Answers on Aging Podcast: Recent Episodes
Todd Whatley and Sara Scott
“Aging” or “Growing Old” has to be better than dying young, right?? Join Certified Elder Law Attorney, Todd Whatley, and Long Term Care Expert, Sara Scott, with over 30 years of combined first hand knowledge and experience, as they dive deep into the complexities, sensitive topics, and how-to’s of becoming an “aging individual” or caregiver of an aging loved one. This podcast covers senior-related caregiving issues, legal/financial issues, when to stop driving, late in life marriages, grief, death, and other end of life concerns. If you struggle with what to do next, how to cope, or simply the basics on what lies ahead as you or your loved one ages, this podcast provides solutions to your questions by bringing you all the ANSWERS ON AGING.
Today Sara and Todd talk about the way you SHOULD be paying mom and dad's bills . If you are helping mom and dad out by picking some things up at the store for them, you are probably doing what makes sense. However, you are probably doing it wrong!!
Todd and Sara walk you though this seemingly innocent process to show you how it can cause problems with the Medicaid application and it can possibly cost you, the child, lots of extra money to cover this innocent mistake.
If you are caring for a loved one, and buying stuff for them, you have to listen to this episode.
Information to help you answer all of your questions about aging.
Today Sara and Todd have a little fun. It's been a little depressing lately so they decide to talk about the things that can bring joy as you age. Anything from a lack of filter so you can say pretty much anything you want to volunteering to make a difference to a child or non-profit. There are many ways to have joy and bring joy to others.
Listen today and hopefully get and give a little bit of joy.
Information to help you answer all of your questions about aging.
Today Sara and Todd talk about a very common misconception that people have about their Revocable Living Trust; does it protect me from Medicaid. The short answer is "no" but there's more to it than that and also, is it the end of the world if it doesn't? Again, the answer is "no".
Today they talk about why the RLT doesn't work, what does work and what to do if you don't qualify. It's a quicker episode with lots of good information.
Information to help you answer all of your questions about aging.
Today Sara and Todd talk about a struggle they have with potential clients every day. Getting people to finally take the steps to get their estate plan in order is so critically important. Today Todd and Sara talk about the reasons it's necessary to do your planning now.
Not planning is always more expensive and limits the actions you can take to protect your estate. It also put the decisions into the hands of stranger who doesn't know your situation at all. And it's not just so much protecting the estate, it's peace of mind knowing your wishes are in place.
Listen today as Sara and Todd help you know that you need to plan and give you some help in getting an aging loved one to plan. It's a great show today.
Information to help you answer all of your questions about aging.
Sara and Todd jump into a really heavy subject today, Elder Abuse. This topic is hard to digest but it is there. They have seen it in Todd's Elder Law Practice a number of times in the last few weeks and it's something that needs to be addressed.
In this episode, they discuss the different types of abuse and how to recognize it and then what to do when you see abuse. There are things you need to look for and there are things you can do when you see it.
Listen to this episode and share with friends to help a senior that may be being abused.
Information to help you answer all of your questions about aging.
Today, Todd and Sara cover a topic they've covered before but with recent updates. We encourage you that if you are a Veteran or especially if you know a Veteran (or the widow of a Veteran) needing help getting the care they need, you have to listen to this benefit.
Today we discuss the assets limits and the amounts of monthly benefits that a Veteran or their spouse can get. Please listen and share with a veteran friend.
Information to help you answer all of your questions about aging.
We get this question all the time. People are told "your income is too high to qualify for Medicaid". However, their income is WAY less than what it takes to pay for the nursing home. Some States have what is called an "Income Cap" which means there is a maximum amount that you can make. However, that limit is much under the amount that facilities cost.
Therefore, you have to jump through some hoops to qualify. That "hoop" is commonly called a Miller Trust. Today, Todd and Sara talk about the Miller Trust and how you can create it and still qualify for Medicaid even if you have a higher income than allowed.
*Note: Not every State has an income cap so don't be surprised if you have never heard of this.
Information to help you answer all of your questions about aging.
Today Todd and Sara tackle a very common question and issue causing problems with aging families. It makes sense to pay for a family member (child or grandchild) to get paid to care for an aging loved one. It makes sense to you but not to the Medicaid agency when you need to apply for Medicaid.
Today we discuss how to make this work which takes PRE PLANNING. You have to do this on the front end and not the end. We talk about how to make this clear to Medicaid that the checks to the caregiver was not a gift.
