Caring for Your Aging Parents Lynn Smargis

Caring for Your Aging Parents
Season 01 Episode 17
Effective Strategies for Introducing Assisted Living to Aging Parents
 
Ever found yourself at a loss for words when discussing the topic of assisted living with your aging parents? I'm here to guide you through these complex conversations. Together, we'll navigate the often challenging path of discussing elder care, all wrapped up in my personal insights from my own journey of caring for my terminally ill parents.
 
Key Components to Discuss Assisted Living Transitions for Your Senior Parents
 
Empathy, patience, and open communication are key in these discussions, and we'll delve into how to make your loved ones feel empowered in their decision-making process. We'll discuss the transition from home to assisted living or independent living communities, not as a way of shirking responsibilities, but as a means to ensure the safety and well-being of your loved ones. Furthermore, we'll explore effective communication within caregiving, namely the importance of using "I" statements and asking open-ended questions to express genuine concern. I'll share invaluable advice on how to introduce your parents to the idea of assisted living, from touring communities to engaging them in activities with potential future neighbors.
 
The Importance of Understanding Your Elderly Parents Concerns
 
This episode is the beginning of a journey that we'll take together, demystifying the world of elder care and providing you with the tools you need to support your loved ones. Navigating these conversations can be challenging. That's why we devote time to discussing the importance of empathy, patience, and involving all family members in these decisions. 
 
I encourage you to understand your elderly loved one's fears and concerns so you can incorporate those feelings into your discussions about the future. Get tips on how to include trusted friends or family members in these conversations, and learn how to foster open communication that empowers your loved ones in their decision-making process.
 
(00:01) Aging Parents' Care Tech Solutions
(00:01) Talking to Aging Parents in Assisted Living
(06:34) Having the Conversation About Assisted Living
(10:37) Fostering Independence and Discussing Senior Care
(18:01) Effective Communication in Caregiving
 
Podcast Resources 
 
Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube
Visit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging Parents
Give me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812

Caring for Your Aging Parents
Season 01 Episode 16
Technology’s Ability to Empower Older Adults with Keren Etkin
 
What if you could use technology to significantly improve the lives of your aging loved ones? Gerontologist and founder of thegerontechnologists.com, Keren Etkin, joins us today to shed light on this exciting and rapidly growing intersection of technology and elder care. We are debunking myths about older adults using technology, discussing the ever-growing realm of age-tech solutions, and stressing the importance of education and training in this sphere.
 
Technology Designed for Seniors
 
We dive right into the fascinating capabilities of Elli Q, a social robot designed to provide companionship and assist with daily tasks for the elderly. Karen gives us a sneak peek into the collaborative efforts of Elli Q with healthcare providers to enhance the health and well-being of older adults. We also touch on the remarkable advancements in age-tech, such as Apple Watch's fall detection feature and iPhone's gate assessment. The conversation takes a spirited turn as we discuss the growing ecosystem of age-tech startups and the potential for big tech companies to contribute positively to this space.
 
Baby Boomers Using Tech
 
The final piece of our chat is dedicated to the impact of the Baby Boomers on tech design and the significance of involving older adults in technology design. We discuss the challenges young designers face when trying to understand the unique needs of aging individuals. Keren shares her valuable insights into the Age-Tech market and we wrap up with personal experiences that have shaped our perspectives on aging. Tune in to this enlightening episode for a deep look into the Age-Tech industry and the importance of addressing the needs of older adults in technology design.
 
(00:01) Aging Parents' Care Tech Solutions
(04:38) Elli Q
(09:42) Innovative Age Tech for Aging Parents
(18:36) Baby Boomers' Impact on Tech Design
 
Podcast Resources 
 
Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube
Visit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging Parents
Give me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812

Caring for Your Aging Parents
Season 01 Episode 15
Preserving Family Legacies with Aviva from Family Love Letters
 
Inspired by a heartfelt letter from her late father, our guest Aviva from Family Love Letters embarked on a mission to capture the essence of family stories. She founded "Family Love Letters," a service that provides a timeless keepsake of stories, wisdom, and values. Aviva has graciously shared her journey with us, detailing her process of conducting comfortable phone interviews with the elderly to generate these treasured family love letters.
 
Why Preserve Your Family Memories?
 
We delved into the significance of preserving family memories through these tangible letters, putting to rest the misconception that younger generations aren’t interested. Quite the contrary, we found that these pieces of family history are deeply cherished by all, stimulating deeper conversations and connections. We underscore the importance of initiating this preservation process before it's too late. Sadly, many experience regret when precious stories are lost to time.
 
The Impact Behind Leaving the Legacy of Your Story
 
Our lively discussion with Aviva and Lynn explored future collaborations and the profound impacts of letter writing and storytelling. Both agree on the joy and value storytelling brings to the writer and the recipient. It was a laughter-filled, inspiring conversation that may well be the spark to preserving your family's legacy. This episode of Caring for your Aging Parents is a testament to the power of family stories, and the love letters that beautifully encapsulate them.
 
