Solving Life's Next Chapter Podcast - Cutting Edge Information for Your Powerful Senior Years Lydia Wietsma and Sheryl Keeme

In today's episode of "Solving Lifes Next Chapter", we speak with Andi Ravenscroft, LNHA, CDAL Director of Client Relations with NOD Specialists, and Bernie Wahl with Vikor Scientific biotechnology company; both have been on the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases.  They bring us up-to-date information for the families of Arizona and their Senior loved ones. 
Bernie explains that this particular virus has changed and we have learned so much more than when we first were introduced to it months ago. The information is changing week by week, day by day and sometimes even hour by hour. 
Both Bernie and Andi explain that the best way to help prevent the virus from spreading is by using the CDC guidelines of washing your hands often, not touching your face, keeping a mask on in public, and keeping social distance. 
We learn that the virus needs a keyhole to get into the body and that is through the nasal cavity.  It then goes into the lungs and causes respiratory issues.   
Bernie's company has been giving a test for COVID, and although there haven't been enough test kits throughout the country, the labs do not want to have "Fear testing".  The testing that is currently being administered are for Seniors 65+ of age and have compromised immune systems with the signs of the respiratory problems.   The test is a nasal swab and takes 24 hours to find out if you are positive or negative.  Bernie's company also tests for 22 viruses which include 15 bacteria and 1 fungus, because the company has discovered that 79.1% of positive patients have other viruses or bacteria along with COVID. Having the panel of testing is beneficial to the patients because some of these other viruses or fungi that come with COVID can be cured with antibiotics even if there is no cure for COVID.  COVID itself has to run through your body and your own immune system needs to fight it off.
Andi explains to us how to best protect your Senior loved ones within Senior communities.  Social distancing is best if you live with a Senior or if your Senior lives in a community with other Seniors.   Andi explains that we need to ask our Senior communities what they are doing to protect our loved ones?  what can we do as a family to help?  What is the protocol for your community if someone is positive?  How are you keeping my loved one safe from employees that are coming and going?   As Andi explains the virus can live on a surface for up to 3 days, so washing door handles and countertops is really important. 
Another fact that Andi has explained that some of the symptoms of the virus for some patients have a lack of taste and smell.  So keep an eye out for your senior loved ones with some of these systems.  Protection is your best bet for a healthy living whether that is living at home with a Senior or living in a Senior community.

Keeping safe during this time is so important and Andi reminds us we are part of the solution such as social distancing and not touching your face, and there are many resources for you and your loved one.  If you or someone you love have symptoms and want to get tested, speak to your health care provider

If you or someone you know does have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact
Andi Ravenscroft Nod Specialist Practice Phone Number 602-551-8052 Email: aravenscroft@nodmd.com Triage line - https://www.nodmd.com/quickscreen/
Bernie Wahl www.vikorscientific.com 854.429.1069

In today's, "Solving Life's Next Chapter" we speak with Sarah Perkins with Lawyers Title of Arizona.  Sarah breaks down why  Arizona is still one of the most affordable places to live and if we truly are in a  "BUBBLE". 

In order to understand affordability, we have to look at what is happening across the country and locally. Affordability is measured nationally but felt local, here in Arizona:
*AZ is a top destination
*250-300 new residents a day moving to Phoenix metro area
*The majority of people coming to the greater Phoenix Metro area are leaving southern California, mostly Los Angeles County, and San Diego County. People are leaving NYC, Chicago, Southern CA, Seattle for cheaper living and sunshine. (Slide #1)
*Over 50% of the people moving here are over 55
*People moving here can afford more expensive homes
*52% of incoming people make over $100K a year (slide#2)
https://www.unitedvanlines.com/newsro...
Arizona is running advertising campaigns inviting more and more people to leave the west coast for Arizona and it is working. Our job growth is nearly 2.5 times the rest of the country over the past 20 years. (Slide #3)
https://www.nahb.org/News-and-Economi...
Sarah Explains that when people cannot afford to buy homes or move up when they need a bigger home, we run into some big problems. One of the coolest things about homeownership is the path to wealth. Nothing creates wealth the way homeownership does. (Slide #4)
If our homeownership rates continue dropping as they have over the past 10 years, we have the potential of causing some massive changes to the US economy. The national homeownership rate is around 63%. It is a tough number to move because they are so many Americans. However, when you look at that number, a couple of drops can put us close to the 50% mark. When we as a country hit 50% homeownership rates then it is likely that some of the extra perks of homeownership could go away. When you have a country that is made up of 50% renters, which means the voters will be 50% renters and likely many of the congressmen will be renters. This could affect new policy and adjustments of current policy benefiting homeownership. As homeowners, we love having our values rise but in order for real estate to continue to be 13% of GDP, we need to make it an option for renters to become homeowners, and affordability is the biggest hurdle. (Slide #5)
If a renter expects to stay in the same place for 3-5 years, it is in their best interest to buy. Even if they have to pay a little more than what they could spend on rent, they will come out ahead. Using the example below, if a renter pays about $200 more per month to buy the median home today in Maricopa County, without any increase in value, after 5 years the owner will have $40,000 in equity, and that is based on 0 appreciation. If there is modest appreciation, like 2%, after 5 years that the same homeowner now has $70,000 in equity! (Slide #6)
With all this, really NOW is the time to buy, even if it takes a little longer due to inventory.  
If you would like additional  information on today's podcast, please contact 
Sarah Perkins. Sales Executive
Lawyers Title of Arizona, Inc.
480.707.8946 • sperkins@ltic.com