Knowing this information will save you a lot of trouble when it comes time to apply and could save you in attorney's fees when the attorney goes to apply for Medicaid for you. Listen and learn
Information to help you answer all of your questions about aging.
Today, Sara shares with us her real expertise of working with seniors and their families when it comes to deciding IF someone needs a higher level of care and then HOW to go about it.
You may not be able to hire Sara but there are people near you that can probably do what Sara does. By listening to today's podcast you will know what should happen and know what questions to ask. Hopefully, you will learn when it needs to happen and how to make it happen with the best possible outcome.
Listen today as Sara and Todd help answer a huge question, How do I find help when placing a loved one.
Information to help you answer all of your questions about aging.
Today, Sara and Todd talk about one the harder things they deal with in their work. They see families have to transition from where they are now to a higher level of care such as assisted living or a nursing home.
That is a hard process for everyone involved. Sara is directly involved in helping families do this every day. Today, she talks about the process and gives you steps to take to make the process as easy as possible. Some of her advice is contrary to what you would think but she knows directly how to do this and you will learn much from her experience.
Join us today as we answer the question, How do I help a loved one transition to a higher level of care.
Information to help you answer all of your questions about aging.
Today Sara and Todd talk about the issue of a child caring for a parent while there are siblings not able to step in and care. This can be the cause of significant about of stress and the loss of lifelong good relationships.
Our episode today brings up questions and topics you need to discuss and how to work through some of the problems that will inevitably arise. Although Todd and Sara are essentially only children, both of them have years of experience working with families through these issues.
Call your sibling and have them listen to today's episode.
Information to help you answer all of your questions about aging.
Today Todd and Sara talk about their radio show and their FaceBook Live event they do every week. If you ever wanted to see what Todd and Sara look like, FaceBook is the place to do that.
Every Wednesday morning at 9:00 Central time, they do a radio show that airs live in Northwest Arkansas and surrounding areas. You can listen to that radio show on your computer at www.KURM.net, just click on the "listen live" button.
Also, if you are on FaceBook, you can watch and listen to them live AND you can go back and see previous shows. In addition, during the FB live event, you can ask questions that we will see on the show and answer.
We would LOVE for you to join us on FaceBook so listen to this podcast and learn what you are missing.
Sara and Todd today discuss a great resource for our listeners to help them quickly learn what we have been talking about. Todd's office has a really nice magazine-style resource that they give out to the public. It talks about the unique estate planning rules for seniors, Powers of Attorney, Medicaid, Medicare and VA.
We encourage you to let Todd and Sara send you this resource. Listen today to learn about this and how to get it in your hands.
Today Todd and Sara talk about the caregiver again. The caregiver has a very difficult role and it's important for them to have good mental health. Today's topic is to show you signs of issues and how to get the help you need so that you can continue to care for your loved one.
Sara and Todd also talk about how to get the help you need and much of it for free. Join us today if you're stressed out as a caregiver or know someone who is. We hope this episode helps.
Today we address a common question we get in the office. People think that different things happen then it's too late. It's never too late but you don't have to wait until you are broke in order to qualify,
The Medicaid rules are quite generous if you know what to do with the rules. Today we talk about different situations and how you can apply for Medicaid to get the care you need without going broke. Today's episode is quick and to the point and can help you or someone you know literally save a large portion of their estate if not their whole estate. Please join Sara and Todd today.
The Holidays are a time that we visit family. If your trip is going to see an aging family member, our episode will help you look for signs of trouble. Phone calls throughout the year are great, but you may be missing things that are going on.
Today, Sara and Todd will walk you through some very practical things you can do while at an aging loved one's home to see how things are going. They talk about looking at the car, the refrigerator, floors and different things around the house.
They also talk about topics to discuss. Yes, it may be difficult but it's conversations that you really do need to have to make sure things are being handled.
Today, Todd and Sara discuss the 2 simple things you can do to save lots of money and reduce lots of stress. Doing these two things will bring you tremendous peace of mind. We have seen in thousands of clients that doing these two things will take care of LOTS of other problems.
It's a shorter podcast so please listen and share this with your friends and family.
Today Todd and Sara have a very special guest, Dr. Harry Lizarte who is a internal medicine doctor that focuses his practice on seeing Seniors in their home. He has some very strong feelings on how healthcare for Seniors should be and he is implementing some cutting edge technology for senior health.
If you have an aging loved one, you MUST listen to this episode. Dr. Lizarte will educate you on the needs of the seniors and how close of attention you need to keep on them to keep them healthy into their later years. This is a great show and you don't want to miss it.