(00:01) Capturing Family Stories
(12:15) Preserving Family Stories Through Letters
(17:54) Preserving Family Stories and Legacies
(28:36) Future Collaboration on Storytelling With Lynn
 
Podcast Resources 
 
Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube
Visit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging Parents
Give me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812

Caring for Your Aging Parents
Season 01 Episode 14
Revolutionizing Health and Wellness for Seniors and Individuals with Parkinson's: A Conversation with Bennett from Total HealthWorks
 
Can exercise be enjoyable and life-enhancing for seniors? Bennett from Total HealthWorks answers this question with a resounding 'yes'. As a guest in our podcast, he unveils the revolutionary digital health platform that's changing the way seniors, especially those with Parkinson's disease, view and approach their health and wellness. The secret lies in a blend of brain workouts and physical exercises, facilitated through online classes that cater to various levels of functionality. Even those with disabilities aren't left out, with modifications in the program to allow for inclusive participation.
 
Virtual Senior Fitness Program
 
Imagine a fitness program that is not only effective but also fun, social, and devoid of the stress of commuting to a gym. That's Total HealthWorks for you. Bennett highlights how the program's success is built on a unique community aspect, fostering a sense of camaraderie and enjoyment. He underscores the need to love your exercise routine and stay committed to it – a sentiment we echo wholeheartedly. But it's not just about the workout; the program's accessibility plays a pivotal role in its success. With online classes, fitness is no longer a chore or a distant gym away but just a click away.
 
Personalized Health and Lifestyle Programs for Seniors
 
Beyond the workouts, Total HealthWorks takes it a step further with one-on-one coaching and personalized programs to enhance sleep, nutrition, hydration, and overall quality of life. Bennett shares compelling stories of clients who have reduced their pain levels and increased function, simply by improving lifestyle habits. He extends an invitation to our listeners to try out their two-week free trial and experience the transformation. His approach to health and wellness demystifies and simplifies the process, making it accessible for older individuals. Tune in to discover how you can support your loved ones in leading a healthier, happier life.
 
(00:22) Improving Health in Senior Adults
(11:40) Benefits of Total Healthworks Program
(20:41) Improving Health and Wellness Program
(25:55) Simplified Approach to Health and Wellness



Podcast Resources 
 
Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube
Visit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging Parents
Give me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812

Caring for Your Aging Parents
Season 01 Episode 13
Strategies for Leveraging Life Insurance Insurance Cash-Outs for Elderly Care with Lisa Rehburg
 
Have you ever wondered about ways to ensure long-term care for your elderly loved ones without breaking the bank? Our special guest, Lisa Rehburg, an expert in life insurance policies with her company Rehburg Life Insurance Settlements, unveils how seniors can unlock the potential of their life insurance policies to fund extended or long-term care. A must-listen for those in their 50s and older, this episode is a trove of invaluable information about the regulated process of cashing in life insurance policies and its significant benefits, especially when health and well-being are a primary concern.
 
Cashing Out Life Insurance Policies to pay for Senior Care
 
When it comes to deciding whether to cash out a life insurance policy, the details can be overwhelming. Lisa, however, skillfully untangles the complexities for us. From discussing the types of policies that can be sold to talking through the potential uses of the cashed-out funds, she also provides guidance on how to approach these discussions with your parents. With a free consultation process up her sleeve and a couple of pieces of good news to share, Lisa's advice is sure to enrich your understanding.
 
Accessing Funds for Senior Care
 
Lastly, we delve into the often murky waters of accessing funds for elderly care. Lisa's practical advice on understanding different policy types to the art of navigating conversations with loved ones about the process is guaranteed to guide you every step of the way. We also explore the how-to of cashing in a life insurance policy for seniors with Lisa's expert guidance. A lesson packed with a wealth of information, this is an episode you wouldn't want to miss.
 
Using a Knowledgeable Life Insurance Broker
 
Lisa has been in the insurance industry for over 30 years. Before she started her own insurance agency, she worked in corporate running sales teams nationwide. She found that working with seniors assisting them with life insurance settlements for their care was more rewarding so she made the move to build her own insurance brokerage. Having a passion for helping advisors and their clients, selling life insurance to fund senior care is a solution which continues to increase in relevance, as our senior population grows.
 
(00:23) Elderly Care Life Insurance Cash Out
(11:49) Insurance for Older Clients and Health
(16:17) Understanding Life Insurance Policy Cash Outs
(26:04) Accessing Money for Elderly Care
 
Podcast Resources 
 
Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube
Visit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging Parents
Give me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812

Caring for Your Aging Parents
Season 01 Episode 12
Navigating the Maze of Memory Care and Dementia
 
Navigating the intricacies of dementia and memory care facilities can feel like trying to solve a complex puzzle with missing pieces. In this episode, I give you my best professional advice to navigate these complexities on my latest podcast episode, offering insights that can help in finding the missing pieces of memory care. 
 
Why Your Senior May Not Be Accepted at a Skilled Nursing Care Facility
 
I delve into the different types of dementia, its four stages, and why skilled nursing facilities might not accept individuals diagnosed with the condition. In addition, I also underscores the importance of seeking a diagnosis and managing symptoms effectively.
 
How to Find a Suitable Memory Care Facility for Your Senior
 
Continuing on this enlightening journey, we explore the process of locating a suitable memory care facility for aging parents with dementia. You'll learn about the transformative potential of the Montessori method in memory care and get tips on finding resources in your area. 
 
I also delve into the nitty-gritty of financing the care costs and talk about options like private pay or long-term care insurance. In the midst of all these, I always emphasize the importance of self-care for caregivers. Regardless of where you are on your caregiving journey, this episode is sure to provide you with invaluable insights and resources.
 
Podcast Resources 
Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube
Visit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging Parents
Give me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812