In today's podcast, “Solving Life’s Next Chapter” we speak to Dr.Vahan Setyan, the first Non-Native American in US history appointed tribal official within the Navajo Nation on Healthcare and economic development. Dr. Vahan Setyan works with state officials, congressmen, senators, and tribal leaders across the country on improving horrific conditions and critical issues within the Native American Communities.
Dr. Vahan Setyan, MS, PhD brings to the podcast a friend and colleague, Cano Sanchez, a tribal member of the Oglala Lakota tribe of South Dakota. Mr. Sanchez is a direct descendant of Crazy Horse, former advisor to the Obama administration on Native Affair's, and whose Mother was the same for the Clinton administration. 
In this podcast, we tackle issues that unfortunately are not usually talked about outside of the Native American communities. Native American communities have been very private and have a lot of culture within their communities. Economic challenges and poor living conditions have caused many Native Americans to live in these conditions. When communities do not have jobs, hope, purpose, or education for their communities, generations stay the same.
Mr. Sanchez discusses the myths about Native American communities being given money (and getting rich) from the Federal Government and casinos. Many of the tribes with gaming are not making the profits that many folks think they are, as gaming is very costly to run and many of these casinos are just breaking even. 
There are very few tribes that are generating enough income for their economic development, but one of those successful tribes are the Salt River Pima. The Salt River Pima tribe has had the foresight to develop and maintain the resources from gaming and land development to help their families. Dr. Vahan explains that this tribe has the resources that many do not. We need to take those ideas to other tribes to help them develop their own infrastructure, educate their children, and help facilitate jobs and resources. Without resources on these tribal lands, many of our Younger Native American families are choosing to leave the tribal lands, this has become an issue for the economic development and the traditions since as many as 80% of youth are leaving. 
Another large population of Native Americans are Veterans. Many of our Veterans within our tribes live in horrific conditions and experience issues such as homelessness, lack of running water, and untreated mental health issues that need to be addressed. These men and women fought for our country and yet they do not have the resources needed. 
There is hope for the future, as Dr. Vahan explains, NOW is the time for both private and public sectors to help our tribal communities develop and grow. Helping our youngest native Americans by educating and developing them, we can work together for a better future and create better healthcare for all Americans, including our Native American families. 
If someone wants to help NOW, one way would be to donate to Operation Peace Project. Operation Peace Project is a 501(c)(3) Utilizing Music, Arts, Entertainment and Media to bolster the awareness and prevention of Suicide, working to instill Healthcare reform and economic development in urban and tribal communities across the United States and Canada. For more information please go to operationpeaceproject.org

Today we speak to Francisco Siervent, Owner of Keystone Law Firm speaking on the 3 Thing missing from Most Living Trust.  Let's dive into these 3 missing items. 