On today's episode, Sara and Todd discuss the Federal Law that gives many rights to the resident of a Nursing Home. You probably don't know about most of these rights, but they are crucial to getting good care.
Sara, as a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator is adamant that our listeners know what they should be getting for their loved one in a Nursing Home. Join Todd and Sara today as they discuss each of these rights and what you should do to really help your loved one.
Here is a download of the Federal Nursing Home Resident's Rights: https://downloads.cms.gov/medicare/your_resident_rights_and_protections_section.pdf
Don't forget about Sara and Todd's Book on How to get the Right Care for Your Loved One: https://answersonagingpodcast.com/we-wrote-a-book/
Todd is just back from a conference where one of the speakers was a Neurologist from University of Kentucky Alzheimer's Center. He brought the latest information and Todd along with Sara bring you the latest findings and possible prevention for this horrible disease.
Join us to day and share this with someone who is interested in dementia and Alzheimer's.
This is one of Todd's soap boxes in the legal profession. As an Elder Law Attorney, seniors should not rely on a Last Will and Testament as their sole estate planning tool. There is no need for one. And, no attorney who advocates for this has been able to explain how relying on a Will as your estate planning tool is in the client's best interest.
Join Sara and Todd today and they discuss Wills and why you need something different. One of the alternatives is actually free and it's what the vast majority of Todd's clients use.
Today, Sara and Todd talk about a chapter in their new book. They focus on narrowing down the large number of facilities that you could choose from and looking at the best 2-3 facilities. It's a daunting process but today's episode helps you step by step.
Don't forget about their new book. If you want the whole process in one place from very beginning (Do I even need to start this process?) to the final stages (What if there is a problem once you are there?), you need to get their new book.
Here are links:
The physical book: https://elderlawcoach.samcart.com/products/conquering-the-maze-of-long-term-care-physical-copy
The Download Book: https://elderlawcoach.samcart.com/products/nursing-home-book
Here is a link to the physical book: https://elderlawcoach.samcart.com/products/conquering-the-maze-of-long-term-care-physical-copy
Here is a link to the download copy: https://elderlawcoach.samcart.com/products/nursing-home-book
Today is part II of our common questions series. Todd does a Q and A twice a month where people ask lots of questions. Sara writes down those questions and we bring them to the Podcast.
So, we are pretty sure we are going to answer a question that you have about aging in today's Podcast. If we don't answer a burning question you have, then feel free to drop us a comment and we will do our best to answer your question in a future show.
We talk constantly about Powers of Attorney since we think they are THE most important document you can do. However, we have not talked about some of the concerns that the Agent my have in serving in that role. Today Sara and Todd talk about the concerns that an Agent may have and some points that the Agent needs to know before agreeing to serve as the agent.
If you listen to us, you know the importance of the Power of Attorney. Today we help you and your agent know what you and they are getting into and knowing it's probably going to be OK to do this document and protect you and your estate.
When trying to figure out which long term care facility to placed a loved one, there are a TON of things to do. Today, Todd and Sara discuss a few of the questions you need to ask when interviewing the facility.
These are but a few of the questions that need to be asked. You can get the full list of questions from Sara and Todd's new book Conquering the Maze of Finding Long Term Care for Your Loved One. In their book, they discuss all aspects of this process but there are 20 questions you should ask when trying to decide if this is the right place for your loved one.
Join us today as we help you figure out this maze. To get a digital copy of the book, go to this link: www.AnswersOnAgingPodcast.com/maze.
Losing a loved one is really tough. There's emotions, tensions and families but then there are things that need to be done. But what? Where do you begin?
Todd and Sara tackle these questions today and teach you first, that nothing really needs to be done immediately. Take some time to grieve and time with family and pay your respects. Those bill collectors can wait and really nothing needs to be done before the funeral is over.
Today we give you a check list of things that need to be done to wrap up the estate of a loved immediately and whether you need to see an attorney or not. Today's show is a little depressing but it can really help out during such a hard time. Plus, Todd "kick's the can" accidentally to add a little bit of humor.
Today, Todd and Sara announce their new book Conquering the Maze of Finding Long Term Care for Your Loved One. This is a quick resource that you will find tremendously helpful if you or someone you know is in the early stages of trying to find a nursing home.
Finding a nursing home can be a daunting process. When do you start looking? Where do you start? How do I narrow the choices down? What do I ask while I'm there? How do I pay for it? What if there's a problem with the care my loved one is getting? Those, and other, questions are all answered in this book.
