what you love and protects your wishes when you move on. Before people come in to talk about an estate plan, he likes them to answer a background questionnaire so he can meet them prepared. Are they married, have children, and information about their assets to find a plan that meets their needs.
Mary Lynn Pannen at Sound Options talks about the old Answers for Elders care line, in which people were able to speak with a consultant trained in healthcare, social work, or geriatric care management.
Beth Deems at Mission Health Care discusses fall prevention, one of the best things we as caregivers can do for our senior parents. And while it may not be possible to prevent all falls, mitigating that risk is so important. One in five falls results in a serious injury, such as broken bone or head injury, according to the Center for Disease Control.
Real Estate 55 Plus founder and CEO Juli Anne Gibson talks about how the Puget Sound firm differs from a regular real estate agent. They can help guide seniors and their adult children in the sale of a home as well as the other components that come into play.
Seattle's Joe Tafoya talks about his personal experiences with Alzheimer's. His mother was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's.
Annie Atherton at Sound Generations discusses different types of Meals On Wheels programs.
RN Case Manager Josephine Porokoso at Serengeti Care in the Greater Puget Sound area in Washington shares her wisdom about caregiver burnout.