1. Don't Avoid Living Probate - within a living trust, there is verbiage that informs your loved ones if something were to happen and you become incapacitated such as a Stroke, Dementia, Head Injury,  or any other reason you could not make decisions for yourself.  This is called a Guardianship.   A Guardianship is when someone needs to step in and help make decisions for medical,  medication,  or you're all over health and well being.  The other part of this would be a Conservatorship.  A Conservator is someone who would help make financial decisions and help pay for the bills of the loved one. 
In Arizona, we are one of the few states with Mental  Health Power of Attorney.   When someone does not have these documents within their Living Trust, even when they are living,  they would need to go to the  Probate Court and have the  Courts assign a Conservator and Guardian.  This can be very messy and extremely expensive. When coming from another state, check into the Mental Health Power of Attorney's as some state may not require this document.  

2. Doesn't get Created Early Enough - When there is a situation with an urgent problem, such as someone is in Hospice or has been given a  short amount of time to live.  When someone is in this situation, it's hard for a loved one to put a Trust together.  What Fransico explains that when in this situation,  a Will, which is written instructions, is needed.  At this point,  the person will still go to Probate, but the instructions will be in writing so the Probate Courts will at least know what direction to go.  This isn't the most ideal situation, but at least you have something written for the Family, Attorney, and Court to go by.  

3. Too Complicated to update them - Many families who had made Trust years ago, don't think or don't want to get a review because they feel it will take too long, be too expensive, or just don't want to make any more decisions about their Trust.  Francisco explains that it's easier then you think.  Many times you just need to amend the Trust you already have or just add the documents, such as the Mental Health Power.  

Francisco explains that the easiest way to get started either in the beginning or when updating a Trust, start with a  few small steps such as asking these two simple questions, "Who's in Charge" and "Where do my items go".  These questions will at least get you the bare minimum of how to start with a Trust.  Then each year start to add more to your Trust.  Francisco's law firm, Keystone Law meets with their families yearly like a CPA to go over any changes that may have happened in the past year.  Keystone Law Firm is also one of the few Law Offices that guarantee you will not end up in Probate with their yearly checks.   

Please Contact Keystone Law Firm at 480.209.6942
 2701 W Queen Creek Rd #3, Chandler, AZ 85248

In today's podcast, "Solving Life's  Next Chapter," our guest is Dr. Mohamed Teleb MD, a practicing Neurologist and Educator in the Metro Phoenix area.  Dr. Teleb explains what a stroke is and how to identify when someone is experiencing one.  Dr. Teleb explains that the #1 cause of disabilities in the United States is the result of strokes.  Dr. Teleb explains that there are two different types of strokes;  one is a brain bleed, which accounts for only 10-15% of the strokes, whereas 90% of strokes are large vessel strokes which cause more issues and are the most devastating.  Either stroke is a potential danger and in this podcast, Dr. Teleb will explain how to identify them and why it is important to identify them early.   

Dr. Teleb explains that we have approximately 80,000 strokes per year in the United States and it cost 79 Billion Dollars every year, and that number is going up. This number is new cases of strokes and it affects millions of Americans every year.   

Dr. Teleb and his group of doctors have trials they have worked on to help identify strokes early so patients can get the help they need quickly.  Because as Dr. Teleb explains, getting a stroke patient in earlier will help the outcome of the patient much more and will reduce or eliminate these disabilities. 

Dr. Teleb has an easy way for us to determine whether someone is having a stroke, Let's learn about the FAST VAN program.

F- Face (drooping of the face)

A-Arm (if you put up both arms,  does one hang lower)

S- Speach (is the speech slurred)

T- Time (time is of the essence with a stroke)

*The faster you get a stroke patient to the doctors and better the outcome!
These are a great way to identify any stroke, however, VAN is a way that you can identify a large vessel stroke which is the most dangerous. 

V-  Vision (are the eyes forced over to the right or left)

A-  Aphasia (is when someone cannot say what a particular item is) 

N- Neglect (ignore your left body)

Aphasia is usually affecting the right side of the patient and the Neglect is usually on the left side of the patient's body.

Dr. Teleb has worked locally with first responders and local hospitals using FAST VAN and this initiative has been a huge success.  This FAST VAN initiative will eventually be national. I invite you to listen in to hear what Dr. Teleb for all the information on how to identify major strokes. 

Dr. Mohamed Teleb
Office #: (480) 412-8080
Fax #: (480) 412-8081
Email: info@strokevan.com

"Dr. Mohamed Teleb is a Neurointerventionalist, and stroke neurologist who is well-known for his expertise in managing and treating patients with acute stroke. He is affiliated with Banner Desert Medical Center, Banner Baywood Medical Center, and Banner University Medical Center."