Join us today to hear about their newest project and how to get it. You can get it at: www.AnswersOnAgingPodcast.com/maze
Let us know what you think.
Today Todd and Sara compile a list of questions they get frequently from real live people in public settings. Todd does a "Coffee with a Pro" 3 times a month and he gets the same questions pretty much every time. So, Sara and Todd thought that you, our faithful followers, might have the same questions.
They discuss putting your kids on your home and bank accounts, Powers of Attorneys, etc.
This is version 1 of probably many.
We are all subject to being scammed. Both Todd and Sara have fallen for some of them and they know what to look for. Seniors tend to be very trusting of every phone call and every email. There are billions of dollars being taken from our loved ones by fraudulent tactics.
Today we have our friend from Parenting Aging Parents back with us to talk about scams common with seniors and even with their parents. Their FaceBook page Parenting Aging Parents gets many complaints about scams and they are very knowledgeable and are here to help us talk about how to prevent you and and your aging loved ones from being scammed.
Today we have back our favorite Occupational Therapist Heidi Hunyh announcing her new home program to help seniors age with purpose at home so they can get back to a fulfilled life. Join Sara and Todd as they talk to Heidi about this amazing program.
If you or a loved one is having a hard time getting back to a full life after Covid or after another type of Medical event, you really should join us today to get some great pointers from Heidi.
Heidi's website is www.WeAgeWithPurpose.com.
Todd and Sara (mainly Todd) have some soapbox issues that deserve to be discussed. Each topic doesn't require a whole podcast episode. We talk about issues of hiring an attorney, dementia tips, respecting elders and even driving tips for everyone (especially millennial females)
It's a fun episode where Todd and Sara blow off a little steam and we think you will enjoy it.
Therapy and Nursing is so very important for older people who have had some sort of illness or injury. Medicare gladly pays for therapy and nursing but there are some issues you need to be aware of when navigating through this.
Today Todd and Sara share their experience as a Therapist and Nursing Home Administrator working with clients and getting the therapy they need. There are some pitfalls that all patients and families of patients need to know.
Todd makes reference to a Federal lawsuit against Medicare and CMS and mentions a link you may need in order to get your loved one the care they need. Here is that link: https://www.cms.gov/CEnter/Special-Topic/Jimmo-Center
Please listen to this if you have a loved one getting skilled care and know your rights to getting them the care they need.
Probate is typically a bad process and something that can easily be avoided IF you get the right information. Today, Todd and Sara talk about what Probate is and how to avoid it.
This is one of Todd's soapboxes so be ready to hear him fuss a little about how this get's messed up by many attorneys. Pay attention to this one and it can save you a substantial amount of money on court and attorney fees.
We've done a previous podcast about how devastating falls can be to the older person. Today we have an expert on fall prevention, Dr. Nathan Estrada who is a Physical Therapist with Nymbl Science who produces a smart phone program to help you work on balance at home. The result are AMAZING in helping people feel better about moving and getting back to life.
Join Todd and Sara as they talk about the importance of balance and learn from Dr. Estrada about how to work on your balance and keep you up and going.
Today Todd and Sara discuss one of the most confused issues of dealing with Medicaid and transferring your property. There is a 5-year lookback but it's really not the horrible thing you may think it is.
This is a shorter episode addressing the issue of giving away assets and qualifying for Medicaid.
Today we have a really cool couple who were busy professional journalist when their parents started needing help. Today we have the creators of Parenting Aging Parents, Mike and Kim Barnes.
Mike and Kim have a website ParentingAgingParents.com and a Facebook group by the same name. They have lived the life of parenting their aging parents and they have created a great resource for all people wanting information on aging parents.
Join us today for a great show and get to know some really nice people do really good things for seniors and their families.
Today Todd and Sara have a guest. Heidi Hunyh (Win) is an Occupational Therapist from Washington State and she focuses on seniors and helping them be able to get back home and do well in their home.
Occupational Therapist are trained professionals that work with clients to help them be as independent as possible and many times stay home longer. Our guest today does a great job explaining this and she actually has some tools and lists that you can benefit from immediately. Please listen today and take advantage of her products she discusses.
Today Sara and Todd vent a little about care and how some people complain about not getting good care but they are also pretty grumpy. Today they talk about the benefits of being nice and how that really can effect the care you get from your doctor, your attorney or your food service at the restaurant.
Being nice really does pay off. Hopefully this will brighten your day and encourage you to be a little nicer to the world.
Going to the nursing home doesn't mean that you lose everything. Surprisingly, a single person or the second spouse going into the nursing home is able to usually protect one-half of the assets, if not more!!!!!
However, you have to have a professional that really understands the process and knows how to work through the Medicaid rules in order to do this correctly. Join Todd and Sara as they explain how to protect assets when you need some very expensive care.
Today we focus on a specific situation where one spouse needs Medicaid. People really don't understand this issue and think they will lose everything or at best lose half. However, if a couple is under $1 million, NOT counting the home, they can probably qualify for Medicaid really quick and keep everything.
Also, DIVORCE IS NOT THE ANSWER. So many times, the advice given by non-Elder Law Attorneys is to get a divorce to keep half. Well, that is horrible advice. An Elder Law Attorney who knows what they are doing can protect most if not all of the assets within reason.
Listen today to learn how this really works.
Today we talk about a number of topics. We discuss things that may surprise you about Elder Law and then we talk about Nursing Homes.
Sara is the Nursing Home expert and as a former Administrator, she tells you some inside information about nursing homes that will surprise you. Todd, will tell you some things that you need to know about Elder Law and a few things that will probably surprise you.
It's a fun episode with Todd and Sara. Join us.
People tend to get confused about the different types of Dementia. People ask if the person has Alzheimer's or do they have Dementia. Today Sara and Todd discuss the terminology and the different types of dementia.
Join them on this podcast where they discuss common questions people have about one of the most devastating conditions that effects many older people.
Today, we do a podcast interviewing a real life client of Todd's that went through all the processes with his parents. Our guest is Macintosh (Mac) Ewell. He hired Todd 16 years ago to help deal with his aging parents. He talks about the signs that there was a problem and how he sought help and got the work done that needed to be done. He also talks about how that work made this so much more bearable in light of all the things going on.
Listen today to see how this should work start to finish and what you should do now and what to expect as you progress through this process. We hope you enjoy.
Today, Todd explains in very simply terms what a Stroke (CVA) is and gives you something to compare it to in its effect and it's treatment. If you every have wondered what exactly happened and why the treatment is as it is, we discuss it today.
Sara also talks about signs of a Stroke and how you can tell FAST if someone is having a stroke so you can get treatment quickly, which is super important. Join us today and learn something and have a little fun.
One of the most difficult thing to do is spending time and helping someone with moderate to late stages of Dementia. Both Sara and Todd have years of experience working with people with a Dementia diagnosis. Join them today as they discuss some tips and tactics for caregivers to use when working with someone with Dementia.
These tips are great for you and for the person with Dementia. Both of you will appreciate you listening to this episode. Let Todd and Sara know what you think by sending them an email or message from the website www.AnswersOnAgingPodcast.com
So many people sort of "give up" as they age. However, this is the time to really do some stuff and it's time to have a list of things you want to do. Having a Bucket List is a great way to stay "in the game", motivated and driven to stay in shape, save money and do some really cool stuff.
Hopefully, in this episode Sara and Todd will encourage you to get out there and do some stuff (and PLEASE tell us when you do. We would love to have you on the podcast telling us about your bucket list adventure). So, this is a fun and hopefully inspirational episode that helps you continue with life and continue making some memories. Let's do it!!!!!
Bank Accounts. What can be wrong with how you set up a bank account? A WHOLE BUNCH OF STUFF.
Probably the most common mistake I see with senior planning is in their bank account. Many times because they did what the bank person told them to do. Please join us for this episode and learn about ways that you can mess up a bank account and how to do it correctly.
Join us today for a fun episode about how to correctly set up bank accounts to avoid much trouble and confusion.
This is a very common question among aging clients who are concerned about needing long term care and the dreaded "5 Year Lookback". Today we discuss this and show you ways that you can actually gift money now without causing major problems if you need care within the next 5 years.
It's another one of Todd's "soapboxes" that he has strong opinions about. Yep, another one!!!
Note: You may not want your kids or grandkids to listen to this one since I do show you how and encourage you to make gifts now so that they can enjoy what you give them but YOU get to see them enjoy it also. So, use this as you see fit but Sara and Todd hope you get some good information out of this episode.
Elder Law is a unique field of the law. You've scheduled a meeting with the attorney and you think you should just show up? To have a good initial meeting, you need to bring some information that may surprise you. Today's episode discusses what you need to bring and why.
We want you to get the help you need and this episode will help you get your money's worth from that meeting. Join us as we discuss what information you should bring with you to the Elder Law Attorney meeting.
Today we talk about old mind sets versus new mindsets. The senior community clearly understands that in medicine they use specialist for specific medical issues. However, that "specialist mind set" has not gotten over to the legal issues yet.
Aging requires a specialist when it comes to legal issues. We discuss today the difference between a general practice attorney and an Elder Law Attorney. Join us here to see what the you could be missing out on or losing by not getting the right help.
We get optimistic today. We are tired of Covid. We still know it's serious but it seems that the pandemic is easing and restrictions are being lifted. However, as an aging person, you probably shouldn't just jump out there like nothing has changed over the last two years.
There's some things you need to know and to do to prepare to get back out into the "Post-Covid" world, or the world now as we know it. Listen to this episode for yourself or for a loved one to make sure you are ready to get back out there and enjoy life "mostly" like we knew it before.
Today we interview John Lehr, CEO of the Parkinson's Foundation. Parkinson's disease is a tremendous issue with the aging population. Today we learn exactly what it is and what is being done to treat it and progression toward a cure.
Join us today to learn about Parkinson's Disease. It's a great and informative show today.
Today we branch out possibly upsetting the "apple cart". We are here for our listeners to help the aging population get the information they need. Many times, the need for a nursing home for a short term or long term is needed.
Today, we tell you some of the things that nursing homes won't tell you. Both Sara and Todd have worked in Nursing Homes and they know the behind the scenes stuff that the general public needs to know but usually doesn't.
Today's show will enlighten you to some things that could get your loved one more care or better care and keep you enlightened.
Today we touch on a hard but VERY important topic: Marriages later in life. This is fraught with all the good stuff like greed, love, betrayal, money, etc. Todd has met with couples before they got married and after learning all there is to know, decided to not get married. There are some major issues that you may or may not be aware of and need to know.
Join us on this episode as Sara and Todd delve into a deep subject that many people don't want to talk about.
Since we are approaching 50 episodes total, we look back at the top episodes according to the number of downloads, which we assume is the listener favorites. We then talk about our favorite episodes and why we like them and why you should listen.
This episode could be a "Beginner's Guide" to the Answers on Aging Podcast and which episodes to listen to first.
Thanks for getting us to 50 episodes, and we are only jus beginning.
Look at your wallet or purse. What if it were lost or stolen? What damage could be done? Today Sara and Todd discuss the things that really don't need to be with you all the time and the damage that can be done if you lose those items. Some items will surprise you.
It's a fun episode where we discuss one of those things that we rarely discuss but really should. If you know someone with a huge wallet (most older men) or a cram packed purse (most women) then send them this episode. Enjoy.
Scammers are prevalent now days. We hate them but we REALLY hate them during the holidays. They seem to ramp up their activities during this time of year when people are generous and wanting to help others.
In today's episode, we teach you how to recognize a scam and hopefully how to avoid it. Join us today as Todd and Sara discuss common scams and how to avoid them. Share this with your friends to help protect them too.
Finding a good place for a loved one is tough. You can ask around to people you know who have done it or know someone who has done it and get their opinion. However, that is a very limited data set to draw from.
Thankfully, Medicare gathers lots of pertinent information from various sources to rate every nursing home out there. We teach you how to get that information and what the information means. Sara has very personal experience with this and does a great job of explaining what this information really means and how to use to get the best care for your loved one.
Please join Sara and Todd as they discuss the comparison tool for nursing homes.
Today we address the job shortage and how seniors can help business and help themselves. Many seniors find retirement not to be what they expected. Many want to go to work but don't know how or where to begin or what to actually do.
We address the issues of working after "retirement" and give some great ideas on what to to and how to do it.
Today we talk about when things don't go as planned with your care provider. People make mistakes and things happen. Rather than jumping in and making the situation worse, today Sara talks about how to go about bringing your complaints to the right people and working for a solution.
There are proper steps to take when there's a problem but most people don't know how to do it. Join us today to see what can be done to get the best care possible for your loved one.
Todd and Sara interview some really fun attorneys from Atlanta who happen to be black and who do Estate Planning and Elder Law. Having spent some time with them, we learned that there are some very stark differences in our practices while working with Caucasian and African American clients.
We have a fun discussion of our differences and similarities. It's a really fun episode with Nicola Richardson and Olivia Smith. Please join us.
Today we explore one of Todd's HOT TOPICS. That means it makes him hot (with frustration). We talk about the issues of a guardianship and actually why it should be the absolutely last resort when needed.
We talk about ways to avoid a guardianship (which is really easy and not that expensive). Join us today if you don't fully understand guardianships. PLEASE forward this episode to someone who's been told they need a guardianship for a loved one. You may actually save them a lifetime of expense and inconvenience.
Join us today as Todd talks about Trusts. There is huge amount of interest in Trusts and many people have them. The problem is most people don't fully understand their trust and don't really understand why they have a trust.
Todd gives the top 10 issues with Trusts and whether or not you really need a Trust. You will hear some information here you won't get from most other attorneys. You may actually learn that you can avoid Probate without the expense of a Trust. (Hey, a little secret - Todd's mom and Dad did NOT have a trust and he obviously he would have given them the best estate plan in the world. He did and it was NOT a trust)
Join us for this informative show and you will learn something, we're pretty sure.
We jump into the sensitive areas that aging parents and adult children really do need to discuss. In today's episode, we give you the questions you should ask and some pointers on how to start the conversation (blame it on us!!!).
Listen and share this episode with those you know who have aging parents and are concerned about their well being.
Today Sara and Todd talk about the fundamentals you need as a caregiver. Sara is in full-on "boy mom" which means lots of sports. She uses a sport analogy to bring home the idea that caregiving can be like a sport and you need to focus on the fundamentals for yourself as the caregiver and for the one being cared for.
You will get some great ideas and tips for caregiving and maintaining that role for the duration.
Join us as Nursing Home Administrator Sara Scott tell us how to and why it's important to test drive a nursing home.
You don't have to go "all in" if you will start early. Take a break for yourself as a caregiver and try some places out. You don't have to stay there forever, you can stay a few days and see how you like it. Sort of like test driving a car.
Join us to learn from Sara how to get the best care you can for your loved one.
We introduce a really cool long term care solution. If you want personalized service and a literal "home" atmosphere, you need to hear this episode.
We talk to the owner of a House of 3 residential community. If you are looking at needing care, you should definitely check this out and see if it's right for you.
Join us today for probably the most expensive question you have ever ask or will ask. People are surprised that many times they don't have to pay for the nursing home since the Medicaid rules are actually quite generous.
Join us today as we discuss how generous the rules are for a married couple and even for a single person who is in, or contemplating going in, a nursing home. We also discuss some of the incorrect stigmas that you may have about Medicaid and nursing homes.
Please join us and possibly it will save you or someone you know a very large part of their life savings.
This is a very common question Sara and Todd get frequently. There are lots of issues about moving a parent in with you (Episode 26 covers that very well) but there are some tips and techniques that can save a very large part of the estate when you need to a parent into your home or you decide to move in with your parent.
Join Sara and Todd as they discuss this very pertinent topic that comes up very frequently.
Sara found a guest who has done it right. He lives in Washington DC and his parents live in Florida. There was an incident with his mom and dealing with that realizes that his father has dementia. He then took the steps to handle the situation correctly and he tells us all about it.
Join us on this episode to learn first hand how it's done correctly.
Join us today for a very special episode where a friend of Todd's discusses moving his aging mother into he and his wife's home. You will be given some pointers to think about and probably a few things that you had not thought of.
It's a fun episode that will help prepare you for the big move of moving a parent in with you.
It's time to take an inventory of how you are doing, or how your aging loved one is doing. Join us today and learn what things you need to look for to see if you or someone you love is aging in an unhealthy way. Yes, this can be depressing but catching it early leads to better treatment!
You may be suffering from something that you think is "just aging" when it can actually be treated and corrected. So, listen in today as Todd and Sara discuss signs of unhealthy aging.
We have a guest today, Dr. Gary Chambers a Neuropsychologist that both Todd and Sara have worked with over the years. He joins us today to talk about dementia and ADHD, which surprised both of us. Many times, the problem an adult is having may not be dementia but maybe undiagnosed ADHD.
Join us to learn about your brain and we are sure you will get a few good tips from today's episode.
We get controversial this week!! This is not a settled topic among attorneys but Todd has done the research on this. He has spoken to national audiences on this topic and get very mixed reviews from praise to scoffs.
Listen in and get the information you need to know that your loved can still make decisions themselves and can or cannot sign documents. (Plus, Todd tells a joke)
Join us today for 5 tips that will help ensure that your family will be as happy and harmonious as possible when you pass. This is a time when lots of things can happen and we will help as much as we can to make it go well.
Also, we have a new intro and outro. We are kind of proud of it.
Join Todd and Sara as they discuss one of THE most misunderstood issues of Medicaid: spend down. Also, there are many misconceptions about this issue and this information can literally help you save your entire estate when a spouse needs expensive care.
Please join us and learn how you can get the care you need and not lose everything.
One of the biggest frustrations with families is that their loved one created a trust to avoid probate but then everything still goes through probate. The reason being, they forgot to fund the trust. Doing an estate plan is a total waste if you don't follow through with funding.
Hear Todd and Sara discuss why you need to fund a trust and how to fund a trust.
This is look into our past and how we met MANY years ago and how we have stayed friends and done lots of projects together, and even stayed friends to this date.
This is a fun and light episode that gives you a glimpse into Todd and Sara's life.
Share with us the story of you and your friend's life. We would love to hear it and may share it on future episodes.
To carry on our theme of the importance of staying connected, we talk about the importance of Friendships.
A good friend is fun but also crucial to your mental and physical health. Join us as we discussed ways to stay social, keep old friends and make new ones.
We "nerd out" today with this topic. However, we address probably the biggest issue that families are concerned about and ask questions in pretty much every meeting.
This is a shorter episode but we REALLY encourage you to listen because there's some important stuff in here that you probably don't understand and need to know. Let us know how we did.
Today we do a lighthearted show on laughter.
Laughter has some amazing effects on the human body and mind. Listen today to get encouragement to lighten up and laugh. It really is good medicine.
Today we have a fun discussion with Dr. Eric Belin, Dermatologist and former Navy flight surgeon. It's a great show and you WILL learn something cool about your skin (and hair).
Today we interview a PhD in Conflict Resolution, Join us to learn how to enter into hard situations when dealing with your senior loved one.
Today, we answer listeners specific questions (and they are probably your questions, also).
Subject Matter Expert Special Guest: Megan Cosgrove
meganc@meadowsinbentonville.com
479-586-8784
Understanding that Long Term Care is not JUST a Nursing Home is critically important when making decisions about alternative care options for you or your aging loved one.
This episode highlights the services offered, benefits, and important facts about how, why, and when to consider Assisted Living for the next chapter in your aging journey.
This episode provides answers to the following questions (including but NOT limited to):
(For aging individuals) Why is it important for me to know about all the available options for care?
(For adult children or caregivers) How do I find out what options are available in my area?
What are the basic differences between each level of care?
How do I go about preparing for getting the appropriate services?
Questions answered in this episode include (but NOT limited to):
(For aging individuals) Why should I share information about my finances?
(For adult children and caregivers) Why is it important to know about my aging loved ones finances?
With whom should I share my financial information?
How do I obtain financial information about my aging loved one?
What is the age difference between Todd and Sara? (BONUS!! :) )
Questions answered in this episode include (but NOT limited to):
(For aging individuals) How do I ask for help when I notice something more is going on?
(For adult children/caregivers) How do I step in once I have determined it is time to do so?
What is the best way to start these difficult conversations?
Get to know us, (Todd Whatley and Sara Scott), and find out our purpose for bringing you this podcast and what makes us "qualified" to provide all the Answers on Aging!
We record episodes from Todd's home office-turned-studio located in Northwest Arkansas.
Questions answered in this episode include (but are NOT limited to):
When do I step in or allow someone to help me?
Signs to look for to determine if help is warranted include:
Physical: unintentional weight change (typically loss, but can be gain); overall physical appearance, especially grooming/hygiene habits. Dexterity (ability to hold on to small objects, handwriting, eating, etc.), Changes in gait (ability to walk, keep balance)
Sleep patterns: Increased or decreased sleeping hours, location of sleep is also an indication of "something more", that should be looked in to further.
Cognitive Changes: Increased overall confusing, missing doctors appointments, driving safety/awareness deteriorates. Mis-managing medications is a key indicator to take special attention to. Repetitive question asking, increased forgetfulness.
Mood/Emotional Changes: Drastic personality/behavior changes (positive OR negative) can indicate that something may be going wrong.
Dementia vs Delirium
Ask your aging loved one to list you on the HIPAA release at doctor offices, and caregivers need to request to be notified upon any missed appointments.
Approach these noticed changes in a very delicate, sensitive, and efficient way.
Positive Signs: Ability to carry-out daily tasks, willingness to discuss current condition
www.care.com article "Aging Parents: Signs it's time to step in and help aging parents"
Understanding these "red flags" will help you identify when help is necessary AND prevent "crisis mode", and learn when and how to step-in and help your aging loved ones, OR ask for help from a family member, inform your physician and get the help within your reach.